The future of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is facing a significant leadership challenge as calls mount for Casey Wasserman to resign as chairman of the LA28 organizing committee. The pressure stems from recently surfaced emails revealing a flirtatious correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell, a former girlfriend of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass publicly stated on , during a CNN interview, that, “My opinion is that he should step down.” While acknowledging she lacks the direct authority to remove Wasserman – that power rests with the LA28 board – Bass’s statement represents a notable shift in her position and adds considerable weight to the growing chorus demanding his departure. “fire [Wasserman],” Bass told CNN, but emphasized her belief that a change in leadership is necessary.
The controversy erupted after the release of U.S. Government files containing the emails just days before the opening of the Milan Cortina Winter Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has largely deferred to the LA28 board to address the issue, though IOC spokesperson Mark Adams indicated a slight shift in their stance on , stating, “I understand there are many conversations happening at this moment but I will not make any further comment. This represents obviously a matter for the board of LA28 still at this stage.”
Despite the public outcry and the mayor’s urging, the LA28 board’s executive committee last voted to retain Wasserman in his position, following a review conducted by outside legal counsel regarding his contacts with Epstein and Maxwell. Bass publicly criticized this decision as “unfortunate,” signaling a clear disconnect between the city’s leadership and the Olympic organizing committee.
The fallout from the revelations extends beyond the Olympic arena. Wasserman, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry and founder of a leading talent agency, is now in the process of selling that agency. The agency has already begun to experience repercussions, losing clients such as pop star Chappell Roan and soccer star Abby Wambach in the wake of the email release.
Wasserman himself acknowledged “personal mistakes” in a memo to employees last , specifically referencing the provocative emails sent to Maxwell. The emails, however, are at the center of the broader concerns about judgment and suitability to lead a major international event like the Olympics.
The situation highlights the complex governance structure of the LA28 Olympics. While Los Angeles is the host city and financial backstop for the Games, the organizing committee operates as a private nonprofit, granting it significant autonomy. This structure limits the mayor’s direct influence over personnel decisions.
Several Los Angeles-area state lawmakers have also called for Wasserman to step aside, adding to the political pressure. The controversy raises questions about the vetting process for key leadership positions within the LA28 organization and the potential for reputational damage to the Games themselves.
The timing of this crisis is particularly sensitive, with the Olympics less than two years away. Organizers are facing the immense task of preparing the city for the influx of athletes, media, and tourists, and a leadership dispute could disrupt those preparations. The focus now shifts back to the LA28 board, which will determine whether to reconsider its support for Wasserman in light of the escalating pressure from the mayor and other stakeholders.
Bass emphasized her commitment to ensuring Los Angeles is “completely prepared to have the best Olympics that has ever happened in Olympic history,” but acknowledged her focus differs from that of the LA28 board. The mayor’s public stance underscores the gravity of the situation and the potential for lasting consequences for the Los Angeles Games.
