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{{Short description|American businessman}}
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{{Infobox politician
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
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{{Infobox officeholder
| image = File:President Trump at a Briefing with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (49556365988) (cropped).jpg
| image = File:President Trump at a Briefing with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (49556365988) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Wasserman in 2020
| caption = Wasserman in 2020
| office1 = [[President of the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games|President]] of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee
| office1 = [[President of the Organising Committee for the Olympic Games|President]] of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee
| term_start1 = February 5, 2018
| term_start1 = February 5, 2018
| term_end1 =
| term_end1 =
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| successor1 =
| successor1 =
| leader1 = [[Thomas Bach]]
| leader1 = [[Thomas Bach]]
| birth_name =
| birth_name = Casey Myers
| birth_date = 1974
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|06|28}}
| birth_place =
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], United States
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
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| known_for =
| known_for =
| education =
| education =
| alma_mater = UCLA
| alma_mater = [[University of California, Los Angeles]]
| employer =
| employer =
| occupation = Businessman, philanthropist
| occupation = Businessman, philanthropist
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| spouse = Laura Ziffren
| spouse = Laura Ziffren
| children =
| children =
| parents = Jack Myers<br/>Lynne Wasserman
| relatives = [[Lew Wasserman]] (maternal grandfather)
| relatives = [[Lew Wasserman]] <small>(maternal grandfather)</small>
}}
}}
'''Casey Wasserman''' (born 1974) is an entertainment executive, and sports agent executive who owned the now defunct Arena League [[football team]], the [[Los Angeles Avengers]]. Born '''Casey Myers''', he is the son of the Los Angeles [[socialite]] and [[philanthropist]] Lynne Wasserman and Jack Myers (formerly Meyerowitz). His parents were divorced and he took his mother's [[Married and maiden names|maiden name]], which is also the last name of his famous grandfather [[Lew Wasserman]]. His sister's name is Carol Ann Leif. He is married to [[Film score|movie music]] supervisor Laura Ziffren.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0956341/bio|title=Laura Ziffren|website=IMDb}}</ref> He headed the successful [[Los Angeles bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics|Los Angeles bid]] to host the [[2028 Summer Olympics]] and became president of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mullen |first1=Liz |title=Casey Wasserman |journal=Sports Business Journal |date=10 November 2003 }}</ref>
'''Casey Wasserman''' (born '''Casey Myers'''; June 28, 1974) is an entertainment executive and sports agent executive who owned the now defunct [[Arena Football League]] team the [[Los Angeles Avengers]]. He headed the successful [[Los Angeles bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics|Los Angeles bid]] to host the [[2028 Summer Olympics]] and became president of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Mullen |first1=Liz |title=Casey Wasserman |journal=Sports Business Journal |date=10 November 2003 }}</ref>


==Family background and education==
==Family background and education==
Casey Wasserman is the son of the Los Angeles [[socialite]] and [[philanthropist]] Lynne Wasserman and Jack Myers (formerly Meyerowitz), who are both [[American Jews|Jewish]]. Wasserman's sister is comedian Carol Ann Leif.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dagan|first=Carmel|date=2011-08-19|title=Edie Wasserman dies at 95|url=https://variety.com/2011/film/news/edie-wasserman-dies-at-95-1118041521/|access-date=2022-01-18|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref>
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Wasserman obtained a [[Bachelor of Arts|Bachelor of Arts degree]] in [[Political science|Political Science]] from the [[University of California at Los Angeles]] (UCLA).<ref name=Bruin/> He credits his maternal grandfather, [[Lew Wasserman]], head of [[Music Corporation of America|MCA]], as his greatest teacher. The two would have breakfast together every Saturday and Sunday from the time when Casey was a child to the elder Wasserman's death in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mullen |first1=Liz |title=Casey Wasserman |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2003/11/10/Forty-Under-40/Casey-Wasserman.aspx |publisher=SportsBusiness Journal |accessdate=1 August 2018 |date=10 November 2003}}</ref> The younger Wasserman said, "He was my most valuable resource in terms of information. In broad terms he knew what he wanted to do and I followed in his footsteps." According to a quote from an interview with his father Jack Myers: "'My son changed his name to Wasserman,' Jack Myers told author Dennis McDougal, who wrote 'The Last Mogul,' a biography of Lew Wasserman. 'I said, ‘Casey, first of all everyone will think you’re a fool if you do that. You look like an idiot.’”<ref>{{cite web |title=Casey Wasserman’s L.A. story goes far beyond 2024 Olympic bid |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2017/05/11/casey-wasserman-story-goes-far-beyond-2024-bid.html |publisher=Los Angeles Business Journal}}</ref>After graduation from UCLA, Casey Wasserman worked as an [[Investment banking|investment banker]].<ref name=Bruin>{{cite web|last1=Street |first1=Scott |title=Back to his Roots |url=http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/db/issues/99/10.26/sports.WASSERMAN.html |publisher=Dailt Bruin |date=27 April 2006 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427112640/http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/db/issues/99/10.26/sports.WASSERMAN.html |archivedate=27 April 2006 }}</ref>

