A California lawmaker is pushing a bill that could force the Los Angeles Angels to revert to their former name, the Anaheim Angels.
Assemblymember Avelino Valencia introduced the bill, AB 2512, which requires the team to use “Anaheim Angels” in official documents and marketing materials if the City of Anaheim grants special legal treatment for the sale, lease, or redevelopment of Angel Stadium. The bill passed the Assembly unanimously and now moves to the state Senate.
Valencia, who represents Anaheim, emphasized the importance of the team’s name reflecting its actual location. “Anaheim is a world-class city,” Valencia said, adding that the community deserves recognition for its long-standing support of the team. The bill revives a long-standing issue, as the team changed its name to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2005 to tap into the larger Los Angeles media market, despite local opposition…