PARADIGM: WASS UP

Sports and media exec Casey Wasserman is in talks to purchase Paradigm, and the deal is nearly done, according to people close to the situation.

Sam Gores’ beleaguered agency has been the subject of nonstop speculation since it rejected a $300m merger deal with UTA last year, and the rumors got louder at the top of the pandemic, when across-the-board 50% pay cuts reportedly caused ferment among top agents—including key players Tom Windish and Marty Diamond. Gores’ billionaire financier brother, Tom, recently stepped in to write a big check, de-escalating the conflict.

Wasserman, grandson of iconic entertainment exec Lew Wasserman, started the sports marketing and talent-management entity Wasserman Media Group in 1998; it rebranded as Wasserman (aka Team Wass) in 2016. He headed the successful L.A. bid for the 2028 Olympics and leads the organizing committee. Wasserman has extraordinary reach and relationships.

A deal with him would enable Paradigm to remain independent. It’s thought that Wasserman is a good fit for the company, and most of the key agents are said to be on board. Paradigm would considerably expand the reach of Team Wass with such music clients as Ed Sheeran, Billie Eilish and Coldplay.