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His parents were divorced and he took his mother's [[Married and maiden names|maiden name]], which is also the last name of his famous grandfather, [[MCA Inc.|MCA]] studio executive [[Lew Wasserman]], whom he credits as his greatest teacher. The two would have breakfast together every Saturday and Sunday from the time when Casey was a child until the elder Wasserman's death in 2002.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Mullen |first1=Liz |date=10 November 2003 |title=Casey Wasserman |url=https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2003/11/10/Forty-Under-40/Casey-Wasserman.aspx |website=Sports Business Journal |publisher=Leaders Group}}</ref> The younger Wasserman said, "He was my most valuable resource in terms of information. In broad terms he knew what he wanted to do and I followed in his footsteps."<ref>{{cite web |title=Casey Wasserman's L.A. story goes far beyond 2024 Olympic bid |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/losangeles/news/2017/05/11/casey-wasserman-story-goes-far-beyond-2024-bid.html |publisher=Los Angeles Business Journal}}</ref>

Wasserman obtained a [[Bachelor of Arts|Bachelor of Arts degree]] in [[Political science|Political Science]] from the [[University of California at Los Angeles]] (UCLA).<ref name=Bruin/> After graduation from UCLA, he worked as an [[Investment banking|investment banker]].<ref name=Bruin>{{cite web|last1=Street |first1=Scott |title=Back to his Roots |url=http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/db/issues/99/10.26/sports.WASSERMAN.html |publisher=Dailt Bruin |date=27 April 2006 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427112640/http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/db/issues/99/10.26/sports.WASSERMAN.html |archivedate=27 April 2006 }}</ref>

He is separated from [[Film score|movie music]] supervisor Laura Ziffren Wasserman, whose grandfather [[Paul Ziffren]] was a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] leader and chaired the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics Organizing Committee.<ref>{{cite web|title=Laura Ziffren|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0956341/bio|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Johnson|first=Ted|date=2016-10-13|title=Hillary Clinton's Final L.A. Campaign Fundraiser Will Be at Site Steeped in Hollywood-D.C. History|url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/hillary-clinton-fundraiser-casey-wasserman-lew-wasserman-1201888222/|access-date=2022-01-08|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson|first1=Ted|last2=Patten|first2=Dominic|date=2020-09-05|title=Kamala Harris' Big Hollywood Virtual Fundraiser Rakes In Big Big Bucks; Ryan Murphy, Dana Walden, Chrisette Hudlin, & Laura Shell Organized, Katzenberg & JJ Abrams Co-Hosted|url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/kamala-harris-hollywood-fundrasier-8-million-ryan-murphy-jeffrey-katzenberg-jj-abrams-dana-walden-jennifer-salke-joe-biden-donald-trump-1234571352/|access-date=2022-01-08|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Reich|first=Kenneth|date=June 2, 1991|title=Paul Ziffren, Democratic Power in State, Dies at 77 : Politics: He was credited with rebuilding the party in the '50s. He also was board chairman for '84 Olympics.|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-06-02-mn-458-story.html}}</ref> They have two children.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-06-21|title=Laura Wasserman: From Hollywood to High Point Leaving a Los Angeles Legacy|url=https://sidelinesmagazine.com/general/laura-wasserman-from-hollywood-to-high-point-leaving-a-los-angeles-legacy.html|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Sidelines Magazine|language=en-US}}</ref>


==Arena Football==
==Arena Football==
In 1998, he purchased the [[Los Angeles Avengers]] of the [[Arena Football League (1987–2008)|Arena Football League]] (AFL). He paid about $5 million for the franchise rights. Despite his youth, he was elected chairman of the league. In 2002 he negotiated a groundbreaking national television [[AFL on NBC|partnership]] between the league and [[NBC]] television, as well as the collective bargaining agreement with its players. On Saturday, April 18, 2009, Wasserman sent an email to AFL's ''de facto'' commissioner informing him of his decision to terminate the L.A. Avengers' membership in the Arena Football League.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Farmer|first1=Sam|title=Avengers to fold Arena Football League franchise|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2009/apr/20/sports/sp-avengers20|work=Los Angeles Times|date=20 April 2009}}</ref>
In 1998, Wasserman purchased the [[Los Angeles Avengers]] of the [[Arena Football League (1987–2008)|Arena Football League]] (AFL). He paid about $5 million for the franchise rights. Despite his youth, he was elected chairman of the league. In 2002 he negotiated a groundbreaking national television [[AFL on NBC|partnership]] between the league and [[NBC]] television, as well as the collective bargaining agreement with its players. On Saturday, April 18, 2009, Wasserman sent an email to AFL's ''de facto'' commissioner informing him of his decision to terminate the L.A. Avengers' membership in the Arena Football League.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Farmer|first1=Sam|title=Avengers to fold Arena Football League franchise|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-20-sp-avengers20-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=20 April 2009}}</ref>


==Wasserman (Agency)==
==Wasserman (Agency)==
The same year that he purchased the football team, Casey Wasserman started [[Wasserman Media Group|Wasserman]] (then-called Wasserman Media Group), a sports marketing and talent management company, of which he remains CEO.
The same year that he purchased the football team, Casey Wasserman started [[Wasserman Media Group|Wasserman]] (then-called Wasserman Media Group), a sports marketing and talent management company, of which he remains CEO.


