Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno has agreed to sell his majority stake in the Major League Baseball franchise to billionaire Stan Kroenke, owner of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams. The pending $4 billion transaction would end Moreno’s 23-year tenure and usher in a new era for a club that has missed the playoffs for more than a decade.
Angels Sale Reportedly Values Franchise at $4 Billion
The sale is expected to close during the first quarter of 2027. Kroenke is purchasing Moreno’s controlling interest rather than the entire franchise, meaning the Angels’ existing minority investors will remain involved unless additional deals are negotiated.
“The Angels Organization is pleased to announce this transaction with Kroenke Sports & Entertainment,” Moreno said in a press release announcing the sale, which he expects to formally close in the first quarter of 2027. “The Moreno Family has been honored to steward the Angels for 23 years and we believe with KSE’s experience and success they are the best next owner for the franchise. The Angels Organization looks forward to continuing its commitment to the fans, our employees, the players and our business partners.”
The reported $4 billion valuation exceeds the record $3.9 billion recently paid by Jose E. Feliciano and Kwanza Jones for the San Diego Padres.
Kroenke Expands Major Sports Portfolio
The Angels would become the latest addition to Kroenke’s extensive collection of professional sports franchises.
The 79-year-old real estate executive is the principal owner of the Rams and holds controlling interests in the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids and English Premier League club Arsenal.
His sports organization has overseen championship-winning teams in multiple leagues, experience that Moreno cited when describing Kroenke Sports & Entertainment as the right successor.
Moreno’s Angels Tenure Ends After Years of Struggles
Moreno purchased the Angels for a reported $184 million in 2003, shortly after the franchise won the 2002 World Series.
Although the team made several postseason appearances early in his ownership, it has not reached the playoffs since winning the American League West in 2014. The Angels have not posted a winning record since finishing with 85 victories in 2015.
That prolonged decline occurred despite the team employing two generational stars, Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, together for six seasons.
Leadership Turnover Defined Recent Years
Moreno developed a reputation as one of baseball’s most involved owners, frequently influencing personnel decisions and changing executives and managers.
The club cycled through several general managers after Jerry Dipoto resigned in 2015. Billy Eppler later served five seasons before being replaced by Perry Minasian, who was dismissed earlier this year. Interim general manager John Mozeliak currently leads baseball operations, although his future under Kroenke remains uncertain.
Managerial turnover accelerated after longtime manager Mike Scioscia stepped down following the 2018 season. Brad Ausmus, Joe Maddon, Phil Nevin, Ron Washington, Ray Montgomery and Kurt Suzuki have all managed or temporarily led the club since then.
Moreno was also closely associated with expensive contracts for high-profile position players, including Albert Pujols and Anthony Rendon. Meanwhile, the organization made comparatively limited long-term investments in starting pitching and regularly operated with one of MLB’s lowest-ranked farm systems.
Ohtani Decisions Drew Heavy Criticism
The Angels’ handling of Ohtani became one of the most disputed chapters of Moreno’s ownership.
Rather than trade the two-way superstar before his 2023 free agency, the organization acquired several veterans in a last attempt to contend. The team quickly fell out of the race and placed many of those additions on waivers to reduce payroll.
Ohtani subsequently joined the Los Angeles Dodgers after the Angels declined to match the structure of his heavily deferred contract. Reports later indicated that other clubs had offered substantial prospect packages for him, including potential deals involving prominent young talent.
Moreno said he had “zero regrets” about trying to compete during Ohtani’s final season, but the unsuccessful push further weakened an already limited minor-league system.
Fan Frustration Reached a Breaking Point
Moreno rarely spoke publicly, but comments before the 2026 season intensified criticism from supporters.
“The number one thing fans want is affordability,” Moreno said this past February (via Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register). “They want affordability. They want safety, and they want a good experience when they come to the ballpark. Believe it or not, winning is not in their top five. The moms want to be able to afford to bring the kids. … They want to be able to bring their kids and be affordable and they want safety and they want to have a good experience, so they get all the entertainment stuff or whatever.”
Fans responded with social-media criticism, ballpark signs and chants calling on Moreno to sell the franchise.
New Ownership Brings Hope and Major Questions
Kroenke’s arrival offers renewed optimism, but rebuilding the Angels will require time. Decisions are still pending about baseball leadership, the coaching staff, player development and future payroll levels.
The sale nevertheless represents a potentially transformative moment for the franchise. After 11 consecutive losing seasons and 12 years without postseason baseball, Angels supporters can look toward a new ownership structure and the possibility of greater organizational stability in Anaheim.
Herman Melville is a contributor at TechNewsInc, covering a diverse range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on clear, reliable reporting and useful information, helping readers stay informed about current affairs and developments through relevant, accessible, and engaging stories.
