City Seeks More on Angel Issue

The Anaheim City Council is not necessarily committed to pursuing its lawsuit against the Angels and wants to learn more about the costs of proceeding to trial and the chances of winning, Councilman Richard Chavez said Tuesday.

“How feasible is it? Do we have a strong case?” he said.

The council met with lawyers in closed session Tuesday and directed them to return in two weeks with a more extensive explanation of options, Councilwoman Lorri Galloway said.

Anaheim claims the team has broken its stadium lease by changing its name to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, but Orange County Superior Court Judge Peter Polos has twice refused to reverse the name change and ruled Friday the Angels have “technically complied” with the lease provision requiring the team name to “include the name Anaheim therein.”

The city’s options include proceeding to trial, appealing Friday’s ruling, dropping the case and pursuing a settlement, perhaps through inviting the Angels to participate in mediation or arbitration.

Chavez said the settlement option was not discussed in closed session. The Angels have neither offered a settlement or been offered one, a team source said.

Polos also said the city has failed to show a reasonable chance of winning at trial. The case might not reach a jury for months, if not longer, and Chavez said the council has not been informed of the estimated cost of proceeding to trial.

“That’s one of the things we want to know,” he said.

Because the city failed to obtain a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction, the team is likely to complete the 2005 season as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Chavez said the council might consider fan reaction as the season unfolds.

“Public opinion can sway things, including government officials,” Chavez said, noting that indifference or resignation among fans could send a signal to the council.

“If they introduce [owner] Arturo Moreno [on opening day] and he gets booed for 15 minutes, that would send a whole different tone.”

Mayor Curt Pringle said more than 80% of the Anaheim taxpayers who have been in contact with his office favor pursuing the lawsuit. Anaheim contends that the name change devalues the $20 million the city provided toward renovations as part of the lease agreement, and city lawyers say the court has not considered evidence to show the intent behind the disputed lease clause.

Earlier Tuesday, Pringle delivered the annual State of the City address, making several references to the “Anaheim Angels” and their success last season but only a passing reference to what he called “some recent legal issues.” However, Pringle drew chuckles when he jokingly identified Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown as “the San Francisco mayor of Oakland.”