EXCLUSIVE:A besiegedCasey Wassermanis back inLos Angelesfrom the WinterOlympicsin Italy as the backlash from theLA28chief’s lurid emails in the Epstein files intensifies and revolts emerge on multiple fronts. The revelations of Wasserman’s intimate exchanges with deceased pedophile Epstein’s convicted procurer Ghislaine Maxwell finds the scion of Hollywood royalty facing unrest among the Olympics board and a trusted ally is now a contender to take over organizing the 2028 Summer Games in L.A.

Former House Speaker and current LA28 board memberKevin McCarthy‘s name has been raised as a potential replacement for Wasserman as Olympic chair, at least in the interim, I’m told.

Nothing is etched in stone as there are still deep concerns among key participants on and off the board that the onetime Bakersfield congressman lacks any real executive experience besides his short and unsuccessful 239-day stint as Speaker of the House. However, as some chafe at the prospect of the Republican becoming the frontman of LA28, McCarthy is also viewed as the best bulwark so far against the anticipated wrath ofDonald Trumpover new-ish pal Wasserman being pushed overboard.Watch on Deadline

Along with being able to keep much needed federal funds still flowing to the 2028 Games (which cost $7.15 billion and rising), McCarthy also is in a unique bipartisan position.

Tight with POTUS after being the first GOPer to re-embrace Trump in the aftermath of the January 6, 2021 MAGA mob attack on the Capitol, McCarthy also has a close personal friendship with L.A. MayorKaren Bassout of their years together in California’s congressional delegation.

Alternatively, LA28 board member and ex-L.A. Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and LA28 Organizing Committee CEO Reymond Hoover are also being floated as possible substitutes for Wasserman, sources say of an extremely “volatile” situation. Hiking up the Trump Team quota, McCarthy was named to the LA28 board in November of last year. First Trump term chief of staff Reince Priebus, big Trump donor Diane Hendricks, Dallas Mavericks owner Patrick Dumont, and former Trump personal banker Ken Moelis were also perched on the LA28 board by Wasserman at the same time.

The former Speaker did not respond to requests from Deadline for comment on him taking over at LA28. Reps for LA28, which has the likes of McCarthy, Buss, ex-Labor Secretary Eliane Chao, Jeffrey Katzenberg and Jessica Alba on its board, were also radio silent. As others spoke of a change in the works, one individual close to events was adamant there was “zero” truth to McCarthy or anyone else stepping into Wasserman’s Olympics gig.

Yet very real rumblings among the handpicked board and outside pressures come as Wasserman is working the phones and personal power-player relationships in hyperdrive in attempts to mitigate the Epstein fallout. Already, big-name clients likeChappell Roan, and today country singer Orville Peck, haveditched the music division of his company over the latest disclosuresand a conflict of “moral values.” Things seem to be getting shaky too at Brillstein Entertainment, which wasacquired by the ambitious Wasserman in late 2023.

In the most recent blow, Wasserman earlier today was removed from Telemundo’s February 12 Playmakers event. The exec’s name was absent from an updated invite to the NBCUniversal gathering of “sports leaders” at Universal Studios. “We were informed by his office that unfortunately he’s no longer available to join us at The Playmakers event,” a Telemundo spokesperson told Deadline.

Outside of the biz, the reelection-seeking and circumspect Bass has said Wasserman’s LA28 fate isultimately up to the board. Beyond the incumbent mayor, there have been calls by a number of other top local L.A. politicians, including newly filed mayoral candidate and City Council member Nithya Raman, for the exec to resign before he becomes more of a “distraction.”

Source: Drudge Report