Stan Kroenke will gain control of the Los Angeles Angels after Kroenke Sports + Entertainment agreed to purchase a controlling interest for a reported $4bn.
The deal, announced Tuesday, is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027 and requires approval from Major League Baseball and its owners. ESPN reported the $4bn price, which exceeds the previous MLB high of $3.9bn paid for the San Diego Padres earlier this year.
Kroenke Sports + Entertainment is run by Stan Kroenke and already owns the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams, the NBA’s Denver Nuggets, the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche, MLS’s Colorado Rapids, and Arsenal in the English Premier League. The group also operates a professional lacrosse team and Arsenal’s women’s side, and developed a 300-acre property in Inglewood that includes SoFi Stadium. SoFi opened in 2020 after a build cost of more than $5bn, will host its second Super Bowl at the end of the upcoming NFL season, and is slated as a venue for the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics.
Arte Moreno, who purchased the Angels for $183.5m in 2003, has owned the franchise for 23 years. Moreno became the first Mexican American to own a major US sports franchise when he bought the team. In a statement he said, "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."
The sale lands amid prolonged on-field decline for the Angels. After a string of early playoff appearances under Moreno, the club has reached the postseason just once in the last 16 seasons and has not won a playoff game in that span. The team stood 53-85 heading into Tuesday and is on course for an 11th consecutive losing season. Mike Trout, with the club since 2011 and a 12-time All-Star, has made the postseason only once with the Angels, in 2014. Shohei Ohtani and Trout combined to win five MVP awards between 2014 and 2023 while teammates, but the pairing never reached the playoffs.
Fans have protested at games this season, staging chants and actions urging Moreno to sell. Kroenke, in the announcement, said, "The Angels are a storied franchise anchored in a great market," and added, "We look forward to an exciting future with the Angels organization." The sale still hinges on MLB approval and final regulatory steps before the expected Q1 2027 closing.
