Senior executives across Formula 1, football, and the NFL maintained contact with Jeffrey Epstein after his 2008 conviction for a sex offence. Newly released documents reveal emails and text messages between the financier and prominent sports figures. These communications occurred years after Epstein’s guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor. Consequently, the files contradict some individuals’ previous claims of distancing themselves. The documents also show discussions about potential business deals involving Epstein. Being named in the files does not indicate wrongdoing. However, it reveals the extent of his network within elite sports circles. The revelations place renewed scrutiny on the associations of powerful figures in global sport.
The documents include correspondence with former FIA president Jean Todt. Emails show Todt visited Epstein’s New York home in 2017. After the meeting, Todt wrote it was “nice to get to know you” and invited Epstein to contact him in Europe. Similarly, Crystal Palace co-owner Josh Harris emailed Epstein in 2013, thanking him for a breakfast invitation. Harris later stated he was “very happy to catch up” in 2016. New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch also exchanged emails with Epstein, including one where Tisch asked about a woman Epstein mentioned, inquiring “is she fun?” These interactions demonstrate sustained relationships long after Epstein’s criminality was a matter of public record.
Formula 1 Connections: Todt and Briatore
The files highlight two significant F1 figures. Jean Todt, the former Ferrari team principal and FIA president, engaged with Epstein as late as 2017. An email from Epstein to an associate called Todt an “odd guy” after their meeting. Todt’s initial introduction to Epstein came via Norwegian diplomat Terje Rod-Larsen in 2013. Furthermore, former Renault team principal Flavio Briatore is referenced. A 2010 email indicates Briatore wanted to speak with Epstein, whom Epstein later called “my Italian friend.” Briatore was also mentioned in a property discussion involving Epstein and Lord Mandelson. These connections show Epstein’s reach into the highest levels of motorsport governance and management, with relationships enduring for years.
Football Investors and Their Communications
Several high-profile football investors appear in the documents. Crystal Palace and Philadelphia 76ers investor Josh Harris communicated with Epstein multiple times. A spokesperson for Harris stated he “never had an independent relationship” and sought to prevent a corporate relationship between Epstein and his firm, Apollo. Chelsea chairman Todd Boehly also appears. Emails suggest Epstein sought an introduction to Boehly in 2011, and two meetings may have occurred. Celtic major shareholder Dermot Desmond was mentioned in emails regarding a potential golf resort deal, but his representatives strongly deny any contact or association with Epstein, stating the reference was incidental and without his knowledge.
NFL Owners and League Response
In the NFL, New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch maintained email contact with Epstein. In one 2013 exchange, Epstein offered to bring “the Russian” to a meeting, prompting Tisch’s “is she fun?” query. Tisch has since stated he regrets the association and never visited Epstein’s island. Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross was indirectly involved through billionaire Andrew Farkas, who discussed Ross providing funding for a project co-financed by Epstein. The NFL is now deliberating whether to formally investigate Tisch. Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league would “look at all the facts” and the context of the messages under its personal conduct policy. This places the league in a difficult position regarding one of its most influential owners.
Earlier Associations with Ghislaine Maxwell
The files also detail earlier contact with Epstein’s former partner, Ghislaine Maxwell. Casey Wasserman, chairman of the LA 2028 Olympics, exchanged sexually charged emails with Maxwell in 2003. Wasserman expressed regret for the correspondence, which occurred long before Maxwell’s crimes were known. Former F1 driver Eddie Irvine was introduced to Maxwell’s acquaintances via email. Irvine has previously acknowledged attending Epstein and Maxwell’s parties but said he witnessed no illegal activity. These connections, while predating Epstein’s conviction, illustrate how Maxwell used social and professional networks to facilitate introductions, embedding herself and Epstein within the sports and entertainment elite.
Implications and Ongoing Reckoning
The document release forces a public reckoning for the named individuals and their organizations. While some have issued apologies or clarifications, the associations damage their reputations. For sports leagues and teams, the challenge is balancing the presumption of innocence with upholding ethical standards. The NFL’s potential investigation of Steve Tisch will be a closely watched test case. In football and F1, governing bodies may face pressure to comment on the conduct of influential figures like Todt and Briatore. Ultimately, the files underscore how Epstein cultivated a network of powerful men across industries, including sports. The ongoing scrutiny ensures these relationships will remain under examination, affecting legacy and credibility in the court of public opinion long after Epstein’s death.
