Disney Renews Negotiations With Anaheim About Stadium

Disney and the City of Anaheim reopened talks Friday that could lead to Disney buying a controlling interest in the Angels, according to Tony Tavares, president of Disney Sports Enterprises.

Both sides said they broke off negotiations in mid-March as a Disney-imposed 60-day deadline approached to cut a deal on the renovation of Anaheim Stadium. “We started talking again today,” Tavares said. “But I don’t want to speculate too much. There are just too many details to be worked out. It’s suffice to say that we’re talking and that’s good thing.”

Tavares said that no new deadline has been set.

“Either we make the deal or we don’t,” Tavares said.

Disney had agreed to pay 70% of the estimated $100-million costs. But the two sides clashed over the proposed 167-acre Sportstown, Anaheim’s plan for an entertainment/retail/sports complex. Disney officials had reservations about the concept.

Tavares spent Friday’s Freeway Series game with Angel Executive Vice President Jackie Autry, wife of owner Gene Autry. Anaheim Mayor Tom Daly, councilman Lou Lopez and City Manager James Ruth also attended the game.

Neither Daly nor Ruth would comment on the renewed negotiations. Jackie Autry turned down interview requests.