Wasserman has successfully finalized its acquisition of CSM Sport & Entertainment. The acquisition, led by Wasserman Chairman & CEO Casey Wasserman and CSM Group CEO Matt Vandrau, enhances Wasserman’s service capabilities and geographic presence in the sports, music, entertainment, and culture sectors. While integrations are still in progress, CSM will continue to operate under its current identity, with a full transition to the Wasserman brand scheduled for 2024.
Casey Wasserman expressed his enthusiasm about the completed acquisition, stating, “The completion of the Wasserman-CSM deal is another exciting and important milestone in Wasserman’s growth as we continue to build a company that serves the best talent, brands, and properties across the world. I, along with the entire Wasserman team, am looking forward to working with Matt Vandrau and his colleagues as part of a world-class management group running a global platform that powers the business of sports, music, entertainment, and culture.”
Matt Vandrau, Group CEO of CSM, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the significance of combining their expertise, saying, “We are hugely excited about the future following the completion of the Wasserman-CSM acquisition. For me, this is more than a sale of our business. It’s the combining of expertise that brings together the brightest and the best in the world of sport, music, entertainment, and culture. This is the start of what will be an incredible new chapter, and I look forward to working alongside Casey and team to ensure sustainable success.”
Wasserman’s journey of expansion dates back to its founding in 2002, marked by strategic growth initiatives and targeted acquisitions. The acquisition of CSM is the twelfth such deal in just the past two years. In a previous high-profile acquisition in 2021, Wasserman acquired Paradigm’s live music division, creating Wasserman Music, which proved instrumental in navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic on the live entertainment industry. In 2022, the company announced a strategic investment by Providence Equity Partners, further solidifying its position as a leading player in the management and marketing space.