Arte Moreno agrees to sell Los Angeles Angels to Stan Kroenke in record $4 billion deal

A Record Sale Ends a Tumultuous Era

Arte Moreno has agreed to sell controlling interest in the Los Angeles Angels to Stan Kroenke, the owner of the Rams, Nuggets, and Avalanche, for $4 billion. The deal, announced Tuesday, is the most expensive in Major League Baseball history, according to Fox News and the New York Post. It is pending MLB approval and is expected to close in early 2027.

Kroenke, whose Kroenke Sports & Entertainment will acquire the franchise, said in a statement: "The Angels are a storied franchise anchored in a great market. We look forward to an exciting future with the Angels organization."

Moreno, who bought the club in 2003 for $184 million, also released a statement: "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."

A Legacy of Success and Frustation

Moreno's tenure began with promise. He purchased the defending World Series champions from Disney and became MLB's first Latino majority owner. Under his ownership, the Angels won five AL West titles between 2004 and 2009 and set a franchise record with 100 victories in 2008. In 2014, they posted an MLB-best 98 victories and returned to the postseason.

But that success gave way to a prolonged decline. The Angels have not made the playoffs since 2014, the longest active postseason drought in baseball, as reported by both outlets. The team has not posted a winning record since 2015 and is headed toward an 11th consecutive losing season, according to the New York Post.

Key Decisions and Missed Opportunities

The New York Post detailed a series of moves that contributed to the team's struggles. In 2011, the Angels traded Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera for Vernon Wells, assuming $81 million of the remaining $86 million on his contract. Wells struggled, while Napoli became an All-Star. The team then signed Albert Pujols to a 10-year, $240 million deal and added Josh Hamilton for five years and $125 million; neither lived up to expectations.

Mike Trout, who won three MVP awards, and Shohei Ohtani, signed in 2018, formed a generational duo, but the team failed to build a winning roster around them. In 2023, the Angels acquired Lucas Giolito and other veterans at the trade deadline, only to place them on waivers weeks later. Ohtani departed after that season without the Angels receiving any prospect return, joining the Dodgers for $700 million, as reported by the New York Post.

Off-Field Turmoil and Fan Revolt

The team's struggles extended beyond the field. In 2020, the Angels furloughed scouts and player-development employees, according to the New York Post. Anaheim canceled a proposed stadium and land sale after then-mayor Harry Sidhu leaked information. Moreno announced he was exploring a sale in 2022, then ended the process in January 2023.

Tyler Skaggs, an Angels pitcher, died in 2019 from an accidental overdose after receiving a fentanyl-laced pill from Eric Kay, a former team employee. Kay was convicted and sentenced to 22 years, the New York Post reported.

Fan frustration grew, with chants demanding Moreno sell the team. The New York Post noted that supporters celebrated Tuesday's announcement like a championship victory.

A New Chapter

The sale price of $4 billion eclipses the Padres' $3.9 billion record and Steve Cohen's $2.4 billion purchase of the Mets, according to Fox News. Across American sports, it matches Mat Ishbia's $4 billion Phoenix Suns takeover, trailing only the Denver Broncos ($4.65 billion) and Washington Commanders ($6.05 billion).

Moreno will leave with approximately $4 billion from the sale, the New York Post reported. The team fired general manager Perry Minasian in June, as reported by Fox News.

Kroenke's purchase marks a new chapter for a franchise that has not won a playoff game since 2009. The deal's completion in early 2027 will formally end Moreno's 23-year stewardship, a tenure that brought early success but ultimately became defined by unmet expectations and a long postseason drought.