Angels opt out of lease, future unclear

The Los Angeles Angels opted out of their lease with the city of Anaheim on Tuesday, casting doubt on whether or not Angel Stadium will remain their home.The Angels have played at Angel Stadium since it opened in 1966. It is the fourth-oldest park in the majors behind Boston’s Fenway Park, Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Los Angeles’ Dodger Stadium.The team has explored options in nearby cities Carson, Irvine and Tustin in recent years. The Angels haven’t negotiated with Anaheim officials since 2014.”As we look to the future, we need the ability to continue to deliver a high-quality fan experience beyond what the original lease allows,” Angels president John Carpino said in a statement. “It is important that we look at all our options and how we can best serve our fans now and in the future.”Angels spokeswoman Marie Garvey said there was a deadline on Tuesday that prompted the action. She said the next chance to opt out is 2028.”It’s today or 10 years from now,” Garvey told the Los Angeles Times. “There’s no option in between.”Garvey said the Angels will look to sit down with the city’s new mayor and city council after next month’s election. Current mayor Tom Tait is in his final term.The Angels’ discussions with Tustin stalled when the Orange County city asserted it wouldn’t provide funding for ballpark construction.