In December of 2019, the Anaheim City Council agreed to sell Angel Stadium and its surrounding land to SRB Management, which is owned by Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno.
In return, SRB Management agreed to pay $150 million in cash and another $170 million in community benefits to the city of Anaheim, which would be used to build affordable housing and a large public park.
However, that deal is now in jeopardy due to Anaheim mayor Harry Sidhu being under FBI investigation for corruption. He is being accused of asking for campaign contributions in exchange for using his power to get the deal completed.
According to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times, the Anaheim City Council is meeting Tuesday to discuss whether to proceed with the deal, rework it, or scrap it all together:
The Anaheim City Council is scheduled to discuss the state of the Angel Stadium deal next Tuesday.
Shaikin added that even if the deal falls apart, the Angels are committed to play at Angel Stadium through the end of their lease in 2029:
So, if this deal collapses, the Angels remain committed to play at Angel Stadium through at least 2029, and they can extend their stay through 2038.
Sidhu will not be present at the meeting as he resigned from his role as mayor after members of the City Council urged him to step down.
While Sidhu is under FBI investigation, there is no evidence that anyone affiliated with the Angels organization committed any wrongdoings.
“We are troubled by this,” Anaheim city manager Jim Vanderpool recently said. “Throughout this process, Anaheim staff and the City Council have worked in good faith on a proposal that offered benefits for our community.
“What has been shared with us was unknown to the city administration before today, and what is being described falls outside of the city’s process on the stadium.
“We will continue to evaluate what this means and how to move forward in the best interest of our city.”
SRB Management declines comment on Angel Stadium deal
It is not immediately clear how Sidhu’s investigation will affect the Angels’ stadium plans moving forward and the spokeswoman for SRB Management declined to comment.
“We are surprised and dismayed by what has been shared with us,” city of Anaheim spokesman Mike Lyster said. “We take this matter and the issues raised seriously. While allegations, they are troubling nonetheless.
“As we look to see this process play out, we will determine what this means for the stadium plan in the days ahead.”
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