Arturo «Arte» Moreno has owned the Los Angeles Angels since May 15, 2003. He is the first Mexican-American — and first Latino — to own a major professional sports franchise in the United States, and he’s still running the show. In February 2026 he made it plain: «I still love owning the team.» That came after he walked away from a potential sale in 2022–2023 that could have fetched more than the $2.42 billion Steve Cohen paid for the Mets.
Ownership at a Glance
- Principal owner: Arturo «Arte» Moreno
- Ownership entity: Angels Baseball LP, controlled by the Moreno family
- In charge since: 2003
- Purchase price: $180 million
- Current franchise value (Forbes, March 2026): $2.7 billion
- Moreno’s personal net worth: $4.9 billion
- Return on investment: More than 14x in 23 years
Who Is Arte Moreno?
Moreno was born August 14, 1946, in Tucson, Arizona — the oldest of 11 children in a Mexican-American family. He was drafted into the Army in 1966 and served in Vietnam through 1968. After coming home he earned a marketing degree from the University of Arizona in 1973 and built his fortune entirely from scratch in the outdoor advertising business.
His path ran through Eller Outdoor and then Outdoor Systems in Phoenix, where he rose to president and CEO. The company went public in 1996 and was sold to Infinity Broadcasting in 1998 for $8 billion. Long before the Angels, he had already dipped into baseball: he was a co-owner of the Salt Lake Trappers, a minor-league club, starting in 1986.
How He Got the Team
Moreno bought the Anaheim Angels from Disney on May 15, 2003, for $180 million — making history as the first Mexican-American owner of a major American sports franchise. The franchise had changed hands a few times before that:
- 1996: Disney bought a controlling interest from Gene Autry for $140 million
- 1999: Disney completed the purchase after Autry’s death in 1998
- 2003: Arte Moreno buys from Disney for $180 million
- 2022–2023: Moreno opened a sale process in August 2022, then pulled the plug in January 2023. Forbes reported offers above the $2.42 billion Cohen paid for the Mets, with speculation reaching $3 billion.
One of his first moves as owner? He cut ticket prices and lowered beer prices — a gesture that defined his early relationship with the fanbase.
Beyond the Angels
Moreno’s portfolio extends past baseball. In 2006 he led a group that bought KMXE 830 AM, then the largest Spanish-language AM station in the country. He founded the Moreno Family Foundation in 1997, focused on youth, education, and University of Arizona athletics. His holdings also include real estate and active political donations in Arizona and California.
One deal that didn’t happen: a real estate development around Angel Stadium fell apart after the city of Anaheim canceled the land sale following an FBI corruption investigation.
Where to Watch Angels Games in 2026
While 15 other teams handed their local broadcast rights to MLB in 2026, Moreno went the opposite direction. He bought a 50% stake in Main Street Sports Group on FanDuel Sports Network and became the sole owner-operator of the channel. On May 1, 2026, it relaunched as ABTV / Angels Broadcast Television on the same Southern California cable and satellite platforms, also carrying NHL’s LA Kings.
- Streaming: Angels.TV inside MLB.TV — $19.99/month or $99.99/season
- English radio: KLAA 830 AM and KSPN 710 AM
- Spanish radio: KWKW 1330 AM
Where Moreno Ranks Among MLB’s 30 Owners
- By franchise value: #13 of 30
- By original purchase price: #18 of 27
- By personal net worth: #9 of 21
- By years as owner: #13 of 30
Purchase prices are nominal and not adjusted for inflation — comparing a 2003 price tag to a 2026 valuation overstates the real gain.
The Bottom Line
Arte Moreno paid $180 million for a baseball team in 2003. Forbes now pegs it at $2.7 billion — more than 14 times his original investment over 23 years. He’s a Vietnam veteran, the oldest of 11 kids, and a self-made billionaire who turned outdoor advertising into one of the most historically significant ownership stories in American sports. He had a chance to cash out at a record price and said no. As of 2026, he’s still in the building.
