Kroenke Sports and Entertainment has agreed to acquire majority ownership of the Los Angeles Angels from Arte Moreno, broadening its portfolio of sports teams to include the struggling baseball club, marking its presence in every major U.S. professional sport.
Stan Kroenke’s company made the unexpected announcement on Tuesday, revealing plans to finalize the deal by early 2027. The sale is subject to approval by Major League Baseball, which has not yet commented on the development.
The company already owns the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, Premier League champion Arsenal, the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids, SoFi Stadium, and the expansive Hollywood Park campus surrounding the multibillion-dollar Inglewood arena. With the addition of the Angels, Kroenke’s conglomerate now ventures into the realm of baseball, marking the end of Arte Moreno’s tumultuous 23-year ownership tenure.
“The Angels have a rich history in a vibrant market,” stated Kroenke. “We are excited about the future ahead with the Angels organization.”
Arte Moreno, a prominent outdoor advertising tycoon from Arizona, purchased the Angels from the Walt Disney Company in 2003. Despite early success with several AL West titles in the 2000s, the team’s performance dwindled post-2009, culminating in a prolonged period of underachievement.
Currently positioned at the bottom of the AL standings with a 53-85 record, the Angels are on track for their 11th consecutive losing season and 12th consecutive playoff absence, holding the longest active streaks in the league.
In contrast, Kroenke’s teams have consistently excelled in their respective sports in recent years, clinching championships and maintaining strong contention status. Noteworthy achievements include titles by the Rams, Avalanche, Nuggets, and Arsenal within the past five years.
Arte Moreno’s management style has faced criticism for his involvement in personnel decisions, leading to costly acquisitions that failed to deliver the expected results. The Angels also encountered off-field challenges under Moreno’s leadership, further contributing to the team’s struggles.
Despite maintaining a loyal fan base in Orange County, Moreno’s tenure witnessed a decline in fan support in recent years. The decision to retain ownership was briefly reconsidered in 2022 but ultimately persisted until the recent agreement with Kroenke Sports and Entertainment.
John Mozeliak’s appointment following the dismissal of general manager Perry Minasian earlier this year marks a significant shift in the Angels’ direction, signaling a potential rebuild under new management.
Arte Moreno expressed gratitude for his family’s stewardship of the Angels over two decades and endorsed Kroenke Sports and Entertainment as the ideal future owner for the franchise. The transition to new ownership marks a pivotal chapter in the Angels’ history, which dates back to their establishment in 1961 by Hollywood icon Gene Autry.
