ANAHEIM, CA - (March 29, 2011) - The Anaheim City Council tonight approved three agenda items that are necessary for a second professional sports team to locate at Honda Center. 

"Our action today sets the table for a professional basketball team to come to Anaheim and play at Honda Center," said City of Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait.  "For our part, we have ensured that there is no financial risk or obligation to the Anaheim taxpayer or to the city.  There are more than 3 million people in Orange County, not to mention the millions more in the Inland Empire and neighboring San Diego County.  We are confident that our city and our region can and will strongly support an NBA team in Anaheim."

The city council, with a 5-0 vote, approved a financing arrangement that will facilitate the addition of a second professional team at Anaheim's Honda Center. Additionally, the city council authorized the issuance of up to $75 million in Lease Revenue Bonds for working capital, transition costs and construction costs at the city-owned facility.  Finally, the city council approved amendments to the facility management agreement between the City of Anaheim and the Anaheim Arena Management, LLC.

As part of the actions on Tuesday, the City Council approved language that would require any new team at Honda Center to use Anaheim—and only Anaheim—in its team name. 

The city has long supported the effort to attract a professional basketball team to Honda Center.  City leaders see the addition of a second professional team as a way to further enhance the city's reputation as a sports and entertainment destination. 

"I am confident that an NBA team in Orange County will do very well," said Mayor Tait. "As far as our fan base is concerned, we will fill the seats at Honda Center when professional basketball comes to town."

Sports and Entertainment in Anaheim
Anaheim is known worldwide as being the home to Walt Disney's first theme park, Disneyland.  Today, the park has grown to become The Disneyland Resort, including Disneyland, Disney California Adventure and Downtown Disney.  The city's Resort Area also boasts the Anaheim Convention Center, which is the largest convention center on the west coast. 

Anaheim is a world-class destination and is well-known offering a wide variety of entertainment and sports activities.  Annually, the city attracts more than 20 million visitors.

Two professional sports teams currently call Anaheim home:  The National Hockey League's Anaheim Ducks (2007 Stanley Cup Champions) and Major League Baseball's Angels Baseball (2002 World Series Champions).   Men's and Women's U.S. National Volleyball Teams (Gold and Silver Medalists respectively at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games) are also headquartered in Anaheim.  In 2010 the City, together with Angels Baseball, hosted a very successful MLB All-Star Game and All-Star Summer. 

Honda Center
Honda Center, built in 1993 and owned by the City of Anaheim, was ranked fourth in the nation and 12th worldwide for entertainment venues (based on gross ticket sales for 2010), according to Billboard magazine. The NHL Anaheim Ducks have played at Honda Center since their inaugural season in 1993. 

Honda Center was originally designed to house two professional sports teams. Anaheim Arena Management is the arena manager and negotiating agent for any sports or entertainment event that plays at Honda Center. 

Complete details of the items voted upon by the Anaheim City Council as well as more information on the City of Anaheim can be found at www.anaheim.net.

 

Media Contact: Ruth Ruiz 714.765.5060more city news

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ABOUT ANAHEIM – The City of Anaheim, founded in 1857, is one of the nation's premier municipalities and is one of California's most populous cities. Anaheim covers 50 square miles with more than 343,000 residents and more than 2,950 City employees. The municipal corporation's annual budget is $1.5 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 U.S. Men's National Volleyball Team, the 2012 Olympic Games Silver Medal winning U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, and the Professional Arena Soccer League Anaheim Bolts. Anaheim also boasts world-class meeting and entertainment venues with the Anaheim Convention Center, LEED-certified and the largest on the west coast, Honda Center, City National Grove of Anaheim, Anaheim GardenWalk, and Angel Stadium of Anaheim. In addition, Anaheim embraces its vibrant cultural arts community, including the world-renowned Anaheim Ballet. 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.

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