Bold opening: The Angels’ TV saga is shaping everything from payroll to on-field dreams, and the clock is ticking toward Opening Day. And this is the part most people miss: the network chaos behind the scenes is the real bottleneck that could determine the team’s fortunes this season.
TEMPE, Ariz. — On the eve of the Angels’ first spring training game, the club remains in limbo about how and where fans will be able to watch the team when the regular season begins a little over a month away.
The lingering uncertainty is a major reason why Arte Moreno says the club’s payroll has taken a substantial hit from last year.
“We will be on television,” Moreno asserted. “But make no mistake, it hasn’t been easy.”
A year after Moreno projected a roughly $50 million loss for 2025, the Angels’ 2026 payroll sits at least $50 million lower than the previous season.
The broader shift away from traditional cable TV—driven by cord-cutting—has left networks unable to pay teams the rights fees they once negotiated. Moreno noted the financial pain: “We took a revenue cut moving from Fox to Main Street, and it’s going to come down again.” He added that several teams have already taken their rights to MLB or elsewhere, and while he hasn’t ruled out following suit, he’s not committing either way just yet. “We’re still working on it, and we’ll know in the next five to seven days.”
Main Street Sports Group, the umbrella company for FanDuel Sports, is navigating bankruptcy proceedings. Other teams with whom Main Street had deals have largely handed their rights to MLB, which now collects subscription fees from fans and distributes them to teams—along with ad revenue—but that stream isn’t equivalent to straight rights fees.
An option some are watching is for the Angels to launch their own TV network. That avenue, however, is complex, especially since the Kings are tied into the Angels’ Main Street partnership.
For now, the Angels have not pursued a temporary agreement that would have allowed some spring games to air, though Moreno left a glimmer of possibility open. What’s definite is that regular-season games will stream on MLB.tv, while the traditional linear outlets fans used in the past are expected to remain in place, with the uncertainty centering on who produces the broadcast and the revenue it generates.
Moreno’s TV concerns topped the list during his annual sit-down with Angels beat writers.
On whether the team might be available for sale, he reiterated: “Let’s put it this way, I’m not shopping the team.” He did note that interest in baseball teams is running high as other franchises change hands, with the Padres and Minnesota Twins currently up for sale.
Moreno, now 79, has owned the Angels since 2003. He initially announced a sale in 2022 but changed course in early 2023 and has stayed firm since. He concedes that his age invites questions about the team’s future when he’s not at the helm.
“I love being an owner,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed it. It’s just, you get to a certain age… I’ve got a big birthday this year. I can’t believe I’ve made it.”
In recent years, Moreno has faced criticism as the team has failed to make the playoffs since 2014 or post a winning season since 2015.
With the TV situation unsettled and the finances tightened, Moreno has trimmed the payroll and signaled a path back toward stronger profitability. He suggested a full return to a $200 million payroll is realistic but contingent on stabilizing the TV deal and rebuilding the Angels’ brand.
On the field, he stressed a philosophy of development over splashy free-agent splurges: building from within, rather than chasing a handful of big-name signings, is the more sustainable route to improvement.
“The big question is whether one or two players can truly move the needle,” he mused. “If you spend $15–$20 million a year on three, or five players, that alone doesn’t guarantee results.”
Moreno also touched on the Tyler Skaggs wrongful-death civil case, noting that the Angels settled with the family for an undisclosed amount. He said the settlement has no impact on the team’s finances going forward, describing the two matters as largely separate, unfortunate though intertwined by history.
The club has also been upgrading Angel Stadium, investing about $5 million this winter in improvements such as seating in the Diamond Club, structural work, painting, and parking-lot renovations. Moreno stressed that the team has invested well beyond what the lease would require.
Fan experience remains a priority. Moreno highlighted affordability as the top concern for fans, followed by safety and a quality ballpark visit. He cited surveys showing that moms—who make many of the family’s entertainment decisions—place affordability at the forefront, with a desire to bring kids to games while maintaining a safe, enjoyable environment. The purists, by contrast, may value on-field success most highly.
When asked to name his top priority, Moreno returned to the perennial goal: winning. “I’ve always wanted to win. The cost of winning is the question right now.”
As the conversation shifted to a familiar face, Moreno pointed to Mike Trout as a critical catalyst for changing the team’s fortunes. “If we can keep him healthy, he changes the games, the audience, and everything that follows.”
Notes on the current lineup and spring action:
- The Angels are nearly at full strength for their first exhibition against the Dodgers, starting with Logan O’Hoppe behind the plate, Nolan Schanuel at first, Christian Moore at second, Zach Neto at short, Yoán Moncada at third, Josh Lowe in left, Bryce Teodosio in center, Jo Adell in right, and Jorge Soler as the designated hitter. Jose Soriano is slated to pitch. Neto is lining up to lead off, though that could shift during the season.
- Mike Trout is set to play center field in Sunday’s game against the Diamondbacks, then serve as DH on Tuesday.
- Right-hander bullpen work from Ben Joyce and Robert Stephenson included their secondary pitches as they recover from injuries, placing them a bit behind the others.
- Right-hander Caden Dana remains under the weather after a return to the clubhouse earlier in camp; it remains unclear whether he’ll be available for Opening Day. Dana entered camp as a candidate for the roster but is more likely headed for Triple-A.
Would you agree that stabilizing the Angels’ TV situation is the linchpin for returning to a competitive payroll and a winning team, or should the focus shift more aggressively to on-field development and scouting to drive success regardless of broadcast arrangements? Share your thoughts in the comments.
