Angels Fans Rally to Demand Team Sale

Chants of “Sell the team” rang out across Angel Stadium this week as dissatisfaction with the Angels’ performance continues to grow. On Saturday, a group of fans gathered to protest owner Arte Moreno ahead of the game against the Rangers, urging him to sell the franchise.

About an hour and a half before the game started, around 100 fans made their way towards the stadium, stopping at the main entrance on Gene Autry Way. As they arrived, more supporters joined in, showing a united front.

The protest initiative started when lifelong Angels fan Johnny Gonzalez posted a “Boycott the Angels” flyer on social media earlier this month. He said the main aim was to encourage fans to express their feelings about Moreno and push for a sale.

Gonzalez’s graphic quickly went viral, accumulating over 800,000 views and 22,000 likes. He mentioned that he was contacted by about 500 people eager to participate in the protest.

While he expected a strong turnout, he acknowledged that the initial estimates he received were somewhat off. “This is the first time something like this has happened in Angels history,” he remarked. “We’ve hit a tipping point, and it’s fantastic to see fans showing up for one another.” Gonzalez emphasized that the goal remains focused on either pushing for a sale or motivating the team to invest more in its future.

Earlier protests throughout the week saw fans removing their shirts and waving them, primarily shouting “Sell the team.” However, during Thursday’s game, chants shifted briefly to “Arte!” The largest protest occurred on Friday night, with sections of the stadium overwhelmed by voices demanding change.

When Moreno acquired the Angels for $183.5 million in 2003, the team had just claimed its first World Series title and reached the playoffs multiple times. In contrast, during his tenure, the Angels have struggled significantly, failing to reach the playoffs for the last 11 years and not posting a winning record since 2015.

Season ticket holder Joseph Sterling expressed disappointment, stating that Moreno inherited a winning team and a strong farm system when he took over. “They did care about scouting and building for the future,” he mentioned.

The organization’s recent challenges extend beyond on-field performance. On December 9, 2025, the Angels reached a settlement with the family of former pitcher Tyler Skaggs, who tragically died after consuming fentanyl-laced pills given to him by a former staff member.

Entering Saturday night, the Angels were struggling with the league’s worst record at 18-34. Despite the lackluster season, fan attendance remains relatively strong, ranking eighth in Major League Baseball with an average of 34,659 spectators. The team has consistently performed well in attendance metrics over the past few years, even reaching the top five between 2015 and 2019.

Christine Gallagher, a dedicated fan since 1990 who attends games with her husband, who has been a fan since 1967, voiced her distress over the current management. “He doesn’t seem to care about the fans or the team; it’s all about the money and his status as an owner,” she stated. “It’s disheartening to see such a shift in priorities.”