Angels Chair Dennis Kuhl Thursday said that the team has “not held negotiations about moving to a potential new ballpark in the City of Industry,” shooting down media reports stating the team was looking to leave Anaheim, according to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. TIMES. Majestic Reality, the owners of the proposed site of the new ballpark, “insisted Thursday that they have not given up on the NFL.” Majestic Realty spokesperson Ben Porritt in a statement said, “Our commitment is on returning the NFL to Los Angeles and our focus is on building a football stadium.” Industry City Manager Kevin Radecki said that he was “unaware of any conversations involving the Angels coming to his town.” Radecki said that the “environmental impact report approved for the Industry site would not be viable for a ballpark” because the number of home games in a baseball season would “exceed the number of dates approved for major events at the Industry site.” Shaikin noted Porritt would not say whether Majestic Chair & CEO Ed Roski had met with Angels Owner Arte Moreno, “if only to consider future options” (LATIMES.com, 9/20). The Angels’ lease for Angel Stadium has an “opt-out clause in 2016,” but if the team does not exercise it, an extension “running through the 2029 season kicks in” (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 9/21).
