Arte Moreno has agreed to sell the Los Angeles Angels to billionaire Stan Kroenke, owner of the NFL's Rams, for more than $4 billion. This deal represents the most expensive sale of a Major League Baseball franchise, surpassing the San Diego Padres' recent $3.9 billion transaction.
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment announced the acquisition Tuesday, signaling the end of the Moreno family's 23-year stewardship of the team. Moreno purchased the Angels in 2003 for $184 million, shortly after the franchise's sole World Series title.
"The Angels are a storied franchise anchored in a great market," Kroenke stated. "We look forward to an exciting future with the Angels organization."
Moreno, in his own statement, expressed confidence in Kroenke's ability to lead the team forward. "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," he said. "The Angels organization looks forward to continuing its commitment to the fans, our employees, the players and our business partners."
The Angels have experienced a prolonged postseason drought, failing to reach the playoffs since 2014, the longest active streak in MLB. During Moreno's tenure, the team struggled with significant contracts and player acquisitions, including Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, and Anthony Rendon. The departure of two-way star Shohei Ohtani to the crosstown Los Angeles Dodgers in late 2023 further highlighted the team's recent challenges.
Fans gathered outside Angel Stadium of Anaheim to celebrate Moreno's departure, reflecting years of frustration with the team's performance and front-office decisions. The team's struggles persisted despite the presence of star outfielder Mike Trout.
The sale is pending approval from Major League Baseball and is expected to officially close in early 2027. Kroenke's ownership portfolio already includes the Super Bowl champion Rams, the NBA champion Denver Nuggets, and the Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche. The acquisition price places the Angels' sale value among the highest in American professional sports, trailing only the Denver Broncos and Washington Commanders.
