Blab Sports
Angels Owner Arte Moreno Agrees to Sell Franchise to Stan Kroenke Amid Fan Protests
On September 2, 2026, the Los Angeles Angels announced that owner Arte Moreno had agreed to sell the franchise to sports‑mogul Stan Kroenke. The $4.5 billion deal is slated to close in the first quarter of 2027, pending Major League Baseball’s approval.
Moreno’s decision followed months of vocal opposition from the Angels’ fan base. Throughout the 2026 season, supporters gathered in Angel Stadium’s upper decks and outside the ballpark, chanting “sell the team.” Organizers, including Johnny Gonzalez, told reporters that the protests would continue until Moreno stepped down. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal described the chants as creating a “negative environment” that “did affect him” and prompted him to consider leaving the club.
The owner’s tenure began in 2003 when he purchased the Anaheim Angels from the Walt Disney Company for roughly $184 million. Moreno’s era produced six American League West titles and six playoff appearances, but the club has not reached the postseason since 2014. After hinting at a sale in 2022, Moreno opted to stay in January 2023. The September announcement marked the first time he agreed to sell.
The Angels’ sale follows a record‑setting transaction earlier in the year. In April, the San Diego Padres were sold for $3.9 billion, the highest price ever paid for an MLB franchise. Moreno reportedly felt that the Padres’ sale “set a price he wanted” and that he no longer needed the team.
Behind the scenes, the Angels’ front office was already in flux. Team president John Carpino retired in March, and Molly Jolly was appointed president shortly thereafter. Jolly’s arrival triggered a shake‑up that included the dismissal of general manager Perry Minasian in June and the appointment of John Mozeliak as interim GM. Mozeliak has overseen a series of roster moves, including firing three pitching coaches and reorganizing the scouting department.
Kroenke’s ownership style contrasts with Moreno’s hands‑on approach. Kroenke, who owns the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Arsenal F.C., and other teams, is known for hiring managers and granting them operational independence. Moreno, by contrast, frequently involved himself in roster and front‑office decisions.
The Angels’ sale is part of a broader trend of MLB franchise ownership changes. The league has seen several high‑profile sales in recent years, and the transaction adds a major league club to Kroenke’s expanding sports portfolio.
The fan base remains divided. Some supporters welcomed the sale as an end to the “sell the team” chants, while others expressed uncertainty about the franchise’s future direction. The team’s next season will begin under new ownership, but league approval is still pending.
In the coming months, the Angels will focus on integrating the new ownership structure, finalizing the sale, and preparing for the 2027 season. The league will need to approve the transaction, and the front office will likely continue to adjust personnel as the new ownership takes shape.
The sale marks the end of an era for the Angels and the beginning of a new chapter under Kroenke’s stewardship. The franchise’s performance on the field, fan engagement, and organizational culture will be closely watched as the transition unfolds.
Moreno’s decision followed months of vocal opposition from the Angels’ fan base. Throughout the 2026 season, supporters gathered in Angel Stadium’s upper decks and outside the ballpark, chanting “sell the team.” Organizers, including Johnny Gonzalez, told reporters that the protests would continue until Moreno stepped down. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal described the chants as creating a “negative environment” that “did affect him” and prompted him to consider leaving the club.
The owner’s tenure began in 2003 when he purchased the Anaheim Angels from the Walt Disney Company for roughly $184 million. Moreno’s era produced six American League West titles and six playoff appearances, but the club has not reached the postseason since 2014. After hinting at a sale in 2022, Moreno opted to stay in January 2023. The September announcement marked the first time he agreed to sell.
The Angels’ sale follows a record‑setting transaction earlier in the year. In April, the San Diego Padres were sold for $3.9 billion, the highest price ever paid for an MLB franchise. Moreno reportedly felt that the Padres’ sale “set a price he wanted” and that he no longer needed the team.
Behind the scenes, the Angels’ front office was already in flux. Team president John Carpino retired in March, and Molly Jolly was appointed president shortly thereafter. Jolly’s arrival triggered a shake‑up that included the dismissal of general manager Perry Minasian in June and the appointment of John Mozeliak as interim GM. Mozeliak has overseen a series of roster moves, including firing three pitching coaches and reorganizing the scouting department.
Kroenke’s ownership style contrasts with Moreno’s hands‑on approach. Kroenke, who owns the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Nuggets, Colorado Avalanche, Arsenal F.C., and other teams, is known for hiring managers and granting them operational independence. Moreno, by contrast, frequently involved himself in roster and front‑office decisions.
The Angels’ sale is part of a broader trend of MLB franchise ownership changes. The league has seen several high‑profile sales in recent years, and the transaction adds a major league club to Kroenke’s expanding sports portfolio.
The fan base remains divided. Some supporters welcomed the sale as an end to the “sell the team” chants, while others expressed uncertainty about the franchise’s future direction. The team’s next season will begin under new ownership, but league approval is still pending.
In the coming months, the Angels will focus on integrating the new ownership structure, finalizing the sale, and preparing for the 2027 season. The league will need to approve the transaction, and the front office will likely continue to adjust personnel as the new ownership takes shape.
The sale marks the end of an era for the Angels and the beginning of a new chapter under Kroenke’s stewardship. The franchise’s performance on the field, fan engagement, and organizational culture will be closely watched as the transition unfolds.
