Moreno owner: ‘Owning a franchise for 20 seasons is a huge honor’
The Angels, to which Shohei Ohtani belongs, announced on the 23rd (24th Japan time) that they are considering selling the team. “It has been a great honor and privilege to own the Angels franchise for 20 seasons,” said Art Moreno, owner of the franchise. “The family has come to the conclusion that now is the time,” he said in a statement.
The club has begun a process to review strategic options, including a potential sale of the club. Appointed “Garacito Sports Partners” as a financial advisor. He will refrain from commenting during this time. If the owner changes, there is a possibility that it will have a big impact on Otani’s career as a FA in 2023.
The Mexican-American owner, Moreno, was acquired by Walt Disney Co. for $184 million during the 2003 season, according to the Orange County Register. Economic magazine Forbes estimates that it is currently worth more than $2 billion (approximately ¥273.5 billion).
In the 2003 off-season when Moreno took office, he made large-scale reinforcements with Vladimir Guerrero and Bartolo Colon, and in 2004 won the district championship for the first time in 18 years. After that, the team won district championships in 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2014, but failed to reach the World Series. 2014 was the last time they advanced to the playoffs, and this season with Mike Trout and Otani, they are 4th in the district, losing big with 52 wins and 70 losses.
(Full-Count editorial department)
