What Is The New Bill That Could Lead The Los Angeles Angels To Losing Their Name?

Los Angeles Angels logo (Image Credits: Imagn)

What Is The New Bill That Could Lead The Los Angeles Angels To Losing Their Name?

Originally posted on Total Pro Sports
By Paranjoy Goswami | Last updated May 21, 2026 9:21 AM ET

The Los Angeles Angels became the first American League team on the West Coast as one of the first expansion teams in 1961. Since then, the organization has largely stayed in the same area under several different guises through the years. Even though the team bears the name of Los Angeles, it has been based in Anaheim for six decades.

A California lawmaker is gaining widespread support for his motion to rename the Los Angeles Angels as the Anaheim Angels. Avelino Valencia reportedly advanced the bill to the state Senate after the Assembly passed it with unanimous support. In return, the Angels receive special grants in the real estate market.

“Assemblymember Avelino Valencia’s bill, AB 2512, would require the Major League Baseball franchise to go back to using the name “Anaheim Angels” in official documents and marketing materials,” The New York Post stated.

Angels could lose 'Los Angeles' in team name with new bill https://t.co/OPdoT8lORp pic.twitter.com/VDc9G7xovj
— California Post (@californiapost) May 20, 2026

“But that’s only if the city gives the team special legal treatment to help sell, lease, or redevelop Angel Stadium and the surrounding land. The bill sailed through the Assembly this week with unanimous support, and it now goes to the state Senate.”

The franchise began as the Los Angeles Angels before rebranding as the California Angels. This happened after its relocation to Anaheim in 1966. It was known as the Anaheim Angels from 1997 to 2004. It existed as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim until 2015, when it reverted to the original name.

California Lawmaker Explains Need To Rename Angels Franchise

Avelino Valencia believes having Anaheim back in the name of the Los Angeles Angels franchise will enhance the city’s stature. He feels the people living in the area should have the right to name the city in recognition of their continuous support for the team.

Arte Moreno (Image Credits: Getty Images)

“Anaheim is a world-class city, and I have seen it firsthand growing up here,” Valencia told The New York Post in a statement.

“The pride of place our residents carry is real, and it is earned. My community has shown up for the Angels franchise year after year, and they deserve more than being treated as an afterthought,” he added. “It is time the name of our local MLB team reflects the city they play in.”

Team owner Arte Moreno renamed the organization from the Anaheim Angels to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2005. The team did this to capitalize on a larger share of the LA metropolitan area. Anaheim fought the change in court and removed the city’s name entirely in 2016 after losing the case.

This article first appeared on Total Pro Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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