laufey: Mayor Bass Says Wasserman Should Step Down From 2028 Olympic Leadership

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Monday (ET) that Casey Wasserman should step down as chair of the nonprofit organizing the 2028 Summer Games, reversing an earlier stance that left the decision to that board. Her comments come as the board’s executive committee has completed a review and chosen to keep Wasserman in his role, and as local elected officials press for clarity and accountability.

Why Bass changed course

Bass told an interviewer that she found it "unfortunate" that the Olympic organizers continue to support Wasserman following revelations that he exchanged flirtatious emails two decades ago with Ghislaine Maxwell, who was later convicted in connection with the abuse of teenage girls. The mayor said she delayed publicly taking a position while the board considered the matter, but that her view has shifted.

"My opinion is that he should step down, " Bass said. She added that city leaders must reassess the leadership of the organizing body to ensure the city is fully prepared to host the Games. Bass emphasized the importance of public trust in the people overseeing an event of this scale and said the association, even if it dates back many years, does not reflect well.

The mayor’s comments mark a notable shift from her earlier posture, when she declined to weigh in and deferred to the board’s authority. That earlier restraint was grounded in the idea that the nonprofit’s governing members should lead any personnel decisions tied to the Games’ organization.

LA28 board response and political fallout

The executive committee of the organizing board conducted a review with outside counsel and determined it would keep Wasserman as chair, citing his leadership role in advancing the Games. The committee said it took allegations seriously and that Wasserman fully cooperated with the review. The executive committee is a smaller body within the broader, 35-member board and has not publicly disclosed its full membership.

The review was assisted by outside counsel, and the committee concluded that the facts and Wasserman’s recent stewardship justified his continuation in the post. Wasserman has publicly apologized for the correspondence and expressed regret for any association with Maxwell and financier Jeffrey Epstein, noting that the exchanges occurred before Maxwell’s crimes became known.

Still, at least 10 area politicians have called for his resignation, representing a significant chunk of local elected leaders who view the matter as a distraction from Games preparation. Members of the city council and other officials say the controversy could cloud the city’s ability to deliver on logistics, safety, and community commitments tied to the Olympics.

One council member challenging Bass in the upcoming mayoral race has been among those urging removal, highlighting how the issue has intersected with local political dynamics. Bass has also named three appointees to the executive committee, signaling the municipal government’s continued engagement in oversight of the Games’ planning.

What’s next for Wasserman and the Games

Wasserman announced last week that he would sell his sports and entertainment company amid the backlash over the email exchanges. The organizing body and Wasserman have not offered further comment about whether additional steps will follow the executive committee’s review.

With less than a decade to go until the Games, city officials stress the need for stable leadership and unimpeded preparations. That includes ensuring coordination across municipal departments, labor partners, and community stakeholders. Bass signaled that her priority is having a Games leadership team that commands public confidence and is focused squarely on execution.

As the debate continues, officials and board members face pressure to explain their decision-making and to demonstrate how they will prevent distractions from derailing planning. Whether Wasserman remains in place long term may depend on further developments, including ongoing political pressure and decisions by private entities tied to his business holdings.