This article is about the American cable television pioneer. For the historian of Russia, see Robert V. Daniels. For others sharing this name, see William Daniels (disambiguation).Robert W. "Bill" Daniels (July 1, 1920 - March 7, 2000) was a pioneer in the cable television industry, commonly known as the "father of cable television." He was an owner of the Los Angeles Lakers and a founder of the United States Football League (USFL).