Angels’ name-change lawsuit headed to overtime

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

The legal fight over the Angels’ name went into overtime on Tuesday, when a state appellate court said it would delay a scheduled ruling for as long as three weeks.

In a statement posted online, the 4th District Court of Appeal said it needed more time “to review the proposed circulating opinion and further study the issues in this case.” The court said it would rule by Dec. 31.

By playing as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, an Orange County Superior Court jury found, the Angels did not violate a stadium lease clause requiring the team name to “include the name Anaheim therein.” The city of Anaheim appealed, and the ruling was scheduled to be issued on Wednesday.

The city has asked the appellate court to either overturn the name change or order a new trial.

--Bill Shaikin