Features

LA Angels to pay $325m to remain in Anaheim until 2050

The Los Angeles Angels have signed a $325m (£247m/€293m) deal to buy the publicly owned Angel Stadium to allow the Major League Baseball franchise to remain in Anaheim through to 2050.

The agreement includes the 45,050-capacity stadium, as well as its surrounding car parks and gives the team the option to build a new stadium in place of the 53-year-old structure.

The MLB club had until December 31 to opt out of its current stadium lease or it would have been bound to it until 2029.

The two parties have instead come to the decision to allow the Angels to control the property, while taking the costly maintenance responsibilities off the hands of the city.

“We appreciate the Mayor’s leadership in working to keep the Angels here in Anaheim, which has been our home for over 50 years,” Angels owner Arte Moreno said, according to the Associated Press news agency. “Today is the first step in enabling us to invest in our future by building a winning team and delivering a high-quality fan experience.”

Anaheim City Council is expected to approve the deal on December 20, which includes options to extend the lease through 2065.

The club has brought in HKS Architects to help develop possibilities for renovating or replacing Angel Stadium.

“After years of uncertainty, we have a path forward for baseball in Anaheim,” Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu said. “This proposal reflects what we’ve heard from our community by keeping the Angels in Anaheim, bringing money for our neighborhoods and the prospect of more affordable housing, parks and jobs for Anaheim.”

Image:  The Rambling Man