Casey Wasserman slammed The Daily Mail on Tuesday for a publishing a report detailing claims about his personal life — allegations that covered everything from infidelity to sleeping with a staffer at his company — in what marked his first public comments since article hit on Aug. 1.
“Well, I guess consider the source,” the mogul told CNBC Squawk Box anchor Andrew Ross Sorkin during a conversation focused on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics during the CNBC x Boardroom Game Plan Summit inside Santa Monica’s Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows. “If The Daily Mail qualifies as reporting, then I guess we’re all in trouble. But we live in a day and age where people can say whatever they want without facts, without cooperation, without sources, and it’s the world we live in.”
The moment delivered a fair amount of tension during what was otherwise a lively discussion focused on the preparation, logistics, atmosphere, celebration and athleticism to come when Los Angeles stages the Olympics in four years. Wasserman, who serves as LA28 president and chairperson, was seated alongside Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, actress and entrepreneur Jessica Alba, who sits on the LA28 board of directors, and Team USA managing director Grant Hill during one of the summit’s final panel discussions of the afternoon.
In broaching the subject, Sorkin called it “a tough question” and said he was acknowledging “the elephant in the room.” He even noted that during the fallout of the report, it was reported that high-profile Wasserman Music client Billie Eilish exited the firm. Though Wasserman did not address Eilish or any other impact it had on his business, he did say, “The wind hits the tall trees.” The Daily Mail’s report cited 11 sources, all anonymous, who claimed that Wasserman was a “serial cheater” who often love-bombed women during their relationships.
Then asked point blank whether he plans to stay in his role as the guru of the games, Wasserman revealed that his status remains unchanged. “I’m going to do my job and do it to the end because that’s a commitment I made,” he said. “I think I’m the one who’s got the most invested and [who is] most capable of delivering the result we need for the city. As the mayor can tell you, as Jess can tell you, and Grant can tell you, if you don’t want to have shots taken, you shouldn’t do what any of us are doing.”
Sorkin responded to the answer by saying, “I appreciate you taking on the question.”
More to come.
Casey Wasserman, Jessica Alba, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and Grant Hill at CNBC x Boardroom’s Game Plan Summit at Fairmont Miramar Hotel and Bungalows in Santa Monica.
Jordan Strauss/NBC
