Stan Kroenke is set to expand his sports empire by acquiring the MLB’s Los Angeles Angels in a deal valued at $4 billion, according to ESPN. The transaction, expected to close in the first quarter of 2027 and subject to MLB approval, would make Kroenke the owner of a team in each of the four major U.S. sports leagues, NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB, as well as a Premier League club in Arsenal.

A Record Deal in MLB

The purchase price surpasses the previous record of $3.9 billion paid this year for the San Diego Padres, as reported by multiple sources — Kroenke’s acquisition of the Angels would be the second-highest sports team sale in history after the 2021 $6.4 billion purchase of the NFL’s Washington Commanders. The Angels were bought by Arte Moreno in 2003 from Walt Disney for $183.5 million and have been owned by the Moreno family ever since.

Moreno, who became the first Mexican American to own a major U.S. sports franchise, will remain as a minority shareholder in the Angels, according to mlbkor.com. He said in a statement that he believed KSE was the best successor for the franchise due to its track record of success in sports and entertainment.

Angels’ Recent Struggles

Under Moreno’s ownership, the Angels experienced early success, reaching the playoffs in five of the first seven years after he took over. However, the team has struggled in recent years, missing the playoffs for the past 11 seasons and posting a 53–85 record in 2024, placing them at the bottom of the American League. The team has not won a playoff game since 2014, when it lost in a best-of-five series to the Kansas City Royals.

Star players such as Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani have combined for five MVP awards since 2011 but have never led the Angels to a playoff series win. In 2024, the team underwent several front office changes, including the hiring of interim general manager John Mozeliak and the departure of several executives.

Kroenke’s Broader Empire

Stan Kroenke, 79, has built a multi-sport and entertainment empire through his company, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment (KSE), which also owns the Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Colorado Rapids (MLS), and Arsenal (Premier League). The company was valued at over $26 billion in a recent CNBC ranking of sports empires.

Kroenke also developed the SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, a $5 billion project that opened in 2020 and will host the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, as well as multiple Super Bowls. Kroenke’s investment in real estate and sports infrastructure has positioned him as a major player in both the business and entertainment sectors.

“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.”