In the 2023-24 MLB season, the arrival of Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani was not just a simple transaction: it was the beginning of a new era for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The news of his signing, for a historic figure, shook the baseball world and captured the attention of both fans and experts. From day one, he was demanded and to this day has not disappointed the trust and investment that the Dodgers placed in him.
His talent and charisma were felt both on and off the diamond, and thanks to his presence, the Dodgers not only multiplied their income, but also took the opportunity to strengthen their roster with the best players the market could offer. The gamble was a big one, but the results were not long in coming for the Los Angeles team.
Shohei Ohtani and a historic contract for the Dodgers
The stunning 10-year, $700 million contract for then-29-year-old Shohei Ohtani had some fans wondering if the Dodgers could continue to sign more stars to support on the field what was the American League Most Valuable Player.
However, the Japanese player, aware of the large amount of money in his deal, proposed to defer his salary payments into the future, earning just $2 million per season of the $70 million he has under contract, with the remaining $68 million not being paid until 2034,
A decision that was easy for Ohtani as money has not been an issue as he earns a lot of money off the diamond with his image for various advertising campaigns. Some of the big additions were:
- In the 2024-25 season, they signed Blake Snell, Tanner Scott, Roki Sasaki and brought back Teoscar Hernandez.
- In the 2025-26 season, they acquired superstar closer Edwin Diaz and the player considered to be the best hitter available in free agency, Kyle Tucker.
Thanks to this agreement between the Dodgers and their star player, the team has been able to maintain a great cash flow, be competitive and win a MLB championship.
Shohei Ohtani the million-dollar charm for the Los Angeles Dodgers
The name Shohei Ohtani alone attracts hundreds of millions of dollars for the Dodgers. A study by Sportico estimated that Los Angeles generated $200 million more in revenue after the addition of Ohtani to the team, becoming the first baseball organization to surpass $1 billion in revenue.
In another report now from California Post, the Dodgers’ sponsorship business is believed to generate as much money as about half of the other 30 teams in the league overall, creating a huge economic gap, largely due to the excellent signing of Shohei Ohtani
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