Mike Trout, the Los Angeles Angels' superstar, recently sought an insider perspective on the team's incoming owner, Stan Kroenke. Trout confirmed he reached out to a player from the Los Angeles Rams to inquire about Kroenke, who is purchasing the Angels for an MLB-record $4 billion.
Kroenke is set to take over the Angels franchise next year from Arte Moreno, who had owned the team since 2003. When asked about his conversation, Trout confirmed he spoke with "one Ram player" and that this individual "had some really good things to say" about Kroenke. Trout heard "nothing but good things" from the player, though the specific player was not named.
The unnamed Rams player is currently preoccupied with the team's demanding travel schedule. The Los Angeles Rams are preparing for the longest trip in NFL history, a 16-hour flight covering nearly 8,000 miles to Melbourne, Australia. The team is slated to open their season against the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday, September 11, which will air in prime time on Thursday, September 10, back in the U.S. This marks Australia's first regular-season NFL game. The player will be able to touch base with Trout after returning next Thursday.
Stan Kroenke is a significant figure in the sports world and beyond. The billionaire owner, sometimes referred to as “Silent Stan” for his reluctance to speak with the press, already holds a world-spanning portfolio of sports clubs, including London’s Arsenal Football Club and the Los Angeles Rams. He also holds the title of America’s largest private landowner, according to the 2025 Land Report, possessing 2.7 million acres, an area larger than Yosemite National Park.
The Rams themselves are entering the season as a highly-rated squad. An analysis by Sarah Barshop for ESPN named the Matthew Stafford-led team the top squad ahead of the new NFL season. Head coach Sean McVay, in his tenth season, remains one of the sport's innovative minds. The team recently welcomed back Aaron Donald from retirement, an event that led Commissioner Roger Goodell to grant the Rams a two-game roster exemption for Donald, allowing them to carry 54 active players until Friday, September 11. This week counts as one game even though they are not playing.
While the San Francisco 49ers are reported to be the most popular NFL team in Australia, the Rams rank seventh in popularity there. The Rams have held official Australian marketing rights since 2021. The team's decision to apply the same daring philosophy that led to a successful trial run last year to this record-setting trip indicates a confident approach to the upcoming season.
After the extensive travel and the opening game, the Rams player who spoke with Mike Trout will presumably have more time to discuss the new Angels ownership.
