Arte Moreno Sells Angels Franchise to Stan Kroenke

The Arte Moreno era for Los Angeles Angels fans has ended. After two decades marked by missed opportunities and challenges, Moreno has agreed to sell the team. Billionaire Stan Kroenke, owner of the Rams, Nuggets, and Avalanche, purchased the Angels for $4 billion, setting a record for Major League Baseball’s most expensive sale.

Kroenke expressed enthusiasm, stating, “The Angels are a storied franchise anchored in a great market. We look forward to an exciting future with the Angels organization.” The sale exceeded the Padres’ previous record of $3.9 billion and outpaced Steve Cohen’s $2.4 billion purchase of the Mets.

This acquisition equals Mat Ishbia’s $4 billion purchase of the Phoenix Suns and is second only to the sales of the Denver Broncos ($4.65 billion) and Washington Commanders ($6.05 billion). Moreno acquired the Angels in 2003 for $184 million, soon after their lone World Series victory. He stated, “The Moreno family has been honored to steward the Angels for 23 years, and we believe KSE is the best next owner for the franchise.”

The Angels have not reached the playoffs since 2014, the longest current playoff drought in baseball. The team gained a reputation for underutilizing talents like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, who later achieved success elsewhere. Under Moreno, the Angels struggled with poor contracts and management instability, exemplified by the recent dismissal of GM Perry Minasian.

Despite these hardships, loyal fans continued supporting the team. On Tuesday, they gathered outside Angel Stadium to celebrate Moreno’s exit. The Angels now enter a new chapter under Kroenke, renowned for his championship-winning organizations, including the Super Bowl-winning Rams, NBA champion Nuggets, and Stanley Cup-winning Avalanche.

The transaction awaits MLB approval and will finalize in early 2027, marking a new beginning for the Angels.