"This is only one step in a long process and we are prepared to seek a more permanent ruling to ensure the Angels comply with the terms of their lease. Though we were hopeful that Judge Polos would grant our request for a temporary restraining order, we look forward to presenting our case during the preliminary injunctive hearing," said John James Nicoletti, spokesperson for the City of Anaheim.

On January 7, the City of Anaheim filed a formal legal complaint in Orange County Superior Court against the Anaheim Angels for breach of contract and violation of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The Angels are in the middle of a 33-year lease agreement with the City to play their home games in a City-owned stadium. The complaint is Case #05CC01902.

In the complaint, the City claims "there has been a conscious, systematic, and pervasive elimination of Anaheim from references with the (Anaheim Angels) team name." In addition, the City contends "that shortly after Mr. (Arte) Moreno purchased the team from Disney, he formulated and gave instructions to implement a two phased marketing and branding plan. Phase one, which was implemented immediately, was to eliminate references to Anaheim in the team name so as to disassociate Anaheim from the Angels brand. Phase two, for the future, was to change the name of the team to the Los Angeles Angels."

The City has designed a website for fans to voice their concerns about this issue at www.savetheanaheimangels.com. The full complaint can also be viewed on the City’s website at www.anaheim.net.

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ABOUT ANAHEIM - The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation's premier municipalities and is California's 10th most populous city. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 345,500 residents and more than 3,200 City employees. The municipal corporation's annual budget is $1.4 billion. Anaheim supports a thriving business community with companies such as Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., L-3 Communications, Pacific Sunwear, and Disneyland Resort. Successful sports franchises call Anaheim home, including Angels Baseball, Anaheim Ducks, the 2008 Olympic Gold Medal winning U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, and the 2008 Olympic Silver Medal winning U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, The Grove of Anaheim, The Shops at Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Annually, Anaheim welcomes millions of visitors to the city, truly making it where the world comes to live, work and play. For more information, please visit www.anaheim.net.