Tuesday, January 4, 2005
Anaheim plans to sue Angels
The city believes Moreno's plan to rename the club violates its 1996 lease agreement.
By SARAH TULLY
The Orange County Register
ANAHEIM – Owner Arte Moreno proceeded with a plan to rename his team the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday, a move Anaheim officials said they plan to sue to block.
The city believes the Angels violated the 1996 lease agreement that required "Anaheim" to be in the team's name. The city contributed $30 million, mostly for stadium renovations, in exchange for the "Anaheim" name to bring prestige, business and tourism to the city.
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Talk of the name change has swirled since summer, but Anaheim officials were stunned to find a fax announcing the new moniker when they returned to their offices on the first business day of the New Year. The City Council already voted to sue if the team changed the name. The city plans to request a temporary restraining order by Friday.
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The name changed to the California Angels when the team moved to Anaheim six years later. The team became the Anaheim Angels when Disney bought the franchise in 1996. Now, they're the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. ..The Los Angeles City Council and the Dodgers are opposed to Moreno's move. The L.A. City Council might help Anaheim in its legal fight.
More..
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/01/04/sections/sports/sports/article_366009.php