In 2002, WMG acquired the sports marketing and naming-rights company Envision and the action sports marketing and representation firm The Familie, based in Carlsbad, CA.
In 2002, WMG acquired the sports marketing and naming-rights company Envision and the action sports marketing and representation firm The Familie, based in Carlsbad, California.


In 2004, WMG purchased 411 Productions and a few months later relaunched it as Studio 411, a [[sports entertainment]] [[film studio]]. The business was designed to provide financing, obtain sponsorships and arrange distribution in support of original productions.<ref>{{cite web|last1=O'Brein |first1=Sean |title=Wasserman Launches Studio411 - Transworld Business Magazine |url=http://www.twsbiz.com/twbiz/features/article/0%2C21214%2C1028079%2C00.html |publisher=Transworld Business |date=22 May 2006 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060522123304/http://www.twsbiz.com/twbiz/features/article/0%2C21214%2C1028079%2C00.html |archivedate=22 May 2006 }}</ref> The company also made an unsuccessful bid to sign up enough athletes in BMX, skateboarding and freestyle motocross to form PGA-like sanctioning bodies in those sports.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lidz|first1=Franz|title=Extreme Dream Casey Wasserman, grandson of a legendary movie mogul, has become a force in action sports|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2004/04/05/366874/extreme-dream-casey-wasserman-grandson-of-a-legendary-movie-mogul-has-become-a-force-in-action-sports|website=SI.com}}</ref>
In 2004, WMG purchased 411 Productions and a few months later relaunched it as Studio 411, a [[sports entertainment]] [[film studio]]. The business was designed to provide financing, obtain sponsorships and arrange distribution in support of original productions.<ref>{{cite web|last1=O'Brein |first1=Sean |title=Wasserman Launches Studio411 - Transworld Business Magazine |url=http://www.twsbiz.com/twbiz/features/article/0%2C21214%2C1028079%2C00.html |publisher=Transworld Business |date=22 May 2006 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060522123304/http://www.twsbiz.com/twbiz/features/article/0%2C21214%2C1028079%2C00.html |archivedate=22 May 2006 }}</ref> The company also made an unsuccessful bid to sign up enough athletes in BMX, skateboarding and freestyle motocross to form PGA-like sanctioning bodies in those sports.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lidz|first1=Franz|title=Extreme Dream Casey Wasserman, grandson of a legendary movie mogul, has become a force in action sports|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2004/04/05/366874/extreme-dream-casey-wasserman-grandson-of-a-legendary-movie-mogul-has-become-a-force-in-action-sports|website=SI.com}}</ref>


In January, 2006 WMG acquired the NBA and MLB sports agent business of [[Arn Tellem]], a well-known sports agent who joined WMG as well. Several of Tellem's sports agent colleagues also joined the company as part of the deal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wasserman Acquires Tellem Business; SFX Promotes Pelinka|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/100061|website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com}}</ref> Until he retired in June, 2015, Tellem was a principal at the company and ran one of its management groups.<ref name="autogenerated25">{{cite web|last1=Tellem|first1=Arn|title=Arn Tellem: Why I'm making the jump from sports agent to NBA front office|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2015/06/05/arn-tellem-detroit-pistons-sports-agent-nba|website=SI.com}}</ref>
In January 2006, WMG acquired the NBA and MLB sports agent business of [[Arn Tellem]], a well-known sports agent who joined WMG as well. Several of Tellem's sports agent colleagues also joined the company as part of the deal.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wasserman Acquires Tellem Business; SFX Promotes Pelinka|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/100061|website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com}}</ref> Until he retired in June, 2015, Tellem was a principal at the company and ran one of its management groups.<ref name="autogenerated25">{{cite web|last1=Tellem|first1=Arn|title=Arn Tellem: Why I'm making the jump from sports agent to NBA front office|url=https://www.si.com/nba/2015/06/05/arn-tellem-detroit-pistons-sports-agent-nba|website=SI.com}}</ref>


