$700 Million Man: Shohei Ohtani

Sporting News crunches the numbers on the historic contract between Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers, in article, Biggest contracts in sports history: How Shohei Ohtani's new deal obliterates record for MLB, other stars, posted Saturday December 9th, 2023, by Kyle Irving. Edward Sutelan is credited within Irving's article for further information on the ground breaking contract in his article Details to know about Shohei Ohtani's $700 million contract posted on the same day.

    Shohei Ohtani makes sports history with latest contract with the Dodgers, surpassing other athletic divisions, and obliterating MLB records. Kyle Irving reports on Ohtani's deal with the Dodgers, where the 29-year-old athlete signed a contract of $700 million over 10 years. Ohtani, an incredible athlete, completed an impressive rookie year with 22 homeruns, even with an elbow injury after 10 starts. Returning in 2021, Ohtani "emerged as the sport's true biggest stars...

finishing only behind a 62-home run season by Aaron Judge in MVP voting," for the 2022 season. Labelled as "
the biggest contracts in MLB and North American sports history," Ohtani's contract is compared to other monstrous contracts in sports history, including Chiefs' quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. Ohtani's $700 million over 10 years obliterates any other MLB contract, including "

his former teammate Mike Trout's 12-year, $426.5 million contract" with the Angels. Among MLB legends like Trout, Judge, Verlander, and Scherzer Ohtani's contract is a solid $270 million above the list, and $335 million above any other Dodgers contracts. Regarding the chart of annual values, Ohtani is once again at the top, $33 million above the rest of the list, and second most in contract length. This marks Ohtani as the largest financial

commitment that the Dodgers, or any other MLB team has made on a player. Among the "biggest contracts in North American sports history," Ohtani is, once again, a leading figure. Patrick Mahomes, 2-time Superbowl winning quarterback for Chiefs made history for his $503 million contract in 2020, only for that 3-year record to be demolished by Ohtani's $700 million. Ohtani will earn about $20 million more than Mahomes each year, earning a solid second place in North American annual athlete salaries. Below Canelo Alvarez, Ohtani's contract is just $3million short in the standings of annual income. Alvarez holds his position with a respective 5-year contract of $365 million with DAZN sports streaming service. However, Ohtani does overtake Damian Lillard as "the highest [average annual value] among team sport athletes." 

    This is a truly incredible accomplishment for Ohtani, forever marking him in the history of sports within just 5-yeras of his MLB debut. This contract between Ohtani and the Dodgers recognizes the talent and potential of Ohtani as a Baseball player, through the monstrous $700 million, but also the commitment of 10-years. Ohtani's performance, age, and accomplishment is impressive, and well deserved. As he has battled through injuries and surgeries such as "Tommy John surgery," and a second elbow surgery, keeping him off the mound for the 2024 season, Ohtani clearly has extensive talent and marketability to receive such an unprecedented contract from the Dodgers. As a softball player myself, I have always been interested in MLB, and have followed Ohtani's career since the beginning. With incredible skills, sportsmanship, and incredible versatility on the field, Ohtani is a household favourite, deserving of this achievement. At 29 years old, Ohtani will end his contract at 39; 9 years over the average MLB retirement age, and 11 years over the average career length from rookie season. Ohtani is clearly valued at an unmatched level and will be compensated for his talent in the MLB. However, $700 million is an insane amount of money, and I personally do not understand why athletes and performers revenue has inflated to such a high standard. Yet, Ohtani's skillsets have proven to be incredibly valuable to the MLB, and he deserves the attention from the Dodgers and the rest of the world.