Arte Moreno on whether he would sell the Angels ...

[Dollar Bill]

... and Dipoto, Scioscia, 10 years since the name change, one of his favorite all-time stats, and ... David Eckstein:

 

http://www.latimes.com/sports/angels/la-sp-angels-moreno-20140926-story.html

 

[Amazing Larry]

Arte Moreno did not acquire billionaire status by mistake. He is a very smart man and it shows in this interview. We as fans are lucky to have him.

[ukyah]

it's interesting that he was open to the business idea of selling. i like arte as an owner. he wants to win, he pays players and the fan cost is not prohibitive.

[mancini79]

So Arte will entertain offers to sell the team? Need to start a paypal fund here til we finally get the Los Angeles Angelswins. We will have a different lineup every day, make around 43 trades by May, and fire the manager after 3 consecutive losses.

[gurn67]

Arte Moreno did not acquire billionaire status by mistake. He is a very smart man and it shows in this interview. We as fans are lucky to have him.

For those of us who remember Gene's later years when Jackie was running things and trying to preserve as much of her inheritance as possible, we are lucky to have him.

[Second Base]

Not exactly the answer I was looking for. I was hoping to hear him say "Never". I understand it's a business, but I wonder if at some point a billionaire's own mortality hits them and they realize they can't take their wealth into the afterlife and at what point is enough money enough.

If you're looking to make a lasting impression on this world, what echoes through time "Random Billionaire Dies" or "Beloved Angels owner and community member passes".

I just think that if it were me in his shoes, bigger picture I'd never sell the team because you're a part of their history and they'll be around long after you and your money.

[The Ghost of Bob Starr]

So Arte will entertain offers to sell the team? Need to start a paypal fund here til we finally get the Los Angeles Angelswins. We will have a different lineup every day, make around 43 trades by May, and fire the manager after 3 consecutive losses.

 

Spot on, up until the 3 consecutive losses thing.   Manager will be fired after each loss for the LA Angelswins.

[gurn67]

I don't think he would ever sell the team, but business is business and if someone is dumb enough to pay him more than double the estimated value of the club, like what just happened in the Clippers' sale, I don't think any owner would turn that down.

Edited September 26, 2014 by gurn67

[arch stanton]

It would be easy to say he'd never sell but what he actually said aligns more closely with reality. Words don't mean a lot in the face of what's obvious.

[joeywings]

I'm buying the team. I'll move it to Irwindale then change the name to Anaheim Angels.

[joeywings]

Oh, the team will be a lot more if we win the WS this year of course.

[Guest]

I'm buying the team. I'll move it to Irwindale then change the name to Anaheim Angels.

Gotta think bigger than that: the New York Angels. New York is the largest market in the United States and has a lengthy baseball history. It would also give the Angels access to preferential coverage in the East Coast biased media.

[QuinlansMinion]

Move the team to Pasadena and then take LA out of the name.

[Ohtaniland]

If we fail him again this post season and the City of Anaheim continues to hold their ground on the property issue he will sell the team. His bluff to move carried no water. Disney owns Anaheim and Arte knows it.

[Palomar]

He's just being honest.  Not sure how involved his family is in the team.  That could make a huge difference down the line.

[Ohtaniland]

I think he will sell the team. He put it out there. I seriously doubt that he's going to shell out additional $100+M contracts after what he's been through with Pujols and Hamilton. I'm sure that Arte envisioned a championship in 2012 and 2013 with the hefty payroll he committed.

Arte is already on the hook for about $200M to renovate the stadium regardless of the outcome of the land deal. He could get out of it by selling the team. It's business. I don't blame him.

[Stradling]

Maybe the reason he would sell it rather than leave it to his kids is perhaps they aren't passionate about baseball like he is. So he basically would be leaving them a very valuable burden.

[T.G.]

Derek Jeter wants to own a team some day....

[Glen]

Derek Jeter wants to own a team some day....

 

 

[DMVol]

I think he will sell the team. He put it out there. I seriously doubt that he's going to shell out additional $100+M contracts after what he's been through with Pujols and Hamilton. I'm sure that Arte envisioned a championship in 2012 and 2013 with the hefty payroll he committed.

Arte is already on the hook for about $200M to renovate the stadium regardless of the outcome of the land deal. He could get out of it by selling the team. It's business. I don't blame him.

^^^This^^^....He doesn't talk just to hear himself talk, doesn't make a lot of public comments, a la Jerry Jones or other egomaniac owners.....you have to wonder why he would have even brought it up unless he had something in mind....doesn't mean he wants out badly enough to take a bath in a sale but, seemingly, he wants the word out there that he'll listen....

We can only hope that, if he ever does sell, the buyer is another Arte or Gene Autry....I remember Disney and Jackie Autry....

[Brandon]

Or maybe he's simply pragmatic. You guys are looking way too much into this. He was asked a questioned and answered it honestly. He didn't go out of his way to talk about selling the team.

The name change was always a simple business proposition. Anyone against it is ok with a failing business model and was always going to be fighting a losing battle....I still laugh at the thought of three people picketing on the corner of Katella.

[YouthofToday]

I respect the honesty.

I actually really like the idea of bringing Jeter aboard as a minority owner, if that is even in play.

[Angelsjunky]

Yeah, he basically said "I love baseball and the Angels and am not looking to sell, but I would consider the right offer because I'm a businessman."

[Bruce Nye]

If someone pays Arte billions for the team, I predict he buys the near-bankrupt city of Los Angeles and changes the name to Anaheim.

[Amazing Larry]

If someone pays Arte billions for the team, I predict he buys the near-bankrupt city of Los Angeles and changes the name to Anaheim.

 

He would probably buy San Diego in the process and just rename SoCal "San Angeles." 

 

All restaurants would be Taco Bell.