In November 2006, the company acquired [[Association football|soccer]] agency, SFX, in the UK.<ref name=sfxacq>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=183850|title=Wasserman Media Group Acquires SFX Sports Group|publisher=Wasserman Media Group|website=www.prnewswire.co.uk}}</ref> Through that acquisition, WMG came to represent such players as [[Steven Gerrard]], [[Robbie Keane]], [[Jamie Carragher]], [[Michael Owen]], [[Tim Cahill]], [[Jonathan Woodgate]], [[Wes Brown]], [[Scott Parker (footballer)|Scott Parker]], [[Jack Wilshere]], [[Park Ji-Sung]], [[Shay Given]], [[Tim Howard]] and [[Emile Heskey]].
In November 2006, the company acquired [[Association football|soccer]] agency, SFX, in the UK.<ref name=sfxacq>{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=183850|title=Wasserman Media Group Acquires SFX Sports Group|publisher=Wasserman Media Group|website=www.prnewswire.co.uk}}</ref> Through that acquisition, WMG came to represent such players as [[Steven Gerrard]], [[Robbie Keane]], [[Jamie Carragher]], [[Michael Owen]], [[Tim Cahill]], [[Jonathan Woodgate]], [[Wes Brown]], [[Scott Parker (footballer)|Scott Parker]], [[Jack Wilshere]], [[Park Ji-Sung]], [[Shay Given]], [[Tim Howard]] and [[Emile Heskey]].


In June 2007, WMG expanded its consulting and media and property capabilities by purchasing Raleigh, NC-based OnSport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/06/Issue-188/Sports-Industrialists/Wasserman-Media-Group-Acquiring-Gary-Stevensons-Onsport.aspx|title=Wasserman Media Group Acquiring Gary Stevenson's OnSport|website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com}}</ref>
In June 2007, WMG expanded its consulting and media and property capabilities by purchasing Raleigh, North Carolina–based OnSport.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2007/06/Issue-188/Sports-Industrialists/Wasserman-Media-Group-Acquiring-Gary-Stevensons-Onsport.aspx|title=Wasserman Media Group Acquiring Gary Stevenson's OnSport|website=www.sportsbusinessdaily.com}}</ref>


In early 2011, WMG bought London-based media rights manager and advisory firm Reel Enterprises.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.investinuk.net/investmentuk/?p=586|title=US based Wasserman Media Group acquires the UK’s rights manager and advisory firm Reel Enterprises|website=www.investinuk.net}}</ref>
In early 2011, WMG bought London-based media rights manager and advisory firm Reel Enterprises.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.investinuk.net/investmentuk/?p=586|title=US based Wasserman Media Group acquires the UK's rights manager and advisory firm Reel Enterprises|website=www.investinuk.net}}</ref>


That year WMG expanded its golf talent roster by acquiring SFX Golf in April 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/wasserman_growth_continues_with_sfx_golf_purchase/|title=Wasserman growth continues with SFX Golf purchase|publisher=}}</ref>
That year WMG expanded its golf talent roster by acquiring SFX Golf in April 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/wasserman_growth_continues_with_sfx_golf_purchase/|title=Wasserman growth continues with SFX Golf purchase|date=12 April 2011 |publisher=}}</ref>


In 2016, Wasserman Media Group rebranded as Wasserman and is frequently referred to as "Team Wass".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2016/02/17/wasserman-undergoes-rebrand-reflect-its-evolution-just-sports/|title=Wasserman undergoes rebrand to reflect its evolution from just sports}}</ref>
In 2016, Wasserman Media Group rebranded as Wasserman and is frequently referred to as "Team Wass".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2016/02/17/wasserman-undergoes-rebrand-reflect-its-evolution-just-sports/|title=Wasserman undergoes rebrand to reflect its evolution from just sports}}</ref> In 2021, he acquired Paradigm Agency's music business.<ref>[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/paradigm-agrees-to-sell-music-division-to-wasserman-4077739/]</ref> In 2023, Wasserman bought legendary management production company, Brillstein Entertainment Partners.<ref>[https://variety.com/2023/film/news/wasserman-acquisition-brillstein-entertainment-partners-1235726005/]</ref>


==LA 2028 Olympic Organizing Committee==
==LA 2028 Olympic Organizing Committee==
Casey Wasserman successfully led [[Los Angeles]]' [[Los Angeles bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics|bid]] for the [[2028 Summer Olympics]] and will head the city's Olympic organizing committee.
Casey Wasserman successfully led [[Los Angeles]]' [[Los Angeles bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics|bid]] for the [[2028 Summer Olympics]] and will head the city's Olympic organizing committee.


