LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman said he will not resign after Epstein files revealed emails he exchanged with Ghislaine Maxwell, while insisting he speaks weekly with Mayor Karen Bass and pointing to the Games’ momentum ahead of a key ticketing push.
For months, the pressure built in public and in private: politicians, including major names from his talent agency, called on Casey Wasserman to step aside as chairman of LA28 after emails he exchanged with Ghislaine Maxwell were revealed in the Epstein files in February.
On Thursday, though, Wasserman made his position plain. Asked if he considered resigning. he responded. “No and yes.” When the question shifted to whether he has spoken with Mayor Karen Bass—one of several local officials who have called for his resignation—Wasserman said they talk weekly. if not more.
“Our conversations are between us,” Wasserman said in his first public comments in months. “They continue to be thoughtful and productive with a completely shared vision on delivering the greatest Games for the city and our community.”
Bass is in the middle of a closely watched primary fight for a second term. She has already advanced to November’s runoff. where reality TV personality Spencer Pratt and City Councilmember Nithya Raman are battling for the second spot on the ballot. California is also set to elect a new governor. with Republican Steve Hilton and Democrat Xavier Becerra leading the heated race.
Wasserman tied the issue of leadership change to something the LA28 effort has already weathered. He pointed out the local organizing committee has seen four different presidential administrations since the bid began in 2015.
“Transitions of politics, whether they happen or not, is part of the world we live in,” Wasserman said. “And we have been able to and expect to fully continue to have great relationships with local. state and federal partners. It can’t be dependent on the person there. it has to be dependent on the relationship and the connectivity we have. and our team has done a great job of maintaining that.”.
Wasserman was selected to oversee the Olympics by former Mayor Eric Garcetti. After his name surfaced in the Epstein files, he largely kept a low profile. The controversy arrived during the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games. where Wasserman participated in a mandatory presentation to International Olympic Committee members but did not make additional public comments.
In the weeks that followed. he put his talent agency up for sale. and several local politicians called for him to step down. The LA28 executive committee backed him instead. releasing a statement of support after an outside investigation. citing “the strong leadership he has exhibited over the past 10 years.”.
This week, IOC members visiting Los Angeles for a regular coordination commission meeting provided another display of confidence. “This was the best CoCom ever,” said Nicole Hoevertsz, chair of the IOC coordination commission for LA28. “The team is ready. The Games are on track and the Games are in the safe hands of a very qualified and a very capable team.”.
Hoevertsz and IOC Olympic Games executive director Christophe Dubi spoke in praise during their seventh coordination commission visit since LA28 was awarded the Games in 2017. They pointed to LA28’s sponsorship totals and record-setting ticket sales as signs that the 2028 Olympics are well on track.
The organizing committee has signed $2 billion in sponsorship and licensing deals, placing its $2.5 billion target within reach. Domestic sponsorship money is expected to be the largest revenue source for what LA28 has promised to be a privately funded Games.
Ticketing and hospitality are expected to become the second-largest source of revenue, aimed at covering the total $7.1 billion budget. LA28’s first ticket drop earlier this year drew more than 4 million tickets sold, and a second ticket drop will begin in August.
Fans who have not previously registered can still register at tickets.la28.org to enter the lottery until July 22. In these early stages of ticket sales, fans purchase tickets within general sections of venues rather than specific seats. LA28 CEO Reynold Hoover said that as more details emerge about seating arrangements for each venue. fans will receive their seat assignments.
He compared the approach to what happened with the FIFA World Cup. where FIFA appeared to create a new ticket category two months before the tournament began—frustrating fans who had already paid hundreds of dollars for what they believed were prime seats. Hoover said LA28 would not repeat that kind of move.
“We’re not pulling a bait and switch on you,” Hoover told The Times.
Hoover said LA28 is watching FIFA’s operations. especially transportation plans for spectators. while recognizing the difference in scale: LA28 will take on eight World Cup matches in Los Angeles. while the 2028 Olympic Games will be the largest in history with almost 11. 000 athletes. That event will be followed by the longest Paralympic Games in history and the first Paralympics in Los Angeles.
Casey Wasserman LA28 Epstein files Ghislaine Maxwell Karen Bass IOC coordination commission 2028 Olympics sponsorship deals ticket sales Reynold Hoover