Stan Kroenke, that absolute mogul, just bought the Anaheim Angels from Arte Moreno for over $4 billion on September 1. That’s a mind-boggling amount, smashing the previous MLB sale record set by the San Diego Padres. This deal is massive, not just because of the cash, but because the Angels’ lease on their city-owned land in Anaheim actually runs through 2032. Talk about a long-term play, huh?
A New Stadium and the “Home Run for Anaheim Act”
Whispers are already flying around online that Kroenke might build a brand new stadium for the team. While nothing is confirmed yet, let’s be real: Angel Stadium is an underwhelming dump. This whole situation got even more interesting on August 28 when Gov. Newsom signed AB-2512, officially titled “The Home Run for Anaheim Act.” This new law is a game-changer. It gives the city of Anaheim a huge incentive if the team wants to develop the 150-acre Angel Stadium property. The catch? State law would prioritize affordable housing right there on the site. Now, here’s where it gets wild for team owners who live for that sweet, sweet profit from stadium development, with places for fans to eat, drink, and shop 365 days a year. If Anaheim grants an exemption to that affordable housing requirement, letting the team build whatever makes the most cash, then any official materials, including leases or marketing stuff, *have to* refer to them as the **Anaheim Angels**.
That Name Change You’ve Been Waiting For? It’s Happening.
Yeah, you read that right. If you’re thinking this law is a sneaky way to fix the team’s ridiculous name, you are absolutely not wrong. Look, the “Los Angeles Angels” name? It’s been a joke. For years, it’s been geographically incorrect, because Anaheim isn’t Los Angeles, nor is it even in Los Angeles County. Plus, it’s a linguistic nightmare: “Los Angeles” in Spanish already means “the angels,” so they’ve effectively been calling themselves “the angels angels.” And honestly, if you’re like me, you’re just petty about Arte Moreno’s gambit to pander to Los Angeles, especially after he bought the team for a mere $184 million in 2003 and is now set to rake in a massive profit.
The Ohtani Saga Continues: A Tale of Two Bungles
Moreno’s era saw some staggering incompetence from the Angels over the past five years. They had prime Mike Trout and prime Shohei Ohtani together, and still couldn’t even get close to a .500 record, let alone a championship after that dynamic duo’s first year. Ohtani, though, he’s a winner, bagging two championships since he landed with the Dodgers. But here’s the kicker: it’s striking that the Dodgers, with all their resources, are now mirroring the Angels in one crucial way: they’re absolutely bungling their handling of Shohei Ohtani. There is something physically wrong with the guy, and it’s clear for anyone to see.
What’s Next for Anaheim?
With Kroenke now at the helm and a law literally giving Anaheim leverage over the team name, this sale isn’t just about money. It’s about identity, development, and maybe, just maybe, restoring some common sense to an MLB franchise. Will we see the Anaheim Angels play in a shiny new ballpark soon? All eyes are on what Kroenke does next with that massive chunk of land.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
Leave a Reply