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The Los Angeles Angels are entering a completely different ownership era. Stan Kroenke has agreed to purchase controlling ownership of the franchise. The deal ends Arte Moreno’s 23-year run as Angels owner. Kroenke already owns several major professional sports franchises. His arrival gives the Angels an ownership group with championship experience. However, the sale still requires approval from Major League Baseball. The transaction should become official during the first quarter of 2027.
Moreno Era Comes to an End
Moreno purchased the Angels from the Walt Disney Company in 2003. He paid $183.5 million for the franchise. The purchase came shortly after the Angels won their only World Series. Moreno initially enjoyed significant success with the organization. The Angels won five American League West titles from 2004 through 2009. They also reached the American League Championship Series twice during that period. However, the organization struggled badly during the second half of Moreno’s tenure. The Angels have not recorded a winning season since 2015. They also have not returned to the postseason since 2014. That drought became the longest active postseason drought in Major League Baseball. The Angels entered September with a 53-85 record.
That mark placed them among baseball’s worst teams this season. Fan frustration also became increasingly visible around Angel Stadium. Supporters repeatedly called for Moreno to sell the franchise. Those demonstrations continued throughout the 2026 season. Moreno had explored selling the team in 2022. However, he abandoned that process in early 2023. This time, the sale will move forward pending MLB approval.
Kroenke Brings a Different Resume
Kroenke brings an extensive sports portfolio to Anaheim. His Kroenke Sports & Entertainment group owns the Los Angeles Rams. It also owns the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche. The company owns the Colorado Rapids as well. Kroenke also owns Arsenal of the English Premier League. Those organizations have produced championships across several sports. The Rams won Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. The Nuggets won the NBA championship in 2023. The Avalanche won the Stanley Cup in 2022. Arsenal also recently won the Premier League title. That track record has created optimism around the Angels. Still, baseball presents different challenges from football, basketball, and hockey. Kroenke must now build a successful baseball operation from the ground up.
The Angels Need More Than Money
The Angels have spent plenty of money during Moreno’s ownership. However, spending alone did not produce sustained success. The franchise made several expensive investments in veteran players. Some of those contracts produced limited returns. The organization also struggled to maintain enough depth around its stars. That problem became especially important during Mike Trout’s career. Trout became one of baseball’s greatest players in Anaheim. However, he has appeared in only one postseason series with the Angels. That series ended with a three-game sweep against Kansas City in 2014. Trout also shared the roster with Shohei Ohtani for six seasons. The Angels still never reached the postseason during that partnership. Ohtani eventually left Anaheim and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. That departure became another major frustration for Angels supporters.
Kroenke Has Plenty to Fix
Kroenke will inherit an organization that needs significant structural improvements. MLB reports that the Angels recently hired John Mozeliak to oversee baseball operations. Mozeliak previously served as the longtime general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals. He became the first Moreno-era baseball executive with previous permanent GM experience. That change could provide a foundation for the next ownership group. Kroenke could also invest in player development and organizational infrastructure. MLB reports that his organizations have emphasized research and development. The Angels need improvements throughout their baseball operation. That includes scouting, analytics, player development, and roster construction. Free-agent spending alone will not solve those problems. A sustainable system must consistently produce major league talent.
A Record Sale
The Angels reportedly reached an agreement at a $4 billion valuation. That figure would establish a new MLB franchise sale record. The previous record belonged to the San Diego Padres. Their sale reportedly reached $3.9 billion earlier this year. Forbes valued the Angels at $2.8 billion in March. Moreno purchased the franchise for only $183.5 million in 2003. That represents a massive increase in franchise value. It also shows the financial growth of Major League Baseball franchises. For Moreno, the sale ends a complicated chapter. For Kroenke, it begins his first ownership venture in Major League Baseball.
The Next Chapter Begins
The Angels now have an opportunity to change their organizational direction. Kroenke cannot officially take control until MLB approves the transaction. Until then, the Angels plan to continue normal operations. The new ownership group will eventually decide how to reshape the franchise. That could include changes throughout the front office. It could also involve additional investment in player development. The stadium situation could become another major priority. Anaheim owns Angel Stadium and the surrounding land. The Angels currently have a lease that runs through December 2032. Additional extensions could keep the team there through 2038. Kroenke has extensive experience developing major sports and entertainment districts.
His Hollywood Park project surrounds SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. That experience could become important in future discussions about Angel Stadium. For Angels fans, the ownership change represents something they have wanted for years. The franchise will now enter a new era under a proven sports ownership group. Kroenke still has plenty to prove in baseball. His success with other teams does not guarantee success with the Angels. However, the change gives the franchise a fresh starting point. After years of frustration, Angels fans finally have a different ownership future ahead. Now, Kroenke must turn that optimism into results on the baseball field.
This is big for the Los Angles Angels and MLB.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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