Shohei Ohtani’s Net Worth: Dodgers Contract, Endorsements & World Series Triumph.
Shohei Ohtani’s Net Worth: World Series Champion’s Dodgers Deal & Endorsements Shohei Ohtani has officially become a World Series champion. With his impressive endorsement deals and a groundbreaking contract with the Dodgers, what is his estimated worth in 2024?
Ohtani is not only a once-in-a-generation talent but also a remarkable two-way player. He excels as both a pitcher and a hitter in the same game, drawing comparisons to the legendary Babe Ruth, one of baseball’s all-time greats. At 30 years old, Ohtani is at the pinnacle of his career in Major League Baseball (MLB). Since his debut in 2017, teams have been eager to invest heavily to bring him on board. Known as “Shotime,” Ohtani has captivated baseball enthusiasts with his extraordinary s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s on the mound and at the plate, a combination that is quite rare in the sport.
What is Shohei Ohtani’s net worth?
According to Forbes, Shohei Ohtani’s net worth is estimated to be at least $85 million. This figure is expected to rise significantly in the coming years, thanks to his endorsements and his lucrative contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
How did Shohei Ohtani begin his baseball journey?
Born in Iwate, Japan, in 1994 to parents who were both amateur athletes, Ohtani began playing baseball as a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥. He gained recognition as a standout player in high school. At the age of 18, he joined the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in the Nippon Professional Baseball League in 2013, where he quickly made a name for himself as an elite two-way player. In 2017, Ohtani transitioned to MLB, playing for the Los Angeles Angels from 2018 to 2023, earning accolades such as the American League Rookie of the Year in 2018 and the AL Most Valuable Player in both 2021 and 2023. In 2023, he signed a record-setting $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and in his inaugural year, he played a key role in leading the team to victory in the 2024 World Series.
Shohei Ohtani, top, #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is baseball’s $700 million man.
How does Shohei Ohtani earn his income?
Ohtani’s wealth primarily stems from his salary as a player for the Dodgers. In 2023, he inked a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million deal, marking the largest contract in Major League Baseball history. This translates to an average of $70 million per year starting in 2024. Due to the size of the contract, Ohtani will receive an annual cash payment of $2 million, with deferred payments of $68 million beginning in 2035.
It’s not entirely clear if he will receive interest on this deferred compensation. A study by associate professors at North Carolina State University suggested that Ohtani might be missing out on between $49 million and $91 million by choosing to defer his payments. While Ohtani will only receive $2 million in cash from the Dodgers each year for the next decade, he has substantial endorsement deals that have brought him tens of millions over the years.
In 2024, he is expected to earn around $65 million from endorsements, in addition to the $40 to $60 million he made in 2023. If Ohtani secures a World Series title, his endorsement earnings could see a significant boost. He is among the few Japanese players to have won a World Series, and with the potential for more championships during the remaining nine years of his contract with the Dodgers, his marketability could soar.
Shohei Ohtani’s Global Appeal
Shohei Ohtani enjoys immense popularity not just in the U.S. and Japan, but around the world, making him a prime target for companies looking to sponsor him or have him as their brand ambassador. During the 2024 World Series, Japan saw an impressive average viewership of 15 million for the first two games, which is roughly 12% of the country’s population. Some of the brands Ohtani represents include New Balance, a sneaker company, and Seiko, a watch manufacturer. As part of his contract perks, Ohtani has access to a suite at Dodger Stadium for all regular season and postseason games, along with the assistance of an interpreter.
How does Shohei Ohtani spend his money?
Not long after signing a 10-year deal with the Dodgers in late 2023, Ohtani reportedly bought a home in the Los Angeles area for $7.85 million. Ohtani purchased the luxurious mansion in La Cañada Flintridge, California, for $7.85 million. The property, previously owned by comedian Adam Carolla, features amenities such as an indoor-outdoor living room, movie theater, sauna, gym, pool, and basketball court.
Ohtani purchased a 1.1-acre parcel of land in Hawaii for $1.4 million.
He also acquired a 1.1-acre piece of land in Hawaii for $1.4 million. The 1.1-acre oceanfront lot in Hawaii’s Mauna Kea Resort is where he plans to build a 5,000-square-foot home. This estate will offer expansive golf course views and serve as his offseason retreat.
When Dodger pitcher Joe Kelly relinquished his jersey number, 17, to Shohei Ohtani, Ohtani expressed his gratitude by gifting Kelly’s wife a Porsche.
When Dodger pitcher Joe Kelly relinquished Ohtani’s number 17, Ohtani graciously gifted Kelly’s wife a Porsche as a token of appreciation. However, Ohtani has faced some challenges as well. His interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was involved in a scandal where he stole $16 million from Ohtani’s checking account to settle part of his gambling debts.
