Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will be the second-highest paid player in Major League Baseball this year, despite getting just $2 million from the Dodgers.
According to a recent report from Sportico, Ohtani is set to make over $100 million in 2025 thanks to his myriad endorsements. Ohtani will get $2 million from the Dodgers, and another $100 million from endorsements.
Ohtani has 20 brand partners, per Sportico, and added six this year after winning his first World Series title and third Most Valuable Player award.
“We’re very careful and strategic with the gameplan for Shohei,” Ohtani’s CAA agent Nez Balelo said to Sportico. “It’s important to be aligned with all the brands we work with on how they use Shohei in their campaigns.” Balelo targets brands and categories Shohei uses and says he has been careful not to overexpose Ohtani or overwhelm his commitments on time.”
Ohtani’s $100 million in estimated endorsements earnings is significantly more than any MLB player has ever earned. Only three athletes have ever reached the $100 million threshold: Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, and Steph Curry.
Ohtani is a transcendent talent, and is getting paid like it.
He has established himself among the elite athletes in sports history, and will only continue to do so over the next nine years of his contract with the Dodgers.
Only Juan Soto, who signed an MLB record 15-year, $765 million deal with the New York Mets, is getting paid more among MLB athletes. He’s earning $128.9 million in 2025, with just $7 million coming from endorsements.
