Shohei Ohtani’s stardom has pushed his going rate north of $1 million per marketing deal on average, says Tomoya Suzuki, founder and president of the Japan-focused sports marketing firm Trans Insight Corporation.
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Shohei Ohtani has made baseball history, again.
On Saturday, the 28-year-old two-way superstar and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a one-year, $30 million contract extension, avoiding arbitration in his final year before he hits free agency following the 2023 season. It’s the highest single-season salary ever for an arbitration-eligible player. To this point, Ohtani had earned $12.3 million in career on-field earnings, according to Spotrac.
The new deal puts Ohtani in a position to be one of the highest-paid players in baseball. Although 15 others are slated to earn more on the field next season, his global superstardom has translated into massive success off the field. Forbes estimates that Ohtani earns $20 million annually in endorsements before taxes and agents’ fees, making him the most prolific pitchman in baseball. MLB’s next-highest earner off the field this season was Bryce Harper at $6.5 million, according to Forbes estimates.
With good looks, charisma and an affable demeanor, Ohtani has found success on both sides of the Pacific. He has partnerships with 15 brands, including Asics, Descente and Hugo Boss in Japan and Fanatics, Topps and Panini in the US In the past year, he added deals with FTX, Kowa, Mitsubishi Bank and Salesforce and was the cover athlete of Sony’s MLB The Show 22 video game.
After his contract extension, Ohtani is poised to haul in a total of $50 million in 2023 before taxes and agents’ fees. That figure would have ranked him No. 2 on this year’s list of the highest-paid MLB players. New York Mets ace Max Scherzer led the group with total earnings of $59.3 million while Ohtani’s teammate and Angels megastar Mike Trout came in second at $39 million. Ohtani did not qualify for the 2022 list with total earnings of $25.5 million.
A native of Ōshū in the Iwate Prefecture of northern Japan, Ohtani has shown a rare two-way talent that has drawn comparisons to Babe Ruth since the start of his MLB career in 2018. In 2021 and 2022, he earned All-Star honors as both a batter and a pitcher, and he was the unanimous choice for American League MVP a year ago. More recently, he became the first major leaguer ever to record 10 wins and hit 30 home runs in a season when he achieved the feat in September.
Assuming he does not sign a longer extension with the Angels and has another strong year in 2023, Ohtani will reach free agency as arguably one of the most sought-after, and potentially most expensive, players in baseball history.
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