Stan Kroenke, the owner of the Los Angeles Rams, has secured a definitive agreement to purchase the Los Angeles Angels from Arte Moreno's family for $4 billion, marking a new record in Major League Baseball.
The deal was announced by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment on September 1, 2026, surpassing the previous record of $3.9 billion established by the San Diego Padres earlier in the same year.
The completion of the transaction is anticipated in the first quarter of 2027. Although Forbes valued the Angels at $2.8 billion in March, the final sale price indicates a notable increase. Kroenke expressed his enthusiasm for the team's future, while Moreno reflected on his 23 years of ownership as a significant honor.
Moreno, who made history as the first Latino majority owner in MLB when he acquired the Angels from the Walt Disney Company for $180 million in 2003, faced various challenges during his ownership.
While the team enjoyed success early on, making the playoffs five times in his first seven seasons, they have not returned to the postseason since 2014, which is the longest current drought in the league. Despite high-profile acquisitions like Albert Pujols and Anthony Rendon, the team struggled to achieve consistent success.
The franchise did draft Mike Trout in 2009, who has become one of baseball's elite players, yet the team has only reached the playoffs once during his tenure.