On January 3, 2005 Angels Baseball, L.P. announced that it would change the name of the club from the Anaheim Angels to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

At the same time they announced the name change, the Angels aggresively marketed themselves to Los Angeles, buying space on nearly 500 billboards in the area that read simply "City of ANGELS" in the team's wordmark. The Dodgers countered with their own billboard campaign, featuring the slogan “LA Baseball”, and putting Los Angeles Dodgers of Los Angeles on special giveaway merchandise for Opening Day 2005.

The new name infuriated Anaheim city leaders, who rejected the team's explanation and sued the Angels, accusing the team of breach of contract. The Los Angeles Dodgers also opposed the team name when it was proposed, presumably because they felt it threatened their hold on the marketplace. A jury trial, which concluded February 9, 2006, resulted in a verdict siding with the Angels and allowing the team to keep the new name. Buy Los Angeles Angels Tickets.