Why Did Disney Sell The Angels? The Story Behind The Sale

Disney wanted the Angels to be a success, but they faced some challenges. The team had winning seasons in 1997, 1998, and 2000. However, by 2002, the Angels’ attendance dropped by almost 4,000 fans per game. This made it difficult for the team to break even financially.

One factor contributing to this was the changing landscape of baseball in the early 2000s. While the Angels had some success on the field, the team struggled to attract fans to the ballpark. Several reasons could have contributed to this. First, the Angels competed in a tough division, the AL West, which included strong teams like the Oakland Athletics and the Texas Rangers. This meant that the Angels often had to fight for playoff spots and might not have been as exciting to watch for casual fans. Second, the Angels played in Anaheim, which is not as large of a market as Los Angeles. This could have made it harder to attract a dedicated fan base, especially compared to teams playing in larger metropolitan areas. Finally, the Angels were a relatively young team, still finding their identity after moving from California to Anaheim in 1965. They were still trying to establish a connection with fans and build a strong brand.

By 2002, Disney realized that they needed to make some tough decisions. The Angels, though beloved by some, weren’t consistently drawing large crowds. This ultimately led Disney to decide to sell the team to a group of investors led by Arte Moreno.