A Look at the Challenge to the Angels’ Los Angeles Name in Anaheim and Sacramento
Anaheim Officials Seek Return of Angels Name Amid Ownership Changes
Two decades after Arte Moreno renamed the team from the Anaheim Angels to the Los Angeles Angels, city officials in Anaheim are actively pursuing measures to restore the original name. Assemblyman Avelino Valencia, representing the district that includes Angel Stadium, has introduced state legislation aimed at requiring any future sale or lease of the stadium to include a condition mandating the team revert to the Anaheim Angels name.
In parallel, Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken has directed the city attorney to investigate whether the Angels have breached their current lease by omitting the Anaheim name from legal documents.
Valencia’s proposed legislation, titled the “Home Run for Anaheim Act,” seeks to enforce terms that the city was unable to secure during negotiations with Moreno in 2019. The bill stipulates that any team owner wishing to develop the land surrounding Angel Stadium must retain the city’s name in their branding.
“The Angels have been supported by the city and its residents for 60 years,” Valencia stated. “It’s rightfully owed to the residents that, if the team wants to play in Anaheim and be in partnership with Anaheim regarding future developments, the name should reflect that commitment.”
A team spokesperson, Marie Garvey, declined to comment on the ongoing developments.
The Angels’ current lease extends through 2032, with options for extension until 2038. Previously, the city and the team had agreed on a deal that would keep the Angels in Anaheim until 2050 under the condition that a significant portion of stadium property be sold to the team for redevelopment.
However, state officials opposed that agreement. The Surplus Land Act requires public property up for sale to first prioritize affordable housing. The city, having negotiated exclusively with the Angels, ultimately settled on a $96 million resolution after the deal was invalidated.
In a significant turn of events, the Anaheim City Council terminated this agreement three years later following an FBI investigation. The inquiry revealed that former mayor Harry Sidhu had provided confidential information to the Angels, seeking a $1 million campaign contribution from the team in return. The government has not alleged wrongdoing on the part of the Angels.
Valencia’s legislation has gained public support from city leaders, including endorsements from Aitken and former mayors Tom Daly and Tom Tait. Should the bill pass, it would prevent the Angels from purchasing or leasing Angel Stadium unless the name “Anaheim Angels” is legally recognized.
Valencia believes that the community should have a say in how the land is utilized, asserting that the Surplus Land Act was primarily designed for smaller public properties. “While we need more housing, the growth in Anaheim over the last decade has addressed some of these needs,” he mentioned. He emphasized that the proposal to restore the team name reflects the community’s pride and long-standing support.
In 2005, after city officials rejected Moreno’s request to drop Anaheim from the team’s name, he adopted the designation “Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.” Following litigation, Orange County Superior Court ruled in favor of the Angels, ultimately allowing them to market under various names, leading to the current branding as the Los Angeles Angels.
Mayor Aitken is also exploring the legal implications of the team’s designation in official filings. The city attorney indicated that this matter would be further discussed in closed sessions as a potential litigation issue.
As the situation unfolds, the dialogue between Anaheim officials and the Angels continues, potentially reshaping the relationship between the team and its home city.