In 2015, the [[USOC]] selected Los Angeles as the American applicant for the [[2024 Summer Olympics]] after withdrawing [[Boston]]'s [[Boston bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics|bid]]. In an August 29, 2015, article in the Los Angeles Times, Wasserman, advocating the city of Los Angeles to bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics without specific provisions to protect the city from cost overruns, is quoted saying "The city and the council and the communities need to be engaged and supportive. Otherwise, we won't be successful regardless."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-olympics-meeting-20150829-story.html|title=L.A. City Council again pushes pause button on Olympic bid commitment|first=David|last=Wharton|date=28 August 2015|publisher=|via=LA Times}}</ref> In 2017, the IOC decided to award the hosts of both the 2024 and 2028 Summer Olympics. At the [[131st IOC Session]], [[Paris]] was selected to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, with Los Angeles being selected to host the 2028 Summer Olympics.
In 2015, the [[United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee|USOC]] selected Los Angeles as the American applicant for the [[2024 Summer Olympics]] after withdrawing [[Boston]]'s [[Boston bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics|bid]]. Wasserman commented: "We live in a democracy. The city and the council and the communities need to be engaged and supportive, otherwise we won't be successful regardless." In 2017, the IOC decided to award the hosts of both the 2024 and 2028 Summer Olympics. At the [[131st IOC Session]], [[Paris]] was selected to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, with Los Angeles being selected to host the 2028 Summer Olympics. The LA bid was praised by the IOC for using a record-breaking number of existing and temporary facilities and for relying entirely on corporate funding.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-makes-historic-decision-by-simultaneously-awarding-olympic-games-2024-to-paris-and-2028-to-los-angeles |title=IOC makes historic decision by simultaneously awarding Olympic Games 2024 to Paris and 2028 to Los Angeles |work=[[International Olympic Committee]] |date=September 13, 2017 |accessdate=October 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717195141/https://www.olympic.org/news/ioc-makes-historic-decision-by-simultaneously-awarding-olympic-games-2024-to-paris-and-2028-to-los-angeles |archive-date=July 17, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1078621/los-angeles-2028-releases-privately-funded-balanced-budget-for-olympic-and-paralympic-games|title = Los Angeles 2028 releases "privately-funded, balanced budget" for Olympic and Paralympic Games}}</ref>

===Anti-racism and the International Olympic Committee===
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On June 19, 2020, Wasserman reportedly wrote the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) President Thomas Bach to advocate for changes to be made to the controversial Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter which states: "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Soshnick |first1=Scott |title=L.A. Olympic Chair Wasserman Asks IOC President to Repeal Rule That Bars Advocacy |url=https://www.sportico.com/leagues/other-sports/2020/casey-wasserman-ioc-president-letter-thomas-bach-1234610389/ |accessdate=31 July 2020 |publisher=Sportico |date=31 July 2020}}</ref> In the letter, Wasserman urged the IOC to amend the guidelines that support Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter to allow anti-racist advocacy on the Olympic stage and stated “Being anti-racist is not political.”<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wharton |first1=David |title=L.A. Olympic officials ask IOC to allow athlete protests |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/story/2020-07-31/la-olympic-officials-ask-ioc-allow-athlete-protests |accessdate=31 July 2020 |work=The Los Angeles Times |date=31 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Iveson |first1=Ali |title=Los Angeles 2028 chief Wasserman joins calls for Rule 50 to be amended |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1096899/casey-wasserman-rule-50 |accessdate=1 August 2020 |publisher=Inside the Games |date=1 August 2020}}</ref>


President Bach refuted the suggestion in an [[op-ed]] for ''[[The Guardian]]'' titled "The Olympics are about diversity and unity, not politics and profit. Boycotts don't work, and athletes should be politically neutral."<ref>{{cite web |last=Bruton|first=Michelle|title=IOC President Thomas Bach: Olympics 'Are Not About Politics,' Athletes Should Be Politically Neutral At Games|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/michellebruton/2020/10/26/ioc-president-thomas-bach-olympics-are-not-about-politics-athletes-should-be-politically-neutral-at-games/|access-date=2022-01-08|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Bach|first=Thomas|date=2020-10-23|title=The Olympics are about unity and diversity, not politics and profit. Boycotts don't work {{!}} Thomas Bach|url=http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/oct/24/the-olympics-are-about-diversity-and-unity-not-politics-and-profit-boycotts-dont-work-thomas-bach|access-date=2022-01-08|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref>
===Anti-Racism and the IOC===
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On June 19th 2020, Wasserman reportedly wrote the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) President Thomas Bach to advocate for changes to be made to the controversial Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter which states: "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Soshnick |first1=Scott |title=L.A. Olympic Chair Wasserman Asks IOC President to Repeal Rule That Bars Advocacy |url=https://www.sportico.com/leagues/other-sports/2020/casey-wasserman-ioc-president-letter-thomas-bach-1234610389/ |accessdate=31 July 2020 |publisher=Sportico |date=31 July 2020}}</ref> In the letter, Wasserman urges the IOC to amend the guidelines that support Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter to allow anti-racist advocacy on the Olympic stage and stated “Being anti-racist is not political.”<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wharton |first1=David |title=L.A. Olympic officials ask IOC to allow athlete protests |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/story/2020-07-31/la-olympic-officials-ask-ioc-allow-athlete-protests |accessdate=31 July 2020 |publisher=The Los Angeles Times |date=31 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Iveson |first1=Ali |title=Los Angeles 2028 chief Wasserman joins calls for Rule 50 to be amended |url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1096899/casey-wasserman-rule-50 |accessdate=1 August 2020 |publisher=Inside the Games |date=1 August 2020}}</ref>


