In the World Baseball Classic Finals in March 2023, Japan clinched victory against the United States with a game-winning strikeout, marking their championship triumph after a 14-year wait.
Adding to the excitement, Shohei Ohtani, the pitcher behind this historic moment, recently inked a jaw-dropping contract extension with the Dodgers – a colossal 10-year, $700 million deal, rewriting the annals of baseball history. This landmark deal not only eclipses contracts in baseball but stands unparalleled in the wider realm of sports. To put it into perspective, LeBron James’ accumulated contracts over his 20-year NBA career amount to a mere $482 million. The Dodgers’ deal with Shohei Ohtani not only outshines records in baseball but also dwarfs those in football, soccer, rugby, golf, and various other sports.
Shohei Ohtani, often dubbed as the ‘manga-inspired prodigy,’ drew considerable scouting attention back in high school, thanks to his visibly extraordinary talents. What makes him a standout is his distinctive skill set, embodying the rare blend of both pitching and hitting, a phenomenon in modern baseball known as the ‘two-way player.’ In an era where professional baseball places a premium on specialization, players with dual capabilities, exemplified by Ohtani, are truly a rarity and hold immense value.
When Ohtani made the decision to make his mark in North American baseball, it triggered intense competition among teams. They zealously presented proposals, highlighting their resources and key selling points to secure his extraordinary talents. Notably, the New York Yankees were at the forefront of this pursuit, displaying an enthusiasm that even overshadowed the presence of Donald Trump, becoming a sideshow compared to the spotlight on Shohei Ohtani.
At the age of 29, Shohei Ohtani stands as the only player in baseball history to win over 10 games as a pitcher and hit over 30 home runs as a batter in the same season. Starting his professional career in the Japanese professional baseball league in 2013, Ohtani transitioned to Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States in 2018, playing for the Los Angeles Angels. Within five years, he achieved the honors of Rookie of the Year and two MVP titles. In November, the MLB announced the 2023 season MVP, and Ohtani once again secured the prestigious award. With this, he not only became the first Asian player to win the American League MVP twice (his second time in the last three years), but he also stands as the first player in history to win the unanimous MVP vote twice.
In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Shohei Ohtani’s commercial value is substantial. With a remarkable influence on social media, Ohtani has amassed over 6.9 million followers, making him the most followed MLB player with a relatively low posting frequency.
Moreover, serving as a longstanding national sport and offering a unique perspective for Japanese fans to measure themselves against American baseball, baseball has deep historical roots in Japan. During his six seasons with the Los Angeles Angels, more than 20 Japanese brands secured advertising space at the team’s home games, with broadcasting contracts reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. The potential for growth in ticket sales and merchandise is also promising in Japan, with its population of nearly 125 million, offering a substantial market for Dodgers jersey sales.
According to estimates by Japanese economists, Ohtani’s economic impact exceeded $300 million in 2022, encompassing expenses from Japanese visitors traveling to the United States to watch his games.
Since 2017, Shohei Ohtani has evolved into an incredibly marketable superstar. Handsome and charismatic, he enjoys brand favoritism both in Japan and the United States. Collaborating with 13 brands, including North American sports e-commerce giant Fanatics, Japanese pharmaceutical company Kowa, precision watch brand Seiko, and fashion label Boss, Ohtani has solidified his status as a sought-after figure in the marketing realm.
In January 2023, he signed a long-term contract with sportswear brand New Balance, with the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Chris Davis, dubbing Shohei Ohtani a ‘once-in-a-century athlete.’ It is estimated that Ohtani can earn at least $35 million annually off the field, roughly equivalent to ¥250 million RMB. In comparison, other top baseball athletes might need their entire careers to accumulate such earnings from endorsements and other commercial activities.
Anyway, for the Dodgers, signing Shohei Ohtani is undoubtedly a great investment. For fans, whether loyal supporters in Japan or those across the United States, Shohei Ohtani joining the Dodgers is a moment to look forward to. Let’s anticipate how he adapts to the new team and showcases his dual talents in future games.
