Mellody Hobson Exits LA28 Olympics Board Amid Calls for Reform

Mellody Hobson, the wife of George Lucas and co-founder of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, resigned from her position on the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics board on Thursday. This occurred just days prior to the museum's scheduled opening on September 22. Her departure marks the latest challenge faced by the 35-member LA28 Olympics board, overseen by Casey Wasserman. According to a reviewed internal email, Hobson's reason for leaving was the burdensome demands and responsibilities placed upon her by the Lucas Museum.

Hobson and the Lucas Museum have been the subject of scrutiny from the Fair Games Coalition, an advocacy group that has been advocating for reforms in the 2028 Olympics. Their concerns primarily revolve around housing stability and job opportunities for working-class Angelenos. The group has called for the inclusion of union jobs and affordable housing during the event, as well as a ban on short-term rentals like Airbnb, and protection for immigrants during the Olympics.

The coalition argues that mega events like the Olympics should have a positive impact on the host city's residents, particularly the workers involved. However, they point to the failure of such events in recent decades, citing cost overruns of more than 100% and permanent displacement of poor residents in most host countries. The Fair Games Coalition has not yet provided further comment on the matter.