==Other activities==
==Political activities==
⚫
Wasserman co-chaired a fundraiser for [[Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, 2016|Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign]] on August 22, 2016.<ref name="bhcourierhillaryclintonfundraisersmagicjohnson">{{cite news|title=Hillary Clinton Fundraisers Coming to Beverly Hills|url=http://bhcourier.com/beverly-hills-news-hillary-clinton-fundraisers-coming-to-beverly-hills/|accessdate=August 5, 2016|work=The Beverly Hills Courier|date=August 3, 2016|archive-date=February 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225041349/https://beverlyhillscourier.com/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Wasserman acts as President and [[Chief executive officer|Chief Executive Officer]] of the Wasserman Foundation, a [[charitable organization]] founded by Lew Wasserman and his wife Edie in 1952.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Wasserman Foundation - About the Foundation |url=http://www.wassermanfoundation.org/wf/history.html |date=9 December 2006 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20061209050536/http://www.wassermanfoundation.org/wf/history.html |archivedate= 9 December 2006 }}</ref> While Casey Wasserman's sports agency is vocal on social media about issues of police brutality, racial inequality, and social justice, the Wasserman Foundation is a major contributor to the Los Angeles Police Foundation:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wassermanfoundation.org/giving/}}</ref>, before all names and pictures were removed from the site during the summer of 2020, Casey Wasserman's picture was listed on the "Who We Are" page for the Los Angeles Police Foundation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/NOlympicsLA/status/1267194862400495616?s=20}}</ref> He sits on two of the [[Motion Picture and Television Fund]]'s three boards of directors - the MPTF Corporate Board<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mptvfund.org/cm/about-us/board-of-directors/corp-board-of-directors.html|title=(MPTF Corporate Board)|publisher=}}{{Dead link|date=November 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and the MPTF Foundation Board.<ref>[https://archive.today/20130415100912/http://www.mptvfund.org/cm/about-us/board-of-directors/foundation-board-of-directors.html(MPTF Foundation Board)]</ref> In an April 13, 2009, article in the Los Angeles Times, Wasserman is quoted as having explained that the decision of the MPTF Boards to close its hospital and transfer its elderly long-term care residents would "allow [the MPTF] to thrive for generations."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Verrier|first1=Richard|title=Plan to close nursing home for film workers stirs emotions|url=https://articles.latimes.com/2009/apr/13/business/fi-ct-wasserman13|work=Los Angeles Times|date=13 April 2009}}</ref>


==Personal life==
⚫
Wasserman co-chaired a fundraiser for [[Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, 2016|Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign]] on August 22, 2016.<ref name="bhcourierhillaryclintonfundraisersmagicjohnson">{{cite news|title=Hillary Clinton Fundraisers Coming to Beverly Hills|url=http://bhcourier.com/beverly-hills-news-hillary-clinton-fundraisers-coming-to-beverly-hills/|accessdate=August 5, 2016|work=The Beverly Hills Courier|date=August 3, 2016}}</ref>
On March 1, 2003, [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] reported that Wasserman was among several other high profile attendees aboard [[Jeffrey Epstein]]'s Boeing 727, since dubbed the "[[Lolita Express]]", on a "mission to explore the problems of AIDS and economic development in Africa". Epstein was later revealed to have committed sex trafficking.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ward |first1=Vicky |title=The Talented Mr. Epstein |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2003/03/jeffrey-epstein-200303 |website=Vanity Fair |publisher=Condé Nast |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref>


==See also==
*[[2028 Summer Olympics]]


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://sports.espn.go.com/los-angeles/nfl/news/story?id=6057997 ESPN Casey Wasserman Story February 2011]
* [https://www.espn.com/los-angeles/nfl/news/story?id=6057997 ESPN Casey Wasserman Story February 2011]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20021221183445/http://www.laavengers.com/aboutus_casey.php Avengers website bio (cached)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20021221183445/http://www.laavengers.com/aboutus_casey.php Avengers website bio (cached)]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20030124191359/http://www.jsei.org/About/about_jules_cwasserman.htm Biography from Jules Stein Eye Institute]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20030124191359/http://www.jsei.org/About/about_jules_cwasserman.htm Biography from Jules Stein Eye Institute]
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Arena Football League executives]]
[[Category:Arena Football League executives]]
[[Category:Jewish American philanthropists]]
[[Category:American philanthropists]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:American sports agents]]
[[Category:American sports agents]]
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[[Category:Philanthropists from California]]
[[Category:Philanthropists from California]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games]]
[[Category:Presidents of the Organising Committees for the Olympic Games]]
[[Category:21st-century American Jews]]

Latest revision as of 22:19, 7 November 2024

Casey Wasserman
Wasserman in 2020
President of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 5, 2018
LeaderThomas Bach
Preceded byTony Estanguet
(Paris 2024)
Personal details
Born
Casey Myers

(1974-06-28) June 28, 1974 (age 50)
Los Angeles, California, United States
SpouseLaura Ziffren
RelativesLew Wasserman (maternal grandfather)
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles
OccupationBusinessman, philanthropist

