Anaheim, Disney Remain Apart

Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly adopted a conciliatory and hopeful tone toward Walt Disney Co. Friday although the company reaffirmed its refusal to buy the Angels because it could not reach an agreement with the city over Anaheim Stadium renovations and a lease for the ball club.

“I think everyone needs to take a deep breath, relax, and decide what it is they really want to accomplish,” Daly said.

Disney Sports Enterprises President Tony Tavares said that there are no plans to resume talks with the city before the Monday deadline and sought to quell speculation that the impasse is merely a negotiating ploy to try to get a better deal out of Anaheim.

Hollywood Park Chairman R.D. Hubbard, whom Jackie Autry said Thursday had expressed interest in building the Angels a stadium in Inglewood, said his top priority is trying to land a professional football team.

“Everything would depend on what happens down there in Anaheim,” Hubbard said. “I personally don’t think the deal with Disney is dead. I think they can get it worked out. But if it doesn’t happen, I’d be glad to talk to them. We definitely have an interest in baseball.”