Shirtless LA Angels fans’ ‘sell the team’ chant rocks stadium as team slides with worst record in baseball

Frustration surrounding Angels ownership reached another boiling point Monday night as shirtless fans at Angel Stadium turned baseball’s newest viral trend into a loud message aimed directly at owner Arte Moreno.

What began days earlier as the “Tarps Off” craze at Busch Stadium in St. Louis officially made its way to Anaheim during the Angels’ matchup against the Athletics.

But instead of simply creating energy for the home team, fans used the moment to chant “Sell the team!” while waving shirts above their heads in the outfield stands during Los Angeles’ 2-1 walkoff victory over the A’s.

During Monday’s 2-1 victory over the A’s, Angels fans took over a section of the stadium and chanted “Sell the Team” and “Tarps Off” while standing shirtless and waving their shirts over their heads. Reddit/@RasPutinBerry91

During Monday’s 2-1 victory over the A’s, Angels fans took over a section of the stadium and chanted “Sell the Team” and “Tarps Off” while standing shirtless and waving their shirts over their heads. X/@JackJanes_

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The movement mirrors the now-viral scene that unfolded Friday in St. Louis, where hundreds of shirtless St. Louis Cardinals fans helped spark a dramatic extra-innings win over the Kansas City Royals. Started by players from the Stephen F. Austin State University Club Baseball, the celebration quickly exploded across social media and became known as “Tarps Off.”

In Anaheim, however, the atmosphere carried a much different tone.

The chants reflected years of growing frustration with Moreno’s ownership tenure.

According to the reports, “attendance has fallen 20 percent over the past 20 years, a span that includes one postseason series victory and the current streaks of 10 seasons with losing records and 11 seasons without a playoff appearance.”

That frustration has become increasingly visible throughout the 2026 season. During the Angels’ home opener earlier this year, fans loudly booed the ceremonial first pitch and repeatedly broke into “Sell the team” chants throughout the night.

Zach Neto celebrates after hitting a walk-off homer during the Angels’ May 18 game. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Since 2010, the Angels have made the postseason just once and have failed to build a consistent contender despite carrying payrolls near the top half of baseball for much of Moreno’s tenure.

Moreno briefly explored selling the team following the 2022 season before ultimately backing away from the process in early 2024, citing “unfinished business.”

With long-term payroll commitments now significantly reduced and much of the front office operating on short-term deals, many around baseball believe the franchise is positioned for a potential ownership transition if Moreno ever revisits the idea of selling.

For now, though, Angels fans continue making one thing crystal clear: they want change.