Arturo “Arte” Moreno is an accomplished American businessman born on August 14, 1946. He made history on May 15, 2003, when he acquired the Anaheim Angels baseball team from the Walt Disney Company, becoming the first Mexican-American to own a major sports team in the United States.

Moreno’s tenure as owner of the Angels has been marked by numerous successes, including the team’s first-ever World Series championship in 2002. He has also overseen the construction of several improvements to the team’s home stadium, including a new video scoreboard, expanded seating, and other amenities.

In August 2022, Moreno announced that he was considering selling the Angels franchise, sparking speculation about the team’s future ownership. However, in January 2023, he ultimately decided not to sell the team, indicating his continued commitment to the Angels and his belief in their potential for future success.

Overall, Arte Moreno’s contributions to the world of sports and business have been significant, and his leadership of the Angels has left an indelible mark on the team and its fans.

Arturo “Arte” Moreno is an American businessman who made history on May 15, 2003, by becoming the first Mexican-American to own a major sports team in the United States. Moreno is best known for his ownership of the Anaheim Angels baseball team, which he purchased from the Walt Disney Company for a reported $184 million. In the years since he has become one of the most influential figures in the world of sports and business.

Arturo “Arte” Moreno: The First Mexican-American Owner of a Major Sports Team in the United States

Early Life and Education

Arturo Moreno was born on August 14, 1946, in Tucson, Arizona. He was the youngest of 11 children born to Mexican immigrant parents. His parents worked as farm laborers and his father also worked as a bus driver. Moreno grew up in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood and attended Tucson High School. After graduating in 1965, he went on to attend the University of Arizona.

Moreno initially planned to pursue a degree in electrical engineering, but he eventually changed his major to marketing. He graduated from the University of Arizona in 1968 with a degree in marketing.

Career

After graduating from college, Moreno worked as a sales representative for PepsiCo. He later worked for a number of other companies, including Eller Outdoor Advertising, which he eventually purchased and renamed Outdoor Systems.

Under Moreno’s leadership, Outdoor Systems grew to become one of the largest outdoor advertising companies in the United States. The company went public in 1996 and was later acquired by Infinity Broadcasting in 1999 for $8.3 billion.

In 2002, Moreno became a limited partner in the Arizona Diamondbacks baseball team. The following year, he made headlines when he purchased the Anaheim Angels from the Walt Disney Company.

Anaheim Angels Ownership

Moreno’s purchase of the Anaheim Angels was historic for several reasons. Not only was he the first Mexican-American to own a major sports team in the United States, but he was also the first owner in the team’s history to come from outside of Southern California.

Under Moreno’s ownership, the Angels experienced a period of great success on the field. In 2004, the team won the American League West Division and went on to win the World Series, defeating the San Francisco Giants in seven games. It was the first World Series championship in the team’s history.

The team’s success continued in the years that followed. In 2005, the Angels won the American League West Division again and advanced to the American League Championship Series, where they lost to the eventual World Series champions, the Chicago White Sox. In 2007, the team won the American League West Division for the third time in four years, but they were swept by the Boston Red Sox in the American League Division Series.

In addition to his success on the field, Moreno has also been recognized for his contributions to the community. Under his ownership, the Angels have become involved in a number of charitable initiatives, including the Angels Baseball Foundation, which supports education, healthcare, and youth baseball programs in Southern California.

In 2019, Moreno made headlines when he announced that the team would be changing its name from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to the Los Angeles Angels. The move was widely seen as an attempt to capitalize on the team’s location in the second-largest media market in the United States.

Other Business Ventures

In addition to his ownership of the Anaheim Angels, Moreno has been involved in a number of other business ventures over the years. In 2008, he purchased the Salt Lake Bees, a minor league baseball team that serves as the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels. He also owns several car dealerships in Arizona and New Mexico.

In 2013, Moreno made headlines again when he purchased the Spanish-language radio station KWKW-AM, which serves the Los Angeles area. The move was

seen as a strategic one, given the large Hispanic population in Southern California and Moreno’s own Mexican-American heritage.

Personal Life

Moreno is known for being a private individual and has not been known to grant many interviews. He has been married to his wife Carole for over 40 years and the couple has three children.

In addition to his business ventures, Moreno is known for his philanthropic work. He has donated millions of dollars to various charitable organizations over the years, including the United Way and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Moreno is also a fan of the arts and has been known to collect works by Mexican artists. He is a member of the board of trustees for the Phoenix Art Museum and has made significant contributions to the museum’s collection.

Controversies

Despite his success in the business world, Moreno has not been without controversy. In 2007, he was criticized for his decision to change the team’s name from the Anaheim Angels to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The move was seen as a marketing ploy to capitalize on the team’s location in the larger media market of Los Angeles, and many fans felt that the name change was disrespectful to the team’s history and roots in Anaheim.

Moreno has also been criticized for his management of the team. In recent years, the Angels have struggled to make the playoffs and have failed to advance past the first round when they have made it. Moreno has been criticized for his unwillingness to spend money on high-priced free agents, which some fans feel has hindered the team’s ability to compete with other top teams in the league.

Despite these controversies, Moreno remains one of the most influential figures in the world of sports and business. His ownership of the Anaheim Angels has brought unprecedented success to the team and has made him a trailblazer for other Mexican-Americans looking to break into the world of sports ownership. His philanthropic work has also had a significant impact on the community, and he continues to be a prominent figure in the world of art and culture.