USFL Owners Unanimously Agree to Keep Express Going, Says Usher

Harry Usher, incoming commissioner of the United States Football League, said Thursday that the financially troubled Los Angeles Express franchise will be kept afloat by the rest of the USFL--all season, if necessary--until new ownership can be found.

“We’re starting the season with 14 teams and we’ll finish it with 14. We won’t be folding any franchises,” said Usher, former executive vice president of the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee. He officially succeeds Chet Simmons as commissioner today.

Usher said that in an 11-hour meeting Wednesday, the USFL owners unanimously agreed to operate the Express and provide financial aid for the Houston Gamblers franchise as well. “Our teams are financially secure for the 1985 season,” Usher said.

In Simi Valley, Calif., Randy Rosenbloom, sports director at radio station KWNK, quoted “sources knowledgeable with the team” as saying the Express is suffering a severe cash flow problem and that, if a new buyer was not found quickly, the team might fold next week.

But Express General Manager Don Klosterman denied the report, as did Bob Rose, public relations director for the team.

“No, no, it’s definitely not true,” Rose said. “This club is going to play football in Los Angeles this year. It’s unfortuntate that a rumor like this was reported because it casts us (the Express) in an unfortunate light.”

The Express was purchased last October by Jay Roulier, a Denver real estate developer who had been part owner of the USFL’s Houston franchise. Roulier bought the Express after Bill Oldenburg, the club’s original owner, ran into personal financial difficulties.