Los (Anaheim) Angels Update

Spring training has begun and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have taken the field. Media outlets have said that the team will be referred to as "Los Angeles" or "LAA," but Anaheim is not giving up its legal battle. The city council voted to pursue an appeal of a judge's ruling denying a preliminary injunction (discussed here) and also voted to take the case all the way to trial. This will cost the city a great deal of money but the council members apparently feel very strongly that the name change violates the Angels' stadium lease.

The city also has a friend on its side in the state legislature. Assemblyman Tom Umberg plans to introduce the "Truth in Sports Advertising Act" to the state assembly, which would require California pro sports teams that use one geographical area in their name but play in another to disclose that fact with some form of a visual disclaimer on all advertising and commercials, including game tickets. One example of the language would be, "Attention: The Angels play their home games in Anaheim, not Los Angeles." Though the Angels are a private business, the regulation would be justified under existing laws that regulate advertising.

The problem with such a law is that many professional sports teams play in smaller suburbs outside of their real city "home." Thus, it could have an impact on teams that do not have an agreement like the one claimed by Anaheim. For example, Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy play their home games in Carson and would be forced to disclaim that in advertising.

Thus, the legislation probably has little chance of passing, and even if it did, it would not go into effect until next year. But the symbolism of the act is clear. Anaheim has many friends in its battle to "keep" the Angels and it will not give up without a fight.

Posted in: