Tentative NHL Agreement for Anaheim Arena

The Walt Disney Co.’s new hockey team will begin NHL play in the Anaheim Arena this October, pending approval of a tentative agreement reached Wednesday night, City Manager James D. Ruth said.

All the major issues involving an arena lease appear to have been settled by Disney, the city and arena managers Ogden Entertainment, Ruth said. He stressed, however, that the deal still requires approval by Ogden officials in New York, who are expected to consider it today and by the City Council, which is expected to vote on Friday.

Ruth said a breakthrough in negotiations Wednesday might have solved a crucial parking issue, which threatened to block the deal and prevent the team from playing next season.

“We think we’ve resolved the parking issue,” Ruth said. “The rest of the (agreement) should come together. Most of it is just housekeeping stuff.”

Throughout the negotiations, Disney officials were concerned that the city had acquired enough parking only for the short term.

Having a team ready by the 1993-94 season saves the city $1 million it would have had to give to Ogden under their partnership agreement in the arena project.