The proposed sale of the Angels baseball team by current owner Arte Moreno to Stan Kroenke, owner of the LA Rams, has brought renewed focus on the condition and future of Angel Stadium. The announcement of the sale, made in a joint statement at the beginning of this month, has prompted discussions among elected officials about a new day for Anaheim.
Simultaneously, an assessment of Angel Stadium’s condition, initiated by Anaheim city officials, is underway and expected to conclude by the end of the year. This timeline is crucial as the Angels team sale is also anticipated to finalize before the year's end. The timing has led to inquiries regarding which party—Moreno or Kroenke—will be accountable for any necessary repairs identified by the assessment, inquiries that spokespeople for the Angels, Kroenke, and the city have not yet directly addressed.
State Senator Tom Umberg, who previously advocated for an audit of the Angel Stadium lease, suggested that Moreno and Kroenke would likely resolve repair cost allocation through negotiations. He expressed hope that the stadium would ultimately be sold, shifting responsibility for its upkeep and operation away from taxpayers. State Assemblyman Avelino Valencia, who joined Umberg in calling for the audit, did not provide comment through a spokesperson.
The state audit, conducted concurrently with the property assessment, identified significant limitations in the current lease regarding the revenue Anaheim generates from the stadium. Auditors also noted unclear terms that hinder city officials' ability to verify proper maintenance of the property. Furthermore, the audit highlighted an unresolved dispute between city leaders and Angels executives concerning tens of millions of dollars in repair costs, with the ballclub claiming the city should reimburse them for excess spending once the lease concludes, a claim disputed by city leaders.
Under the reinstated stadium lease, the Angels are obligated to maintain the property at a “first class professional level.” City Attorney Rob Fabela has previously stated publicly that this stipulation makes the Angels responsible for any repairs. The lease also permits the team tenant to assign the lease to a new owner without city consent, provided Major League Baseball approves the sale, which has not yet occurred.
A spokesperson for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Joanna Hunter, declined to comment on whether Kroenke or Moreno would fund repairs or if Kroenke acquired the team without knowledge of the stadium’s condition, referring instead to the joint news release announcing the team sale. An Angels spokesperson similarly refrained from direct comment on repair funding but affirmed that the lease remains tied to the team, irrespective of ownership, and that the city has no role in the sale. In past statements, the team has asserted that it has exceeded the lease's maintenance and improvement requirements under Moreno’s ownership.
City Spokesman Mike Lyster confirmed that the lease has not yet been reassigned, explaining that the proposed team acquisition requires review by the proposed acquirer and Major League Baseball approval, a process expected to take several months. Lyster deemed it premature to speculate on the matter. Anaheim Mayor Ashleigh Aitken and other city council members did not respond to requests for comment. Mayor Aitken previously indicated that the current lease, which she has criticized, would remain in effect if the deal proceeds.
Beyond immediate repairs, questions are also emerging about the long-term future of the stadium and its approximately 150-acre site. Orange County Register business columnist Johnathan Lanser has speculated that Kroenke might opt to demolish the existing stadium to construct a new one and redevelop the expansive parking areas. A spokesperson for Kroenke informed Forbes earlier this month that while immediate redevelopment of the ballpark is not planned, it remains a future possibility.
Senator Umberg suggested that if the stadium is not sold outright, city officials should renegotiate the lease with Kroenke upon his takeover. He stated, "This current lease is unfair to Anaheim taxpayers," emphasizing the importance of a fair deal for Anaheim citizens if the Angels remain in the city.
