Radio, TV Stations Side With Angels

California’s radio and television stations have joined the Angels in opposing a bill that would force the team to disclose on tickets and in advertising that the team plays in Anaheim, not Los Angeles.

“It’s a really bad bill,” said Stan Statham, president of the California Broadcasters Assn. “We’re doing everything we can to stop it.”

The bill is scheduled for a hearing Monday before the Business and Professions Committee of the state Senate.

The cities of Anaheim and Los Angeles support the bill, with the CBA and three affiliated groups -- the Northern California Broadcasters Assn., Southern California Broadcasters Assn. and San Diego Broadcasters Assn. -- joining the Angels in opposition, committee spokesman Doug Brown said.

In his letter of opposition, Statham wrote that the “unintended consequence” of the bill would be “to make radio an undesirable marketing option.”

Rather than pay for radio ads in which precious seconds would be devoted to disclosure, broadcasters contend, the Angels and any other affected teams would be more inclined to divert ad dollars toward newspapers, the Internet and other media in which disclosures could more comfortably fit.

The “Truth in Sports Advertising Act” (AB 1041), authored by Assemblyman Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana), would mandate disclosures by any team playing in one city but using another city in its name, although the host city could waive the requirement.

The bill was introduced after the Angels changed their name to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The city of Anaheim is suing the Angels, charging that the new name violates their stadium lease.

-- Bill Shaikin