2006 TV Package Isn’t in Focus Yet

In spring training, Angel owner Arte Moreno said he would consider launching a cable channel to show his team’s games. That possibility has led to a stalemate between the Angels and FSN West over next season’s television package.

Angel telecasts this season include 49 games on Channel 9 and 102 on FSN West. With Channel 9 dropping the Angels for the Dodgers next season and network commitments making weeknight telecasts problematic on other channels, the Angels would like to air 35 to 50 weekend games on Channel 5 or Channel 13, with FSN again carrying more than 100 games.

But, under a contract that expires in 2008, FSN is required to carry only 50 games. So far, FSN has refused to sign up for additional broadcasts unless the Angels extend the contract, which would keep Moreno from starting his own cable channel. The Angels prefer to negotiate telecasts through 2008 and keep their options open beyond then, although Moreno recently said he was undecided on the cable venture.

“The real question is, do we want to be in that business, or do we let the TV people do the TV business and let the baseball people do the baseball business?” Moreno said.

Randy Freer, chief operating officer of Fox Sports Networks, said he hoped to negotiate a long-term agreement with the Angels.

“We continue to talk to the Angels about more games for next year,” Freer said Monday. “It is our desire to secure a long-term future with the Angels.”

Said Angel spokesman Tim Mead: “The increase in televised games in the last two years is a big part of the overall business strategy. We continue to look at the best options for both our organization and any partner.”

In 1998, under Disney ownership, the Angels lost this battle. Disney had announced plans for ESPN West, a cable channel for the Angels and Mighty Ducks. When Disney could not persuade cable operators to carry the channel, the company surrendered, and FSN signed the teams to 10-year contracts.

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For the second time, mediation sessions have failed to settle the lawsuit between the Angels and the city of Anaheim.

In April, at the urging of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, the sides met several times with Associate Justice Richard Fybel. The parties also met recently in a mandatory settlement conference with Mark Robinson, a mediator appointed by Orange County Superior Court Judge Peter Polos. Although Robinson can recommend additional sessions -- and Polos can order both sides to attend -- Anaheim co-counsel Andy Guilford said none had been scheduled.

The city claims the name, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, violates the team’s stadium lease. The Angels have offered to help promote the city and to consider restoring the Anaheim Stadium name, sources familiar with the talks said, but have not offered a cash payment to settle and have insisted “Los Angeles” remain in the team name.

The city has demanded the team remove “Los Angeles” as part of any settlement.