Earlier this year, Los Angeles Angels fans were rejoicing at the news that Arte Moreno, the majority owner of the team, was exploring the decision to sell the Angels ahead of the 2023 season. But it turns out, that won’t be the case after all.
The Angels announced on Monday afternoon that the Moreno Family is not willing to sell the team after all, and will continue ownership “throughout the 2023 season and beyond.”
Today, the #Angels announced that the Moreno Family is ending the exploratory process to sell the team and will continue ownership throughout the 2023 Season and beyond. pic.twitter.com/aokYfba1Dp
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) January 23, 2023
“During this process, it became clear that we have unfinished business and feel we can make a positive impact on the future of the team and the fan experience. This offseason we committed to a franchise record player payroll and still want to accomplish our goal of bringing a World Series Championship back to our fans. We are excited about this next chapter of Angels Baseball,” Arte Moreno said in a statement.
Moreno acknowledged that there was plenty of interest in purchasing the club, but as the process went on, he and his family were “not ready” to sell the team.
“As discussions advanced and began to crystallize, we realized our hearts remain with the Angels, and we are not ready to part ways with the fans, players, and our employees.”
It’s massive news, and the MLB world had plenty to say about it on Twitter, with many expressing their condolences to Angels fans that the team will continue to be run by the Moreno family.
Baseball: Big free agent signings, franchise-changing trades, breaking the bank to win championships.
LA Angels: Arte Moreno is forever. https://t.co/dKgKaLra87
— Schlasser (@UrinatingTree) January 23, 2023
I'm genuinely sorry, Angels fans https://t.co/nUpuIHznbW
— Nick Stellini (@StelliniTweets) January 23, 2023
I'm sorry for the Angels fans out there. https://t.co/ZRC4nLurlU
— The Prospect Times (@ProspectTimes) January 23, 2023
Arte is that guy who comes over to your party un-invited, eats all your food and drink and no matter how many hints you drop, refuses to leave! https://t.co/MAFn2LX2dV
— Greg Biggins (@GregBiggins) January 23, 2023
So… what team will Shohei be playing for in 2024?
Can't see it being the Halos. https://t.co/SnyLPT7HGt
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) January 23, 2023
Angels fans are basically experiencing the director's cut of Shawshank where Red gets arrested at the southern border. https://t.co/AAEuN3b30I
— Craig Needles (@NeedlesOnNews) January 23, 2023
Moreno has been notoriously unwilling to spend money during free agency. If he remains as the team owner, that significantly decreases the odds the star Shohei Ohtani remains with the Angels past this season.
[Angels]
