Abby Wambach Exits Wasserman Agency Amid Epstein Scandal, Calls for CEO's Resignation
Former US women's national team soccer icon Abby Wambach has publicly announced her departure from the Wasserman talent agency, citing revelations from the Jeffrey Epstein files. In a bold statement, she has demanded the resignation of agency founder and LA 2028 Olympics CEO, Casey Wasserman, following the disclosure of his email correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell.
Wambach's Decisive Move and Statement
Wambach, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup champion, shared her decision on Instagram this Wednesday, marking her as the first prominent sports figure to cut ties with Wasserman since the emails came to light. She expressed that her choice was driven by personal values and gut instinct after reviewing the correspondences.
"I read Casey Wasserman's correspondences in the Epstein files. I know what I know, and I am following my gut and my values," Wambach wrote. "I will not participate in any business arrangement under his leadership. I also need to say this: I'm grateful to my agent, who I've known for almost 20 years and trust."
She added, "Casey should resign. He should leave, so more people like me don't have to. I am unclear of my next steps. That's OK with me, I just know where I can't be."
Background and Agency Impact
Wambach had been represented by Wasserman for at least 15 years, spanning her illustrious 15-year career that ended in 2015, during which she scored 184 international goals, ranking second all-time. Post-retirement, she has authored two books and co-hosts a podcast with her wife, Glennon Doyle.
Her departure follows several musical artists, including pop star Chappell Roan, who have also severed connections with the agency. Wasserman represents a vast array of athletes and celebrities across sports and entertainment, with soccer clients including USWNT stars Mallory Swanson, Sophia Wilson, Naomi Girma, and retired player Alex Morgan, as well as men's players like Weston McKennie and Fede Valverde.
Epstein Files and Wasserman's Response
Documents released by the US government last month included flirtatious email exchanges between Casey Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell from 2003. In response, Wasserman issued an apology on January 31, expressing deep regret for the correspondence, which he stated occurred before Maxwell's crimes were known.
"I deeply regret my correspondence with Ghislaine Maxwell," he said, "long before her horrific crimes came to light. I never had a personal or business relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. As is well documented, I went on a humanitarian trip as part of a delegation with the Clinton Foundation in 2002 on the Epstein plane. I am terribly sorry for having any association with either of them."
Maxwell was convicted in 2021 on five counts of sex trafficking and abuse of minors, receiving a 20-year prison sentence, while Epstein's death in 2019 was ruled a suicide after his indictment on federal sex-trafficking charges.
Fallout and Calls for Resignation
Although Casey Wasserman has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing by Epstein's victims, he faces mounting pressure to step down from his roles as CEO of the agency and chair of the LA 2028 Olympics organizing committee. The Wall Street Journal reported that the committee has convened a meeting to address his status.
The agency's extensive roster also includes top players in the NFL, NBA, WNBA, and MLB, alongside actors such as Brad Pitt and Adam Sandler, highlighting the broader implications of this scandal within the sports and entertainment industries.
