Even though the Los Angeles Dodgers have a huge amount of money invested in Shohei Ohtani, an insider for the team claims they are making so much money off him in and outside LA that paying off that contract will be no problem for the franchise.
In the offseason before the 2024 MLB season, the Dodgers stunned the baseball world when they gave former Los Angeles Angels two-way star a record-shattering $700 million contract.
It was a massive sum that was added to a payroll that was already among the highest in the league. Furthermore, most of the money is deferred and will have to be paid off in the 2030s.
Well, at least in year one the investment delivered the best possible result on the field as Ohtani won the National League MVP award and led the club to another World Series title in 2024.
What makes it all the more impressive is the team did not get the complete array of talents the Japanese star offers after not pitching or playing the outfield this past season.
After adding more impact pieces this offseason, LA is in a position to be a serious World Series contender for the next five years.
But is the organization banking big bucks to make Ohtani’s contract worth it? A new report suggests that is an emphatic yes.
Shohei Ohtani contract: 10 years, $700 million
Los Angeles Dodgers making shocking sums of money off Shohei Ohtani
During a new edition of the “Foul Territory” podcast, host AJ Pierzynski claimed he heard the Los Angeles Dodgers banked anywhere from $100 to $200 million in extra revenue last season due to the immense popularity of Ohtani.
His guest, ESPN Dodgers reporter Alden Gonzalez confirmed those rumors and added some extra details to the financial windfall the Japanese superstar has been for the club.
Los Angeles Dodgers payroll (2025): $321 million
“He blew away every single financial projection they could have ever fathom,” Gonzalez said. “Him going from the Angels to the Dodgers made such a huge difference. Their footprint in Japan is so much bigger than they ever imagined. Tourism in general to Los Angeles has changed dramatically because of Shohei Ohtani.”
Ohtani bringing a boost to LA tourism as many fans in Japan making the pilgrimage to see their favorite player performer is an impressive show of how popular the NL MVP is right now.
