Former Los Angeles Angels broadcasters Jose Mota (left), Amaury Pi Gonzalez (center), and Manny Mota (right) during a Angels telecast. The author Amaury called the play by play for Angels baseball. (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Arutaro Moreno, owner of the LA Angels, sold the team to Stan Kroenke’s. Huge sports and Entertainment conglomerate for a record $4 billion. Previous record: the San Diego Padres for $3.9 billion. Mr Kroenke also owns the NFL Los Angeles Rams and, now with the LA Angels, is a big player in the Southern California sports world.

Worth mentioning that Moreno is a very smart businessman and billboard tycoon, and he sold just in time before his fellow owner locked the players out in a few months. The sale is pending approval from MLB owners. Arturo (Arte) Moreno wanted to sell the team a few years ago, but changed his mind.

This time, he had no problem with the KSI offer and sold the team, which he had previously renamed the Los Angeles Angels. Los Angeles is the second-largest television and radio broadcasting market in the United States, right behind New York.

The Los Angeles Angels are currently in the cellar of the American League West Division. Mr. Arturo Moreno, who also speaks Spanish, became a billboard salesman in 1973, just years before leaving the U.S. military. When I broadcast Angels TV in Spanish for Fox Sports Net in Los Angeles, he was always gracious enough to drop by our broadcast booth to say hello, usually before each game.

His booth was to our right and, to this day, is named the Jackie Autry (widow of the once owner) luxury box, famous owner and husband Gene Autry, the Singing Cowboy who owned the Angels. Autry bought the expansion team in 1960 before they began playing in 1961, and he sold majority control to The Walt Disney Company during the 1990s, retaining a stake through 1997.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.