The city of Anaheim may be reopening talks on a deal with the Angels that brought down its previous mayor.
Angels owner Arte Moreno plans to meet with Anaheim mayor Ashleigh Aitken — and while Moreno wouldn’t specify the nature of the meeting, the team and city have some major unfinished business.
Last year, the city agreed to sell Angel Stadium and the surrounding land for $320 million to a company controlled by Moreno, which planned to develop the land with housing, parks, and retail.
In May, the city council unanimously voted to cancel the deal following corruption allegations against former mayor Harry Sidhu. Sidhu is under investigation by the FBI for allegedly passing confidential information to the team in the hopes of securing a hefty campaign donation.
The Angels lease runs until 2029, with a series of three-year options that can extend it to 2038, providing the team leverage in any potential talks. City council members have considered challenging the lease arrangement.
Moreno said he would sell the team following Sidhu’s resignation, but later reversed course after meeting with potential buyers. He recently claimed to have three offers north of $2.6 billion for the team, a sum which set an MLB record.
While the city could develop the land independently, doing so would require the Angels’ permission.
Meanwhile, the Anaheim Ducks, who play in the nearby Honda Center, are beginning construction on a development that will include homes, offices, restaurants, shops, parks, and a concert hall.
