On March 3rd, the United States Patent and Trademark Office received an application by a Nevada corporation seeking exclusive rights to use the name "Los Angeles Royals."

Another application filed the same day reserves the name "Anaheim Royals." The city of Anaheim, which owns the Honda Center, has reportedly insisted that any team playing there carry the city's name.

The web domains losangelesroyals.com and anaheimroyals.com have also been registered within the past three weeks.

A name change would help the team avoid confusion with the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League.

Sacramento attorney Scott Hervey, who also represents the Maloof family, was involved in the trademark applications.

The Kings, who were once called the Kansas City Royals, have played a few games lately in retro uniforms with that nickname.