$2.8bn MLB franchise may be forced to change name as city slams ‘unfair conditions’ on ballpark

The Anaheim Angels may be back.

Assembly Bill 2512 — or the Home Run for Anaheim act — passed through the California State Senate and Assembly to clear a major hurdle.

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It would give the City of Anaheim an exemption to require the MLB‘s Los Angeles Angels to revert the former name in the event of the sale or new lease of the stadium property.

The bill has cleared both chambers and is set to hit Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk within the next two months to be signed into law.

“The city of Anaheim has also been home to this franchise for 60 proud years, yet the team’s name, for whatever reason, does not reflect that history or our community,” author Avelino Valencia said in April in front of the Assembly Standing Committee on local government.

“As someone who grew up in the city of Anaheim, who wore an Anaheim jersey, I can tell you that names really do matter.

“Pride in place and purpose really does mean something, and erasing Anaheim from the name diminishes not only my community, but what this fan base stands for.”

Crucially, the bill does not require the Angels to revert the name unless an agreement is reached for a sale or lease of Angel Stadium. The franchise and City of Anaheim could also come to an alternative arrangement.

The club was formed in Los Angeles in 1961, but relocated five years later and has been based in Anaheim for six decades. Forbes values it at $2.8 billion — 11th out of MLB teams.

Angels Stadium not bringing much cash to Anaheim

It was only in 1997, when the California Angels became the Anaheim Angels.

The name was in place for the championship season in 2002, but changed to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2004 due to the requirements of a lease agreement with the city.

The host city was dropped a year later and the issue has been a point of contention ever since.

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It may be a long time before a change as the team’s lease runs through 2032, according to Sports Business Journal, with an option for a six-year extension.

Valencia says the status quo does not bring value to the city due to historic poor performance and low attendances.

“The city is also tied to unfair conditions due to the lease that they are under,” he said in April.

“They actually only get revenue from the team if more than 2,600,000 tickets are sold. And unfortunately, we haven’t made the playoffs in over 10 years, so that threshold has not been met.

“In addition to that, the city makes $1 off of leasing the entire baseball stadium and 152 acres of parking surface.”

The Angeles currently prop up the American League West with a 47-74 record.