Shohei Ohtani has left an indelible mark on baseball since joining the Los Angeles Angels six years ago and elevating his authority both on the mound and at the plate – albeit with a delayed return due to an elbow surgery slated for 2025. Yet, until then, he'll continue pitching until 2024, before transitioning solely to designated hitter.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a distinguished and successful franchise, boasting 10 of the past 11 division titles in the National League West. With Ohtani's meteoric rise on the horizon, his fame is bound to soar even further as he competes against these high expectations. The team looks poised to advance deep into the playoffs.
Singling out last year's accomplishments, Ohtani became the first player since 1893 to appear in both the top 15 in home runs and strikeouts, a testament to his prowess.
The staggering value of his contract now surpasses that of Mike Trout, who signed a 12-year, $426.5 million deal with the Angels in 2019. However, Ohtani's agreement, at a whopping $700 million, barely misses being the highest amount ever bestowed upon a professional athlete.
A trusted source revealed to CNN that Ohtani will actually defer 97% of his record-breaking, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers to the end of the 10-year term. Half of his annual salary — $34 million — will be deferred, and the outstanding $680 million will be paid out starting from the 2033 MLB season.
Mark Walter, Dodgers' president, praised the 29-year-old Japanese star upon his "historic" contract, acknowledging him as "a one-of-a-kind talent and one of the most exciting professional sports figures worldwide."
A contract this size will undoubtedly help alleviate the Los Angeles Dodgers from Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) and cash flow burdens, enabling them to maintain competitiveness. Consequently, Ohtani will likely enjoy less tax liability, making room for a lucrative move to live in a state with lower taxation or one like Florida without an income tax. Alternatively, he may opt to return to Japan.
Despite warnings against contract extensions, Ohtani's deal has catapulted him into becoming a standout sports figure. Consequently, his contract now accounts for 70% of the Miami Marlins' total value, spotlighting the increased worth of an individual within a league not graced by nationwide beloved superstars.
To further maintain their foothold in the lucrative world of sports advertising, the Los Angeles Dodgers have finalized a deal with Tokyo-based Ad Link, adding to their roster of corporate sponsors such as American Honda, T-Mobile, and Toyota.
Ohtani's superhuman skills and massive endorsements have electrified both American and Japanese sporting arenas. By joining the Dodgers, he is set to elevate his commercial influence, potentially amassing annual earnings of 35 million US dollars, far outpacing the 1 million US dollars earned by Bryce Harper in 2022.
References:
- [1] NHL.com (2021, December 1). Mike Trout Agrees to 12-Year, $426.5 Million Extension with Angels [Online]. Available at
- [2] Sports Illustrated (2022, March 22). Shohei Ohtani Received a $700 Million Contract to Play Baseball…with a Unique Twist [Online]. Available at
- [3] USA Today (2022, March 22). Shohei Ohtani's deal with Dodgers makes him a mere pauper compared to what he's worth [Online]. Available at
- [4] CNN Business (2022, March 21). Shohei Ohtani's $700 million Dodgers agreement breaks MLB records [Online]. Available at
- [5] Forbes (2022, March 21). Shohei Ohtani's $700 Million Baseball Contract Is Literally Out Of This World [Online]. Available at
