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Essentials Inside The Story

  • Newly released Epstein Files documents reveal Russel Wilson's connection to the late financier
  • Wilson bought a private jet after leaving Seattle
  • Multiple names from the NFL are uncovered in the latest batch of Epstein Files

The Epstein files released on Friday continue to hit more big names in the NFL. This time, a correspondence thread included quarterback Russell Wilson from his Seattle Seahawks days. However, he was quick to set the record straight.

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“NOPE!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT! Not TODAY, Satan!” Wilson wrote on X, clearing his involvement, or the lack thereof, with Epstein. “Some Random plane broker tried to sell me a plane. I had no idea whose plane it was and never bought the plane. Never talked to or never met the man. Thank God!!!”

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Epstein used to own a Gulfstream G-IV. However, after he bought a Boeing 727 with multiple custom features around 2001, he wanted to sell his previous plane. That’s where Wilson comes in.

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According to the Justice Department emails, Epstein had permitted Visoski to fly the plane for Wilson. They also mention the QB taking photos and videos with Ciara. Reportedly, just two days later, Wilson was approached with an offer to buy the plane.

Reportedly, the flight would have taken place nearly two months after the Miami Herald published its first installment in “Perversion of Justice,” which covered allegations against Epstein and his connections to powerful people.

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In the released documents, Wilson is named in email correspondence dating back to Sunday, January 27, 2019, between Epstein and his longtime pilot of 30 years, Larry Visoki. They mention that the QB was nudging a plane broker named Gary for the purchase.

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The correspondence sent to and from Epstein had details of the deal taking place before they were presented to Wilson. More notably, the terms suggest Wilson wanted to keep it discreet as his contract negotiations with the Seahawks were ongoing at the time.

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Back in April 2019, the negotiations between the Seahawks and Wilson reached a historic conclusion. The new deal was for four years and $140 million, with $107 million guaranteed, and included a no-trade clause. At $35 million per year, the extension made Wilson the highest-paid player in the NFL, passing Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers at that time.

The files further explain that Wilson aimed to secure the aircraft only after finalizing his agreement with the Seahawks, fearing the purchase could complicate talks. To navigate that concern, they outlined a creative structure built around discretion, including an option-based framework with specific non-refundable payments tied to upgrades and maintenance.

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Specifically, the proposed terms listed a possible purchase price of $3.2M, with the buyer covering a CPDLC Fans1A upgrade costing around $300k non-refundable, along with monthly engine care and veneer repairs. Later, an alternative option, allowing 90 days extension to close at $2.7M to “save his contract concerns,” emerged for a non-refundable price of $500k.

However, the released files provide no evidence that Russell Wilson ever bought the jet from him or maintained any deeper relationship with Epstein. Records from the Federal Aviation Administration were not immediately available to show what happened to Epstein’s Gulfstream jet.

Epstein was charged with s– trafficking in the Southern District Court of New York less than six months after the email exchange, and died in August of 2019 in his prison cell. However, Wilson did buy a plane later on.

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Wilson purchased a 2000 Gulfstream G-IV Private Jet

The veteran quarterback used to be a big shot at one point in the NFL. To match his status, he did not completely step back from buying a private jet. When the Seahawks traded him to the Denver Broncos after the 2021 season, he landed in the Mile High City in his own 2000 Gulfstream G-IV Private Jet along with agent Mark Rodgers.

The FAA records list the official owner as Wilson’s company, West2East 330 LLC, based in downtown Seattle. The aircraft was registered to the company in December 2020. The plane that can seat upto 15 people was worth $26 million at the time of its production, but averaged around $2.8 million when Wilson bought it. The plane costs around $1 million to $2 million a year to operate.

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It is important to note that who Wilson bought the plane from is not known. Moreover, with Wilson denying any connections to Epstein, it is likely that he did not purchase the plane from his broker.

With the emails only revealing how it was a business connection between the two, the NFL will probably also not take any action against Wilson, according to its Personal Conduct Policy.

The Policy states that any NFL personnel, be it players, coaches, or others associated with the game, are obligated to uphold “high character.” It also mentions that they have to refrain from “conduct detrimental to the integrity of and public confidence in the NFL.”

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While Wilson might be safe, there were other names from the NFL present in the documents released this Friday.

Russell Wilson’s former bosses named in the Epstein Files

Just as Russell Wilson’s name drew attention, other NFL-linked figures also surfaced in the newly released Epstein files. One of them is Steve Tisch, the co-owner and chairman of the New York Giants, whose name appeared at least 440 times across the documents.

In response, the Big Blue executive addressed the connection directly, saying, “We had a brief association where we exchanged emails about adult women, and in addition, we discussed movies, philanthropy, and investments,” as part of a statement released Friday.

However, Tisch went further to distance himself from Epstein and made his stance clear.

“I did not take him up on any of his invitations and never went to his island. As we all know now, he was a terrible person and someone I deeply regret associating with.”

Meanwhile, the longtime Giants’ leader, known for producing films like “Forrest Gump” and “Risky Business,” saw most of his correspondence tied to the period around 2013.

The late Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen also appeared in several email exchanges. In those messages, Epstein repeatedly expressed interest in meeting or speaking with the Microsoft co-founder.

Apart from that, the Washington Commanders co-owner Josh Harris, the Carolina Panthers owner, David Tepper, the Miami Dolphins owner, Stephen Ross, and the New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, had their names appear on the Epstein Files, adding yet another layer to the growing list of NFL-linked names. But as far as Wilson is concerned, he might be in the safe, as long as the NFL sees it that way.

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Written by

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Pritish Ganguly

2,195 Articles

Pritish Ganguly is an NFL writer at EssentiallySports, recognized for his ability to highlight the league’s emerging talent by breaking down rookie performances, draft picks, and key matchups with sharp, insightful analysis. With a Master’s degree in Journalism and Communication, he brings clarity and depth to his coverage, helping fans understand the nuances of today’s NFL and its rising stars. Beyond writing, Pritish is a multifaceted content creator, proficient in sports photography, scriptwriting, and video editing. He uses these skills to produce engaging NFL stories that resonate with a wide audience. His analytical approach and creative storytelling combine to deliver comprehensive coverage of the league’s talent and trends.

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Kinjal Talreja

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