Casey Wasserman (born Casey Myers; June 28, 1974) is an entertainment executive and sports agent executive who owned the now defunct Arena Football League team the Los Angeles Avengers. He headed the successful Los Angeles bid to host the 2028 Summer Olympics and became president of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee.[1]

Family background and education

[edit]

Casey Wasserman is the son of the Los Angeles socialite and philanthropist Lynne Wasserman and Jack Myers (formerly Meyerowitz), who are both Jewish. Wasserman's sister is comedian Carol Ann Leif.[2]

His parents were divorced and he took his mother's maiden name, which is also the last name of his famous grandfather, MCA studio executive Lew Wasserman, whom he credits as his greatest teacher. The two would have breakfast together every Saturday and Sunday from the time when Casey was a child until the elder Wasserman's death in 2002.[3] The younger Wasserman said, "He was my most valuable resource in terms of information. In broad terms he knew what he wanted to do and I followed in his footsteps."[4]

Wasserman obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA).[5] After graduation from UCLA, he worked as an investment banker.[5]

He is separated from movie music supervisor Laura Ziffren Wasserman, whose grandfather Paul Ziffren was a Democratic Party leader and chaired the Los Angeles 1984 Summer Olympics Organizing Committee.[6][7][8][9] They have two children.[10]

Arena Football

[edit]

In 1998, Wasserman purchased the Los Angeles Avengers of the Arena Football League (AFL). He paid about $5 million for the franchise rights. Despite his youth, he was elected chairman of the league. In 2002 he negotiated a groundbreaking national television partnership between the league and NBC television, as well as the collective bargaining agreement with its players. On Saturday, April 18, 2009, Wasserman sent an email to AFL's de facto commissioner informing him of his decision to terminate the L.A. Avengers' membership in the Arena Football League.[11]

Wasserman (Agency)

[edit]

The same year that he purchased the football team, Casey Wasserman started Wasserman (then-called Wasserman Media Group), a sports marketing and talent management company, of which he remains CEO.

In 2002, WMG acquired the sports marketing and naming-rights company Envision and the action sports marketing and representation firm The Familie, based in Carlsbad, California.

In 2004, WMG purchased 411 Productions and a few months later relaunched it as Studio 411, a sports entertainment film studio. The business was designed to provide financing, obtain sponsorships and arrange distribution in support of original productions.[12] The company also made an unsuccessful bid to sign up enough athletes in BMX, skateboarding and freestyle motocross to form PGA-like sanctioning bodies in those sports.[13]

In January 2006, WMG acquired the NBA and MLB sports agent business of Arn Tellem, a well-known sports agent who joined WMG as well. Several of Tellem's sports agent colleagues also joined the company as part of the deal.[14] Until he retired in June, 2015, Tellem was a principal at the company and ran one of its management groups.[15]

In November 2006, the company acquired soccer agency, SFX, in the UK.[16] Through that acquisition, WMG came to represent such players as Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen, Tim Cahill, Jonathan Woodgate, Wes Brown, Scott Parker, Jack Wilshere, Park Ji-Sung, Shay Given, Tim Howard and Emile Heskey.

In June 2007, WMG expanded its consulting and media and property capabilities by purchasing Raleigh, North Carolina–based OnSport.[17]

In early 2011, WMG bought London-based media rights manager and advisory firm Reel Enterprises.[18]

That year WMG expanded its golf talent roster by acquiring SFX Golf in April 2011.[19]

In 2016, Wasserman Media Group rebranded as Wasserman and is frequently referred to as "Team Wass".[20] In 2021, he acquired Paradigm Agency's music business.[21] In 2023, Wasserman bought legendary management production company, Brillstein Entertainment Partners.[22]

LA 2028 Olympic Organizing Committee

[edit]

Casey Wasserman successfully led Los Angeles' bid for the 2028 Summer Olympics and will head the city's Olympic organizing committee.

In 2015, the USOC selected Los Angeles as the American applicant for the 2024 Summer Olympics after withdrawing Boston's bid. Wasserman commented: "We live in a democracy. The city and the council and the communities need to be engaged and supportive, otherwise we won't be successful regardless." In 2017, the IOC decided to award the hosts of both the 2024 and 2028 Summer Olympics. At the 131st IOC Session, Paris was selected to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, with Los Angeles being selected to host the 2028 Summer Olympics. The LA bid was praised by the IOC for using a record-breaking number of existing and temporary facilities and for relying entirely on corporate funding.[23][24]

Anti-racism and the International Olympic Committee

[edit]

On June 19, 2020, Wasserman reportedly wrote the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach to advocate for changes to be made to the controversial Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter which states: "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."[25] In the letter, Wasserman urged the IOC to amend the guidelines that support Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter to allow anti-racist advocacy on the Olympic stage and stated “Being anti-racist is not political.”[26][27]

President Bach refuted the suggestion in an op-ed for The Guardian titled "The Olympics are about diversity and unity, not politics and profit. Boycotts don't work, and athletes should be politically neutral."[28][29]

