Disney, Anaheim Talks on Stadium Progressing

Negotiations between the city and Walt Disney Co. over a $100-million renovation to Anaheim Stadium and a new 30-year lease for the Angels continued to “move forward” Monday, city officials said.

The City Council could vote in closed session today on some of the major points of the deal, but a final vote is not expected until the end of this week or early next week, sources said.

The marathon negotiations are said to be focusing on many of the smaller details of an agreement. Disney has set a Sunday deadline for negotiations to be completed.

If the deadline is not met, the company has the option of walking away from purchasing 25% and operational control of the Angels. Disney officials have said, however, that the deadline could be slightly extended if an agreement appears imminent.

There was no indication from either side on Monday that any deal-breaking issues had arisen.

“It looks real good,” Councilman Lou Lopez said. “They are going point by point and I’m optimistic that it will be resolved.”

At least three council members have tentatively agreed to a 70-30 split on the renovation costs, with Disney paying the larger portion. Other key issues that have been resolved are changing the baseball team’s name to the Anaheim Angels and turning over operations of the city-owned stadium to Disney.

These are among the major deal points that the council could approve in closed session today. But such action would not complete the deal, sources said.

The pending deal with Disney would eliminate any chance of a professional football team playing at Anaheim Stadium this fall. But the city has been negotiating with the Seattle Seahawks to use Rams Park for practices beginning this month.

“Our No. 1 priority is to get the baseball deal resolved for the next 30 years, then we’ll start talking about football,” Lopez said.

The Magnolia Elementary School District, which owns Rams Park, was scheduled to discuss the practice site issue Monday night, but district Supt. Paul Mercier said no final decisions on leasing the facility can be made until a proposal comes from the city.

The Seahawks already have moved equipment onto the site and hope to begin practicing there soon. But Mercier said that can’t happen until an agreement is in place. The council is also expected to discuss the matter tonight.

“Time is starting to run out,” Mercier said. “I see this as heading toward a quick crossroads.”