Supporters of the Los Angeles Angels are delivering an unmistakable demand to owner Arte Moreno: it’s time to sell the franchise.
Coordinated through social media platforms including Instagram pages like Angels Boycott and Angels Central, supporters have organized demonstrations at Angel Stadium in recent weeks. These protests are set to reach their peak during Sunday’s nationally televised matchup against the Texas Rangers on Peacock, broadcast from Anaheim, California.
Friday saw Angels supporters encouraged to dress entirely in black while making their voices heard. Saturday brought more than 100 demonstrators to the stadium’s main entrance ahead of the Angels-Rangers contest to voice opposition to Moreno’s leadership.
This followed Thursday’s demonstration by supporters in an otherwise vacant upper section, who gained attention through the trending shirtless “tarps off” movement. Stadium-wide chants of “Sell the Team” and profane expressions targeting Moreno have become commonplace.
Angels supporters cite numerous grievances with the organization, primarily centered on team performance. The franchise hasn’t posted a winning season since 2015 (85-77), and they’re currently under their sixth manager, Kurt Suzuki, since Mike Scioscia’s departure following the 2018 campaign.
The Angels currently hold Major League Baseball’s worst record at 19-34 entering Sunday’s action.
The Angels Central social media page released this statement regarding their movement:
“The chants will continue all season long because this is no longer just about wins and losses. It’s about accountability, leadership, and the future of the franchise. We are not rooting for wins anymore, we are rooting for change.
“For the first time in a long time, Angels fans are united behind one common goal, change in ownership. And the frustration is directed at the person that is responsible for holding this organization hostage. Arte Moreno.”
The franchise entered the American League in 1961 under entertainer Gene Autry’s ownership. Following his 1998 passing, his widow Jackie Autry assumed control of the organization.
The Walt Disney Company held ownership until 2003, transferring the Angels to Moreno after the team captured its sole World Series championship in 2002.
Moreno purchased the franchise for $183.5 million, with Forbes now estimating its worth at $2.8 billion, ranking 11th among MLB franchises in value.
During August 2022, Moreno announced initial steps toward selling the organization. With multiple potential buyers expressing interest, a transaction appeared imminent.
However, the following January saw Moreno declare the team had “unfinished business” and removed it from the market.
After serving as a consistent playoff contender throughout the 2000s’ first decade, the Angels have reached the postseason only once since 2009, suffering a three-game sweep by the Kansas City Royals in the 2014 American League Division Series.
Those three contests represent the entirety of Mike Trout’s playoff experience, despite the three-time American League MVP’s stellar career.
The Angels face multiple organizational challenges.
Primarily, Moreno has faced criticism for failing to invest in free agents to complement two generational talents — Trout and Shohei Ohtani, who earned five MVP awards combined while wearing Angels uniforms. When Moreno did make significant financial commitments, the investments proved unsuccessful.
Prior to the 2012 season, the Angels committed to a 10-year, $240 million contract with 32-year-old Albert Pujols, whose production with the Angels fell far short of his initial 11 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Following Anthony Rendon’s 2019 World Series victory with the Washington Nationals, the Angels signed him to a seven-year, $245 million deal. He’s no longer with the organization — an arrangement was reached for deferred payments to fulfill his contract’s final year — appearing in just 257 games. He contributed 22 home runs and 125 RBIs. During his 146 games with Washington in 2019, he recorded 34 homers and 126 RBIs.
Beyond on-field matters, the Angels and Anaheim — which owns Angel Stadium — continue negotiations regarding stadium lease terms and facility improvements.
The current lease extends through 2032, with the organization seeking renovations to the venue that opened in 1966 and lacks modern stadium amenities. It ranks as the fourth-oldest facility in the majors.
Anaheim mayor Ashleigh Aitken has notified Moreno that the team must abandon its Los Angeles branding and return to the Anaheim Angels name — used from 1997-2004 — before meaningful discussions can proceed.
The California state Assembly unanimously approved legislation titled the “Home Run for Anaheim Act,” mandating the team restore its former name as a prerequisite for any future stadium development, lease, or sale agreements. The measure awaits state Senate consideration.