Political activities

[edit]

Wasserman co-chaired a fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign on August 22, 2016.[30]

Personal life

[edit]

On March 1, 2003, Vanity Fair reported that Wasserman was among several other high profile attendees aboard Jeffrey Epstein's Boeing 727, since dubbed the "Lolita Express", on a "mission to explore the problems of AIDS and economic development in Africa". Epstein was later revealed to have committed sex trafficking.[31]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Mullen, Liz (November 10, 2003). "Casey Wasserman". Sports Business Journal.
  2. ^ Dagan, Carmel (August 19, 2011). "Edie Wasserman dies at 95". Variety. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
  3. ^ Mullen, Liz (November 10, 2003). "Casey Wasserman". Sports Business Journal. Leaders Group.
  4. ^ "Casey Wasserman's L.A. story goes far beyond 2024 Olympic bid". Los Angeles Business Journal.
  5. ^ a b Street, Scott (April 27, 2006). "Back to his Roots". Dailt Bruin. Archived from the original on April 27, 2006.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. ^ "Laura Ziffren". IMDb.
  7. ^ Johnson, Ted (October 13, 2016). "Hillary Clinton's Final L.A. Campaign Fundraiser Will Be at Site Steeped in Hollywood-D.C. History". Variety. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  8. ^ Johnson, Ted; Patten, Dominic (September 5, 2020). "Kamala Harris' Big Hollywood Virtual Fundraiser Rakes In Big Big Bucks; Ryan Murphy, Dana Walden, Chrisette Hudlin, & Laura Shell Organized, Katzenberg & JJ Abrams Co-Hosted". Deadline. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  9. ^ Reich, Kenneth (June 2, 1991). "Paul Ziffren, Democratic Power in State, Dies at 77 : Politics: He was credited with rebuilding the party in the '50s. He also was board chairman for '84 Olympics". Los Angeles Times.
  10. ^ "Laura Wasserman: From Hollywood to High Point Leaving a Los Angeles Legacy". Sidelines Magazine. June 21, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2022.
  11. ^ Farmer, Sam (April 20, 2009). "Avengers to fold Arena Football League franchise". Los Angeles Times.
  12. ^ O'Brein, Sean (May 22, 2006). "Wasserman Launches Studio411 - Transworld Business Magazine". Transworld Business. Archived from the original on May 22, 2006.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  13. ^ Lidz, Franz. "Extreme Dream Casey Wasserman, grandson of a legendary movie mogul, has become a force in action sports". SI.com.
  14. ^ "Wasserman Acquires Tellem Business; SFX Promotes Pelinka". www.sportsbusinessdaily.com.
  15. ^ Tellem, Arn. "Arn Tellem: Why I'm making the jump from sports agent to NBA front office". SI.com.
  16. ^ "Wasserman Media Group Acquires SFX Sports Group". www.prnewswire.co.uk. Wasserman Media Group.
  17. ^ "Wasserman Media Group Acquiring Gary Stevenson's OnSport". www.sportsbusinessdaily.com.
  18. ^ "US based Wasserman Media Group acquires the UK's rights manager and advisory firm Reel Enterprises". www.investinuk.net.
  19. ^ "Wasserman growth continues with SFX Golf purchase". April 12, 2011.
  20. ^ "Wasserman undergoes rebrand to reflect its evolution from just sports".
  21. ^ [1]
  22. ^ [2]
  23. ^ "IOC makes historic decision by simultaneously awarding Olympic Games 2024 to Paris and 2028 to Los Angeles". International Olympic Committee. September 13, 2017. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved October 4, 2019.
  24. ^ "Los Angeles 2028 releases "privately-funded, balanced budget" for Olympic and Paralympic Games".
  25. ^ Soshnick, Scott (July 31, 2020). "L.A. Olympic Chair Wasserman Asks IOC President to Repeal Rule That Bars Advocacy". Sportico. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  26. ^ Wharton, David (July 31, 2020). "L.A. Olympic officials ask IOC to allow athlete protests". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  27. ^ Iveson, Ali (August 1, 2020). "Los Angeles 2028 chief Wasserman joins calls for Rule 50 to be amended". Inside the Games. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  28. ^ Bruton, Michelle. "IOC President Thomas Bach: Olympics 'Are Not About Politics,' Athletes Should Be Politically Neutral At Games". Forbes. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  29. ^ Bach, Thomas (October 23, 2020). "The Olympics are about unity and diversity, not politics and profit. Boycotts don't work | Thomas Bach". the Guardian. Retrieved January 8, 2022.
  30. ^ "Hillary Clinton Fundraisers Coming to Beverly Hills". The Beverly Hills Courier. August 3, 2016. Archived from the original on February 25, 2022. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  31. ^ Ward, Vicky. "The Talented Mr. Epstein". Vanity Fair. Condé Nast. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
[edit]
Sporting positions
Preceded by President of Organizing Committee for Summer Olympic Games
2028 		Succeeded by
TBD
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