In early 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice released more than three million pages of documents under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, fulfilling a legal requirement to make long-withheld records relating to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his network of contacts public. These files include emails, correspondence and other material mentioning a range of public figures — including several connected to the sports world.
It’s important to emphasize that no one should be assumed guilty of any crime simply because their name appears in these documents; many references reflect brief professional or social exchanges rather than evidence of misconduct.
Among the most discussed figures is Steve Tisch, co-owner and chairman of the NFL’s New York Giants. Tisch’s name appears hundreds of times, reportedly at least 440, in emails from 2013 that were included in the release. Some exchanges referenced introductions to women and social contexts, but Tisch has stated publicly that he never visited Epstein’s private island and that his interactions were limited to “adult women” , movies, philanthropy and investments, all of which he struggles to reconcile with Epstein’s later crimes. In response, the NFL announced that it would review the communications under its personal conduct policy.
Another high-profile name in the sports world mentioned in the documents is Casey Wasserman, Chairman of The Organizing Committee for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. Emails from 2003 between Wasserman and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s convicted associate, featured flirtatious language that Wasserman now says he “deeply regrets.” He has denied any business or personal relationship with Epstein himself, other than taking part in a 2002 humanitarian trip on Epstein’s plane organized by the Clinton Foundation. Local political leaders have called for Wasserman’s resignation based on the revelations, although the International Olympic Committee has underlined that no official investigation has concluded any misconduct.
The files also contain mentions of other sports owners and executives, although context varies widely and timing often predates widespread public knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. Emails reportedly show attempts by Epstein to arrange meetings with Todd Boehly, owner of Chelsea Football Club and part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Lakers, in 2011 while Boehly was a managing director at Guggenheim Partners. According to the reports, those interactions were attempts at a professional introduction rather than social arrangements. Similarly, David Tepper, owner of the Carolina Panthers, appears in a small number of references, but there is no evidence of personal interaction with Epstein beyond being mentioned in an email chain.
Beyond direct communications, the documents also show peripheral mentions of other athletic figures. NFL quarterback Russell Wilson publicly denied any association with Epstein after his name surfaced in an email concerning an attempt to purchase a Gulfstream jet. A broker reportedly tried to sell Wilson the plane and referenced its Epstein ownership. Wilson asserted he never met or spoke with Epstein and was unaware of the plane’s connection to him.
What these disclosures make clear is that being named in the documents does not equate to involvement in criminal behaviour. Many mentions reflect routine social or professional contact years before Epstein’s crimes became widely known, and several individuals have publicly stated they regret any association. Law enforcement and league officials continue to review the files, but as of now, no athlete has been charged or formally accused of crimes related to Epstein’s trafficking conspiracy.
The ongoing public discussion reflects broader questions about accountability, reputation and the responsibilities of public figures whose names surface in these releases. In each instance, accurate reporting and clear context remain essential to avoid conflating presence in a file with proof of wrongdoing.