Mellody Hobson quits LA28 Olympic board ahead of Lucas Museum debut

Mellody Hobson, the Ariel Investments co-CEO and co-founder of the Lucas Museum, announced her resignation from the LA28 Olympic Games organizing committee. She cited a desire to focus on the museum’s launch, scheduled for Sept. 22, after a series of community-focused events. LA28 has been mired in controversy over ticket pricing, security costs, transportation plans, and the continued chairmanship of Casey Wasserman, whose relationship with convicted trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell has drawn criticism.

Hobson’s exit comes as the Fair Games Coalition, a left-wing activist group, has intensified protests demanding union jobs, immigrant protections, and low-income housing tied to the Olympics. The coalition plans to demonstrate again at the museum’s opening gala, which will be co-chaired by Tom Cruise, Greta Gerwig, Steven Spielberg, Guillermo del Toro and Pharrell Williams. The LA28 board also includes entertainment and sports leaders such as Jeffrey Katzenberg, Jeanie Buss and Jessica Alba, while recent political appointments of Reince Priebus and Kevin McCarthy have sparked local backlash.