Stan Kroenke is set to become the new controlling owner of the Los Angeles Angels in a record $4 billion deal. After years of frustration, losing seasons and calls to sell the team, Angels fans are now wondering if a new owner can finally bring winning baseball back to Anaheim.

The Los Angeles Angels are being sold by the team's longstanding owner, Arte Moreno, to Kroenke Sports & Entertainment firm which is owned by billionaire Stan Kroenke. The deal is set to be finalized in the first quarter of 2027 and it must be approved by Major League Baseball. The current sale at $4 billion marks the most expensive purchase of an MLB franchise ever. It would pass the previous record of $3.9 billion, set by the San Diego Padres earlier this year.

“The Angels are a storied franchise anchored in a great market,” Kroenke said in a statement. “We look forward to an exciting future with the Angels organization.”

Those words have much weight for the Angels fans, as there have been many great players on the team but winning has been hard lately.

Why are fans so ready for a change?

Moreno bought the Angels from The Walt Disney Co. for $183.5 million in 2003, just one year after the franchise won its only World Series championship. His early years as owner were exciting. The Angels won several American League West titles and became one of baseball’s strongest teams. The club also signed major stars, including Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton and C.J. Wilson.

However, everything changed afterwards. The Angels made it to the playoffs just one time from 2010 till now. Moreover, despite possessing some of the greatest baseball players, including Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, the Angels have not been doing well. Longtime fan and Orange County Board of Supervisors Chairman Doug Chaffee believes the team needs more than individual stars.

The team also made expensive moves that failed to deliver. Anthony Rendon signed a seven-year, $245 million contract in 2019, but injuries limited him to just 257 games for the Angels. He last played for the club in 2024.

Could Kroenke bring back the Angels’ identity?

Some fans believe the change should go beyond the players and front office. Former Anaheim City Councilman Jose Moreno hopes Kroenke will listen to local supporters, including those who want the team to return to the California Angels or Anaheim Angels name.

“The Los Angeles Angels thing never went over well in Orange County,” longtime fan Kirk San Roman said.

There is also hope that Kroenke will invest more heavily in the team and its connection with Anaheim. Kroenke already has a major sports presence in Southern California. His company owns the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and developed SoFi Stadium and the surrounding Hollywood Park area in Inglewood.

What happens next?

Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken has welcomed the new ownership and has said that the city is hopeful about collaborating with Kroenke on matters like housing, open spaces and youth sports.

But the tough part would be on the baseball field. As Business Fortune observes, Angels fans have already made their feelings clear with repeated “Sell the team” chants at Angel Stadium. Now they are getting the change they demanded. The next question is whether Kroenke can turn that change into a winning team.

If he succeeds, the Angels could eventually move from being a struggling franchise with a famous history to a serious baseball contender again. The coming years could determine whether this $4 billion purchase becomes one of MLB’s biggest success stories.

 

FAQs

Who is buying the Angels?

Stan Kroenke, through Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, is acquiring a controlling interest in the team.

How much are the Angels being sold for?

The Angels have been valued at a reported $4 billion, a record MLB sale price.

When is the sale expected to close?

The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, pending MLB approval and customary closing conditions.

Who currently owns the Angels?

Arte Moreno and his family have owned the franchise since purchasing it from Disney in 2003.

Why are Angels fans hopeful about Kroenke?

Fans point to Kroenke’s success with the Rams, his sports-business experience and hopes for greater investment in the Angels.