Anaheim Angels Say No To Stadium Lease Renewal

ANAHEIM, CA —Will the Angels finally make a move toward Tustin? Or will they rekindle their romance with Anaheim? On Tuesday, Anaheim Angels management notified the city that the team is opting out of their lease at the Angels Stadium, a team spokesperson said. The Angels will begin exploring their options, which include renegotiating their lease or looking for new digs. The club has played at the city-owned Angel Stadium since it opened in 1966.

"As we look to the future, we need the ability to continue to deliver a high-quality fan experience beyond what the original lease allows," Angels president John Carpino said in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. "It is important that we look at all our options and how we can best serve our fans now and in the future."

A spokeswoman for the Angels told the paper that team officials would meet with city leaders after the upcoming election, in which a new mayor will be chosen.

Tuesday was the Angel's last day to exercise their option to opt out of the lease, otherwise the team would have to wait for another 10 years to make a move. The decision was a "contractual" one, not a "political one," the spokeswoman said.

"It was important to make this decision, so we can explore all options and continue to give our fans a great experience," Angels Chairman Dennis Kuhl said in a letter to "sponsors and partners."

Kuhl added, "There will be no change for the 2019 season, as the team will continue to play at Angel Stadium."

Current Mayor Tom Tait, due to be termed out of office, was critical of the team's lease proposals during negotiations four years ago, prompting the team to ultimately terminate the talks.

The Angels previously considered moves to neighboring Southern California cities, most notably Tustin.

Mike Lyster, a spokesman for the city, said in a statement, "We look forward to many great years of Angels baseball in Anaheim."

"We don't believe there is a better place for the team than in the heart of Orange County's most exciting city," Lyster said. "The Angels' paid attendance here puts them in rare company as part of a group including the Dodgers, Yankees and Cubs that sell more than 3 million tickets each year. As fun as baseball is in Anaheim, this is a reminder that this is still a business. And we understand that the Angels need to preserve all options available.

"We welcome talking with the team about the future of baseball in Anaheim," he said. This is the second hit for Anaheim, following the decision by Disneyland to cancel their plans for a new luxury hotel on the Anaheim theme park property.

Related:

Disneyland Resort's Luxury Hotel Scrapped In Anaheim

City News Service, contributions by Patch Editor Ashley Ludwig

ANAHEIM, CA - SEPTEMBER 30: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and his teammates celebrate after Taylor Ward #3 (not in photo) hit a walk-off home run during the ninth inning of the the MLB game against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium on September 30, 2018 in Anaheim, California. The Angels defeated the Athletics 5-4. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)