Robertson Quits Coliseum Panel, Says Others Should

William Robertson, who played a key role in bringing the Raiders to Los Angeles in 1982, lashed out today at members of the Los Angeles Coliseum Commission, calling on them to resign en masse as he announced his own resignation from the panel.

Robertson, a former commission chairman, announced his decision at a news conference at the Los Angeles Press Club, saying he would be “perpetuating a lie” if he remained on the panel.

His resignation came a week after the Raiders announced that they intend to leave the Coliseum for the tiny industrial city of Irwindale, where they hope to begin construction of a stadium by early November.

Robertson, executive secretary of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, refused responsibility for the Raiders’ move to Irwindale and said commission President Alexander Haagen deserved the blame for his “blind leadership.”

“In my judgment, the situation is irreversible and terminal, and the losers are the people of Los Angeles,” Robertson said.

The 66-year-old Robertson said owner Al Davis did not want to move the NFL team.

“Al Davis wanted the Raiders to stay in the Coliseum, and they would have done so if the Coliseum Commission had kept its promises,” he said.

Robertson has been at odds with Haagen, who was appointed to the position by Gov. George Deukmejian two years ago. Robertson was appointed to the commission by Mayor Tom Bradley, a political rival of Deukmejian.

“If Mr. Haagen and the committee members had any self-respect, they would resign,” Robertson said.

Assemblyman Mike Roos (D-Los Angeles) scheduled a news conference for Monday to announce the introduction of legislation to restructure the Coliseum’s management.

“A new governing body is essential if there is to be any hope for survival of the institution,” Robertson said.