Anaheim, CA – The impending sale of the Angels baseball team from owner Arte Moreno to Stan Kroenke, owner of the LA Rams, is raising significant questions regarding responsibility for potential repairs at Angel Stadium. This uncertainty comes as an ongoing assessment of the stadium's condition is expected to conclude by the end of the year, prior to the finalization of the team sale.
The announcement of the sale, made jointly by the Angels at the beginning of this month, marks a new chapter for Anaheim, according to elected officials. However, the timing of the stadium assessment's completion and the sale's finalization has prompted inquiries into who will be financially accountable for any necessary repairs. Neither city officials nor spokespeople for the Angels or Kroenke are providing answers to these questions.
The stadium condition assessment, which officials publicly stated in 2023 would take two months, is now being conducted in phases and is anticipated to wrap up before the team sale is finalized. This assessment follows a period four years ago when a prior Anaheim City Council sought to understand the state of the stadium, a major city taxpayer asset, after a corruption scandal derailed a previous deal to sell the stadium to Moreno.
State Senator Tom Umberg, who successfully pushed for an audit of the Angel Stadium lease, believes that Arte Moreno and Stan Kroenke will address the cost of repairs during their negotiations. Umberg expressed hope that the stadium sale proceeds, shifting the burden of upkeep, maintenance, and operation away from Anaheim taxpayers. He noted that this outcome would be in the best interest of Anaheim citizens and taxpayers. State Assemblyman Avelino Valencia, who joined Umberg in calling for the audit, did not respond to requests for comments.
The audit, which was completed while the property assessment was underway, highlighted several concerns. Auditors found that the current lease severely limits the revenue Anaheim generates from the stadium. Furthermore, its unclear terms have prevented city officials from adequately overseeing the property’s maintenance. The audit also revealed an unresolved financial dispute between city leaders and Angels executives regarding tens of millions of dollars for repairs. Ballclub leaders assert the city will owe them for excess spending once the lease concludes, a claim city leaders dispute.
Under the current 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 means the Angels are responsible for any required repairs. The lease also permits the stadium tenant to assign the lease to a new team owner without city consent, provided Major League Baseball approves the sale. MLB has yet to grant its approval for the current sale, a process expected to take several months.
Joanna Hunter, a spokeswoman for Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, would not comment on whether Kroenke or Moreno would pay for the repairs. She also did not answer if Kroenke agreed to purchase the team without knowledge of Angel Stadium’s condition, referring instead to the joint news release announcing the sale. Separately, a spokesperson for the Angels declined to comment directly on who would cover repair costs. They stated that the lease is tied to the team regardless of ownership, similar to when they inherited it from Disney, and asserted the city has no role in the sale process. The Angels’ spokesperson has previously stated the team has paid more than required by the lease for maintenance and improvements under Moreno’s ownership.
City Spokesman Mike Lyster confirmed there has been no reassignment of the lease at this time. He noted that the proposed team acquisition requires review by the prospective buyer and Major League Baseball approval, which is not anticipated for several months. Lyster considered speculation about the lease's reassignment premature at this stage. He could not immediately provide details on the cost incurred by the city for the stadium condition assessment to date. Mayor Ashleigh Aitken and other city council members did not respond to requests for comment last week. Mayor Aitken has previously told a local publication that if the deal is approved, the existing lease, which she has criticized, would remain in effect.
Beyond the immediate repair costs, questions are also emerging about the future of the stadium and the approximately 150 acres it occupies. Orange County Register business columnist Johnathan Lanser speculated that Kroenke might consider demolishing the current stadium to construct a new one and redevelop the extensive parking lots. Lanser suggested that modern stadiums offer amenities, particularly luxury options, that older venues lack and help generate revenue. A spokesperson for Kroenke told Forbes earlier this month that while Kroenke is not prepared to immediately redevelop the ballpark, it remains a possibility for the future.
Senator Umberg urged city officials to renegotiate the lease with Kroenke once he assumes ownership, particularly if they do not pursue selling the stadium itself. Umberg asserted that the current lease is "unfair to Anaheim taxpayers." He emphasized the importance of the rent and stadium upkeep reflecting the best interests of Anaheim, stating that while keeping the Angels in the city is desirable, securing a fair deal for Anaheim citizens is paramount.
