Long Beach Looks to Lure Angels After Anaheim Deal Falls Through

A corruption scandal nixed what looked like a done deal for Angel Stadium, and neighboring Long Beach is looking to swoop in.

The Southern California city is presenting itself as an alternative for the MLB team, following a vote by Anaheim’s city council to stop a deal with team owner Arte Moreno to purchase the stadium and surrounding land.

• Long Beach’s city manager issued a statement on Wednesday stating that the city is prepared to reopen discussions about building a stadium for the Angels.
• It tried to lure the Angels in 2019 with plans for a stadium and surrounding commerce district on a 55-acre waterfront parcel.
• Negotiations ended in December 2019, when the team entered exclusive talks with Anaheim.

The Angels’ lease in Anaheim runs to 2029, and the team has a trio of three-year options that could extend their stay to 2038.

Fallen Angels

The team appeared to have a deal in place with Anaheim in which a company controlled by Moreno would purchase the stadium and surrounding land for $320 million. 

That was before an FBI investigation alleged that city mayor Harry Sidhu provided confidential information to the team while seeking a $1 million campaign donation, and then obstructed the investigation. Sidhu, who was up for reelection in November, resigned on Monday but denied any wrongdoing.