The Los Angeles Angels could be stripped of ‘Los Angeles’ from their name. A California bill is aiming to make the baseball club use the name “Anaheim Angels” in official documents and marketing materials.
California Bill Targets Angels’ Name
Assemblymember Avelino Valencia’s bill, AB 2512, would require the Major League Baseball franchise to revert to using the name “Anaheim Angels”. This would only happen if the city grants the team special legal treatment to help with selling, leasing or redeveloping Angel Stadium and the surrounding land. The bill has already passed through the Assembly with unanimous support and now moves to the state Senate.
Valencia stated that Anaheim residents deserve more than being treated as an afterthought. He believes the name of the local MLB team should reflect the city they play in.
Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken has reportedly instructed the city attorney to investigate whether the Angels violated their lease by dropping the name Anaheim in legal documents.
Officials for the Angels have declined to comment on the legislation.
History of the Name Change
The proposal revives a long-standing sports issue after owner Arte Moreno rebranded the franchise from the Anaheim Angels to the “Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim” in 2005. The aim was to capitalise on the larger LA media market.
Anaheim later sued and lost. By 2016, the team dropped Anaheim from its public branding altogether.
Stadium Deal Collapsed Amidst Controversy
The situation around the Angels and their stadium has faced complications in recent years.
Anaheim and the Angels previously had a deal that would have allowed the franchise to buy the stadium property and develop the surrounding land. That agreement collapsed following a federal corruption investigation involving former Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu.
The state also challenged the arrangement under California’s Surplus Land Act. Anaheim later agreed to a $96 million settlement.
Team’s Performance and Fan Discontent
The Angels are currently in last place in MLB and have not made the playoffs since 2014.
The stadium has experienced issues, including a temporary shutdown of concessions last month due to a rodent infestation. Shirtless fans recently started a “sell the team!” chant targeting Moreno.
Long-suffering supporters of the team have rallied around Valencia’s bill and suggest it could have a karma-like effect on the Angels’ fortunes.