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In a groundbreaking move that has sent shockwaves through the sports world, Shohei Ohtani, the phenomenal baseball player hailing from Japan, has officially signed a ten-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers valued at an astounding $700 million. This remarkable agreement is widely regarded as the most substantial individual sports contract globally, setting a new benchmark in professional athletics.
This monumental deal significantly eclipses existing record contracts across various sports, including baseball, soccer, and golf. It highlights the trend of extravagant spending by wealthy team owners, particularly the Guggenheim-led consortium overseeing the Dodgers. As live sports continue to thrive as a lucrative investment avenue, this contract exemplifies the soaring financial stakes involved in enhancing team performance and driving television ratings.
Ohtani’s contract dwarfs previous records within Major League Baseball, an outlier among US sports due to its absence of a hard salary cap for individual players. Notably, this surpasses the nine-year, $360 million contract of Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees, which commenced this season, as well as the twelve-year, $427 million extension awarded to Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels in 2019.
Furthermore, this deal eclipses record figures in global soccer, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s two-year contract with Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr FC, estimated at around $200 million annually. Similarly, John Rahm, the reigning Masters golf champion, recently agreed to join Saudi Arabia’s LIV Golf tour for a sum reportedly exceeding $300 million.
Expressing his commitment, Ohtani, 29, stated on his Instagram account, “To all Dodgers fans, I pledge to always do what’s best for the team and always continue to give it my all to be the best version of myself.” He also extended his gratitude to the Los Angeles Angels fans, the team he represented for the past six years, highlighting his respect and appreciation for their support.
Nez Balelo, Ohtani’s agent, emphasized that “he structured his contract to reflect a true commitment from both sides to long-term success,” underlining the mutual dedication to achieving extraordinary results.
Born in Oshu, Japan, Ohtani is widely regarded as a once-in-a-century talent in the realm of baseball. Throughout his career, he has been honored with the MLB Most Valuable Player award on two occasions. During the 2023 season alone, he led all American League batters with an impressive 44 home runs while maintaining a remarkable earned run average of just 3.14, a key statistic indicating the average number of runs scored by opposing batters per nine innings pitched.
This summer, Ohtani made history by becoming the first MLB player in six decades to achieve the remarkable feat of hitting two home runs while simultaneously striking out ten batters from the pitching mound in the same game, showcasing his unparalleled versatility and skill.
Phil Nevin, the Angels’ manager, remarked, “We are seeing things every day [from Ohtani] that we’ve never seen before,” emphasizing the player’s extraordinary contributions to the game and the excitement he generates among fans and teammates alike.
The Dodgers, who have been under the ownership of a consortium including Chelsea FC owner Todd Boehly since 2012, last celebrated a World Series victory in 2020. With roots tracing back to 1883 in Brooklyn, the franchise made its historic move to Los Angeles in 1958, where it has since become a cornerstone of the city’s sports culture.
