Most expensive MLB franchises: Angels sale sets new record for baseball team

A new era of the Los Angeles Angels began Tuesday.

The team, owned by Arte Moreno since 2003, is being sold to Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which also owns the NBA's Denver Nuggets, the NFL's Los Angeles Rams, the NHL's Colorado Avalanche, the Colorado Rapids of MLS and Arsenal F.C. of the Premier League.

While the sale isn't expected to be finalized until 2027, the Angels' valuation in the sale is slated to become the new MLB record for a franchise sale.

Here's a look at how the price of the Angels compares to the highest marks in MLB and North American professional sports history.

MORE: Who are MLB's worst owners after Arte Moreno sells Angels?

Most expensive MLB franchise sales

The Angels are being sold for $4 billion, per ESPN, which sets a new MLB record for franchise sale valuation for the second time this year.

Earlier in 2026, the San Diego Padres' sale for $3.9 billion set a new MLB record, which was short-lived. Prior to that sale, Steve Cohen's 2020 purchase of the New York Mets was the most expensive at $2.4 billion.

Here's the updated list of the most expensive MLB team sales:

MORE: Inside Stan Kroenke's stable of sports teams

Who bought the Angels?

The Angels are being bought by billionaire Stan Kroenke and his holding company, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. The company already has controlling stakes in the NFL's Rams, NBA's Nuggets, NHL's Avalanche, MLS' Rapids and Premier League's Arsenal F.C.

"The Angels are a storied franchise anchored in a great market," Kroenke wrote in a statement about the sale, per ESPN. "We look forward to an exciting future with the Angels organization."

Kroenke, 79, was being the Rams' move from St. Louis back to Los Angeles in 2016, and the construction of SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. His teams across all leagues have earned a reputation for success in recent years. 

How did Stan Kroenke make his money?

Kroenke primarily built his money into a sports holding empire through strategic real-estate development tied to Walmart. He married his wife, Ann Walton, in 1974; Walton is heiress to the Walmart fortune, as her father, Bud Walton, was the brother of Walmart founder Sam Walton.

In 1983, Kroenke founded the Kroenke Group, a real estate development firm that built shopping centers and apartment buildings, primarily around Walmart stores. He also founded a real estate development company that specializes in suburban development, THF Realty, in 1991.

As of 2026, Kroenke is the largest private landowner in the U.S.

MORE: How did John Fisher make his money?

Other teams owned by Stan Kroenke

Kroenke owns the following sports franchises, on top of his new Angels purchase:

• Los Angeles Rams (NFL)
• Denver Nuggets (NBA)
• Colorado Avalanche (NHL)
• Colorado Rapids (MLS)
• Arsenal F.C. (Premier League)
• Arsental W.F.C. (Women's Super League)
• Colorado Mammoth (NLL)

Most expensive sports franchise sales

The Lakers recently set a new record for North American professional sports franchise sales when Josh Kushner and Bob Iger purchased the NBA franchise for $12.5 billion.

Here's a look at the updated list of most expensive sales for a U.S. sports franchise: