LOS ANGELES --The Nederlander family, which is one of the last independent operators in the entertainment and production business, has expressed an interest in buying the Walt Disney Co.-owned Anaheim Angels, according to a newspaper report.

The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday that Nederlander family attorney Neil Papiano confirmed that "very preliminary discussions'' have taken place. He added that the family and Disney have been partners previously in several entertainment ventures.

"Given their relationship and the Nederlanders' interest in baseball, it's probably not surprising that the Angels would have come up,'' Papiano told the newspaper. "However, it's very preliminary. No one at this point has asked to look at any of the club's figures or books.''

The commissioner's office would have to provide approval for the Nederlanders to examine the books and that likely would have to wait until the playoff series between the Angels and New York Yankees is concluded.

The Nederlander family has ties to the Yankees, with James Nederland Sr. and his brother, Robert, as limited partners in the New York team. They would have to divest those holdings under baseball rules if they were to purchase the Angels.

The Nederlander family owns theaters from New York to Los Angeles and also is involved in the productions of Broadway shows and concerts. In the Los Angeles area, their companies control or exclusively book several venues, including the Greek Theatre, Pantages Theatre and Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim, where Disney's Mighty Ducks play.

Disney, which first bought a share of the Angels in 1996 and acquired the rest of the team in 1998, has been trying to sell it for several years.

The Angels reached the playoffs this season for the first time since 1986 after setting a record for victories for the 41-year-old franchise.