The sports and entertainment agency formerly known as Wasserman Group, now rebranded as The Team, has been on the market since February 2026 following reputational damage linked to founder Casey Wasserman's past email exchanges with Ghislaine Maxwell from 2003. Despite losing several notable clients such as singer Chappell Roan and retired soccer star Abby Wambach, the agency continues to operate with a strong roster representing prominent athletes like NFL players Maxx Crosby and Geno Smith, NBA star Klay Thompson, and WNBA standout Paige Bueckers. Recently, the firm expanded by acquiring Provisions Golf, a long-established agency representing YouTube golf influencers Grant Horvat and the Bryan brothers.

The sale process, overseen by Moelis & Co., has significantly narrowed since its inception, with initial interest from over 100 parties trimmed down to about six serious bidders. A major factor limiting potential buyers is the conflict of interest tied to private equity firms that have stakes in professional sports teams, which complicates owning an agency representing athletes in those leagues. This regulatory and ethical concern has sidelined top private equity groups like KKR, Apollo, and Silver Lake, while TA Associates has formally exited the bidding process.

Among the remaining contenders are Patrick Whitesell and Jason Lublin, two former Endeavor executives who have founded Win Sports Group and are contemplating a bid potentially in collaboration with private equity investors. Whitesell and Lublin are in discussions with interested PE firms but have yet to decide on participation or partnerships. Other active bidders include Permira, United Talent Agency (UTA), backed by EQT, and Excel Sports Management, owned by a Goldman Sachs subsidiary since November 2025. Providence Equity Partners, which holds approximately 60% ownership of The Team, remains flexible on whether to sell its stake or hang on depending on deal terms.

Current bids for The Team have reportedly reached $3 billion or more, with the company aiming for a single comprehensive transaction rather than piecemeal sales. As the process moves forward, interested buyers will receive further financial disclosures, although the timeline for final bids remains uncertain. The Team has not commented publicly on the sale, and representatives from involved parties including Moelis & Co. have declined to provide statements. This sale highlights ongoing challenges in sports agency transactions where private equity involvement intersects with league ownership regulations.