Klosterman Fired as Express Executive
Don Klosterman, president and general manager of the Los Angeles Express since December 1983, has been fired by Harry Usher, commissioner of the United States Football League.
Usher flew from New York to Los Angeles last Thursday to give Klosterman the news.
Klosterman was also told that the remainder of his contract, which runs through Dec. 22, 1985, will not be honored.
Klosterman said he plans to fight back legally.
“That’s why I haven’t gone public with it,” Klosterman said of his firing. “I’m disappointed. I’ve never been out on the street in my life. From that standpoint, it’s somewhat demeaning. But you have to understand that when you deal with this kind of situation, these sorts of things can happen to you.”
The Express has been a unique franchise.
The USFL has been running the ownerless team since February. Each of the other 13 league owners each contributed about $500,000 to keep the Express afloat through the end of the season.
The Express finished with a 3-15 record, tying the worst overall mark in league history.
“Basically, he (Usher) said he didn’t have any more money to pay,” Klosterman said.
Now, with the team being out of business until 1986, when the USFL plans a move to the fall, the front office of the Express has been trimmed to three. Remaining are controller Paul Sandrock; computer operator Jackie Zinkan and telephone receptionist Laura Stuckey.
