American League Looks Into Failed Deal

American League and city officials met Tuesday to examine why the Walt Disney Co. and the city could not seal negotiations that would have led to the company buying the California Angels.

Both Disney and the city said they remained at a stalemate over stadium renovations and other issues.

But the arrival of American League attorney William Schweitzer set off speculation that the league was pushing the city to return to the bargaining table with Disney.

Schweitzer declined to comment, and city and Disney officials reiterated their position that no further negotiations are planned.

City Manager James D. Ruth said Schweitzer simply was in town to learn more about the collapse of the deal and to see if there was any way Disney or another buyer could purchase the team.

“He’s here to clarify issues, find out where it fell apart and see if there is room for movement with Disney or another buyer,” Ruth said.

Schweitzer came to Anaheim at the request of league President Gene Budig, according to league spokeswoman Phyllis Merhige.

“The role the league is playing now is friend to both parties,” Merhige said. “I know Dr. Budig has talked with both parties. He is in contact with [Angels co-owner] Jackie Autry almost every day.”

The City Council met in closed session Tuesday and discussed the baseball situation but emerged without commenting on the matter.

Disney earlier this month walked away from negotiations with the city over a $100-million renovation of Anaheim Stadium and an extended lease for the Angels.

Several issues prevented the deal, including: the length of the proposed lease; parking at the stadium; revenue from the Big A and a possible new stadium; and issues related to Sportstown Anaheim, the city’s proposed sports, entertainment and retail complex around Anaheim Stadium.

Disney’s 25% purchase of the Angels, approved by major league baseball in January, was contingent on the company reaching an agreement with the city over stadium issues within 60 days. When the March 18 deadline was not met, Disney elected to walk away.

Although Disney officials insist that plans to purchase the Angels are dead, former baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth, who heads a group also interested in buying the team, said last week that Disney is still quietly involved.

An Angel official on Tuesday echoed Ueberroth’s observation, saying that, if the city accepted Disney’s terms for the deal, the sale could go forward. The source said Disney has not officially withdrawn its offer to purchase controlling interest in the Angels.

Still, Disney Sports Enterprises spokesman Bill Robertson reiterated the company’s official line on Tuesday: “This deal is still dead. Our focus right now is getting our hockey team, the Mighty Ducks, into the Stanley Cup playoffs.”

Other officials remained hopeful an agreement will be reached.

“The deal makes so much sense to the Angels and the city that I’m hopeful we can work it out,” said Bud Selig, acting baseball commissioner.

Councilman Lou Lopez said Tuesday, “We are willing, any time, to sit down and reopen discussions. Anything that will keep the Angels in town. We need them here.”

But Ruth said there have been no direct discussions or negotiations between the two parties. “We have our position and Disney has theirs,” Ruth said. “We’re trying to sort out what those differences are and see if there is room for movement.”

Ruth would not say whether Angel owner Jackie Autry or another team official has been acting as an intermediary between the city and Disney.

“Jackie is going to do what Jackie is going to do,” he said.

Jackie Autry could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Times staff writers Elliott Teaford and Ross Newhan contributed to this report.