Big A to Bear Corporate Name

Walt Disney Co., owner of the Angels, plans to announce Monday an agreement with a corporate sponsor to add the sponsor’s name to Anaheim Stadium, a deal that could provide millions of dollars in revenue to Disney.

Anaheim Sports Inc. President Tony Tavares confirmed Thursday that a news conference scheduled for Monday will reveal a deal with a corporate sponsor to rename the Big A. Tavares would not elaborate on the identity of the sponsor except to say, “Stay tuned.”

The city of Anaheim owns the stadium, but under its agreement with Disney through which the entertainment company purchased the Angels, Anaheim will not receive any revenues from the expected sponsorship deal.

The deal gives Disney exclusive control over sponsorship and promotional agreements relating to the team, the stadium and events held or scheduled at the stadium. Disney is spending about $70 million and the city $30 million to renovate the stadium into a baseball-only venue.

But the contract does require that the word “Anaheim” be included in any name given the stadium. Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, renamed for Arrowhead Water Corp. in 1993, is subject to the same contractual arrangement.