SANTA ANA, Calif. -- The legal battle over the newly
christened Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim will have to wait until
after the baseball season, a judge said Tuesday.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Peter Polos set a Nov. 7 date
for a trial in a lawsuit filed by the city of Anaheim challenging
the baseball team's addition of "Los Angeles" to its name.
Anaheim officials had asked for an August trial while the Angels
sought to have the proceedings delayed until January.
The city may ask Polos to reconsider his decision and set an
earlier date for the trial, attorney Andrew Guilford said.
Anaheim has already asked a state appeals court to issue an
emergency order blocking use of the new name and is awaiting a
response.
The team, previously known as the Anaheim Angels, says the new
name would attract more fans, advertisers and broadcast contracts
by emphasizing its connection to Los Angeles, the nation's
second-largest media market.
City officials claim the new name, which was announced in
January, violates its stadium contract with the team and is a blow
to Anaheim's prestige and tourism-based economy.