In a bizarre off-field story, the Los Angeles Angels find themselves entangled in a financial scandal, named as one of several major sports franchises allegedly defrauded by the French frozen yogurt brand Cremily. The brand, which marketed itself as a healthy, philanthropic company, secured high-profile partnerships across the MLB and NBA before its scheme unraveled.

The Angels had entered a lucrative five-year sponsorship deal, reportedly guaranteed over $3.45 million, for stadium advertising. However, according to a detailed investigation by The Athletic, the company was generating no revenue at the time it signed the multimillion-dollar contract. A former employee recalled the disbelief within the company, stating, "We all just sat there like, ‘Hold on. We haven’t earned a single dime of revenue. And yet we just went and spent how much on a contract?’"

The alleged mastermind, Cremily CEO Steven Delaportas, has a history of similar legal issues, including a prior lawsuit from Madison Square Garden. With Cremily now dissolved, the Angels and Arizona Diamondbacks have filed lawsuits to recoup unpaid advertising fees, with the Angels seeking over $400,000. The scandal serves as a stark reminder of the due diligence required in the high-stakes world of sports sponsorships, even for established franchises.