Angels Spend $7.5 Million On Litigation, Failing to Win Fees Under Indemnity Clause.
Given that spring training is not far away for baseball fans, we have a postscript from our December 20, 2008 post discussing the Fourth District, Division 3’s decision in City of Anaheim v. Angels Baseball, L.P. In that case, the appellate panel—in a 2-1 decision—affirmed the jury’s verdict in favor of the Angels and also determined that an indemnity clause did not allow the Angels to recoup substantial fees from the City of Anaheim.
Now, we can report to you about the amount of fees spent by each side.
Library of Congress
In a February 24, 2009 article in The Orange County Register entitled “Angels to keep ‘Los Angeles’ moniker,” Eric Carpenter reports that City of Anaheim spent about $4 million on the initial court case in 2006 and “capped” expenses of $150,000 on the subsequent appeal (which is lost). In contrast, the Angels spent about $7.5 million in legal expenses. Apparently, Anaheim decided in January 2009 to not spend any more money on the case.
The article ends with this: “Leaders with the team and the city have each expressed interest in mending the relationship.” BLOB OBSERVATION—Pretty pricey way of getting back on track with each other.