Image Source: CBS Sports
Stan Kroenke is set to become the new owner of the Los Angeles Angels after Arte Moreno agreed to sell the franchise on Tuesday. The announcement marks a major turning point for a team that has endured an 11-year playoff drought and missed the postseason again this year.
Kroenke Sports & Entertainment announced the agreement, calling the Angels a storied franchise in an important market. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the transaction is expected to establish a new Major League Baseball ownership record.
Stan Kroenke’s Historic Angels Purchase Could Set MLB Record
According to the Los Angeles Times, the sale is expected to surpass the $3.9 billion purchase of the San Diego Padres, the current MLB record. If completed at that level, the Angels would become one of the most valuable teams in professional sports.
“The Angels are a storied franchise anchored in a great market,” Kroenke said in a statement. “We look forward to an exciting future with the Angels organization.”
The agreement gives Kroenke another major professional sports property in the United States. The 79-year-old businessman already owns the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, the Denver Nuggets of the NBA, the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL and the Colorado Rapids of MLS. Through his holding company, he also owns Arsenal of the Premier League.
Arte Moreno’s 23-Year Angels Ownership Ends
Moreno, 80, purchased the Angels from the Walt Disney Company in 2003 for $180 million. The transaction made him the first Mexican-American owner of a major professional sports franchise in U.S. history.
His ownership began shortly after the Angels won the World Series for the first time in franchise history. The club remained competitive during the early part of his tenure, reaching the postseason in five of six seasons beginning in 2004. The team’s success was later reinforced by the arrival of Mike Trout, who developed into a three-time American League MVP and future Hall of Famer.
The Angels returned to the playoffs in 2014, but that remains their most recent postseason appearance. They have not won a playoff game or postseason series since 2009. The extended decline became especially notable because it overlapped with Trout’s prime years and the first six MLB seasons of Shohei Ohtani.
Angels Face Critical Baseball Operations Decisions
The change in ownership is likely to bring immediate attention to the organization’s baseball leadership. The Angels are on their seventh manager since 2018, while interim general manager John Mozeliak is the sixth person to lead baseball operations during Moreno’s ownership.
One of Kroenke’s first significant decisions will be whether to retain Mozeliak as the permanent head of baseball operations or begin an external search. That choice could shape the club’s direction for years, particularly as the new ownership group attempts to rebuild the roster and restore credibility.
- The Angels last reached the postseason in 2014.
- The franchise has not won a postseason game since 2009.
- Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani played key roles during the team’s prolonged competitive window.
- John Mozeliak is currently serving as interim general manager.
- The sale could exceed MLB’s $3.9 billion Padres ownership record.
Moreno’s tenure was also weakened by several expensive free-agent contracts that failed to produce sustained success. Deals involving Josh Hamilton, Albert Pujols, Anthony Rendon, Justin Upton and Gary Matthews Jr. became symbols of the franchise’s uneven roster-building strategy.
Frequent changes in leadership further complicated the team’s efforts to build a stable contender. Kroenke now inherits a club with a prominent market, a recognizable brand and a long list of baseball challenges.
What Stan Kroenke’s Ownership Could Mean for the Angels
Kroenke’s experience across multiple sports gives the Angels a new leadership profile, although baseball success will depend on more than ownership resources. The organization must improve player development, roster construction, coaching stability and long-term planning.
The Rams, Nuggets and Avalanche have each experienced meaningful success under Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, but every franchise operates differently. Angels fans will be watching closely to see whether the new ownership group commits to a comprehensive baseball rebuild or pursues a faster path toward contention.
The deal also places renewed focus on the future of the franchise in Southern California. With the Angels playing in one of baseball’s biggest markets, expectations will be high from the moment the transaction is finalized. For supporters, the sale represents the possibility of a fresh start after more than a decade of disappointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is buying the Los Angeles Angels?
Stan Kroenke, through Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, has agreed to buy the Angels from Arte Moreno.
How much could the Angels sale be worth?
The financial terms have not been disclosed, but the Los Angeles Times reported that the deal could exceed MLB’s record $3.9 billion Padres sale.
When did the Angels last make the playoffs?
The Angels last reached the postseason in 2014. They have not won a postseason game or series since 2009.
What teams does Stan Kroenke own?
Kroenke owns the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche and Colorado Rapids. He also owns Arsenal of the Premier League through his holding company.
What is Kroenke’s first major decision with the Angels?
One of his first major decisions will be whether to retain interim general manager John Mozeliak or conduct a search for an external baseball operations leader.
