California Gov. Gavin Newsom “signed into law the ‘Home Run for Anaheim Act,’ a step that elected officials in Orange County consider a significant step” in reverting the MLB team’s name back to Anaheim Angels. The law “does not mandate” the Angels revert to the Anaheim Angels name, but it “provides the city with an incentive to dangle before the team.” If the Angels wish to develop the 150-acre Angel Stadium property, state law “would prioritize affordable housing within the site.” The city of Anaheim could “seek an exemption from the affordable housing law,” which “wouldn’t rule out housing on the site, but it would give a team more flexibility to build whatever project might be considered most profitable.” If the city obtains the exemption, the “new law says, ‘then any materials, including, but not limited to, a lease, deed of sale, and promotional or marketing materials, shall refer to that team as the Anaheim Angels.’” The city could “use the exemption as leverage in discussions” with team owner Arte Moreno or a new owner (L.A. TIMES, 8/28).
