Shohei Ohtani has already contributed a lot to the baseball world, but did you know he’s contributing to the economy as well? That too is a huge amount. Ohtani, the modern-day superhero of the diamond, pulled off the unimaginable. Imagine a player not just hitting dingers but also zooming around the bases like a whirlwind—he achieved 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season!

Last summer, the Los Angeles Dodgers sent shockwaves through the baseball world by signing Shohei Ohtani to a jaw-dropping 10-year, $700 million contract. This monumental deal shattered previous records, outpacing even the most optimistic projections by a staggering $200 million. Fans and analysts alike were left buzzing, wondering: Will he be worth it? Fast forward to the season, and it’s clear that the answer is a resounding yes! 

Shohei Ohtani: The two-country phenom 

This year, Shohei Ohtani has not just captivated baseball fans; he’s also made a significant economic splash in both the U.S. and Japan. generating an estimated ¥87 billion yen (about $594 million)! This staggering figure, calculated by emeritus professor Katsuhiro Miyamoto at Kansai University as per Yahoo, showcases just how much Ohtani’s electrifying presence on the field resonates beyond the diamond. To put it in perspective, Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour had a remarkable impact of around $230 million over just four days in Japan. No need to be sad, Swifties; both stars shine brightly in their respective realms. 

See, it’s not all happy happy. The Japanese pitcher and hitter’s meteoric rise has certainly brought a ton of publicity, benefiting many companies associated with him, eager to capitalize on his star power. However, not everyone has hit a home run. Some companies have found themselves struggling with big advertising costs that have squeezed their profit margins. This situation creates a unique landscape for stock-pickers in the Japanese market, which has been experiencing significant fluctuations in the yen. As investors sift through the ups and downs, there are opportunities to find hidden gems among the companies tied to Shohei Ohtani. 

Major sources contributing to the Shotime economy 

Just a year into his historic contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the two-way superstar has already made waves beyond the diamond. A recent study estimates his arrival in Los Angeles has generated a staggering economic impact of $494 million! But how have the Dodgers capitalized on this prized asset? Let’s break it down. This regular season, the Dodgers saw an incredible 3,940,000 fans attend their home games. For perspective, that’s just about half a million fewer tickets sold than the entire Taylor Swift Eras Tour in 2024! 

Shotime is the ideal illustration of how clubs may increase their revenue streams through merchandise sales. He led the league in jersey sales for the second straight season, which enabled the Dodgers to take home an incredible 20% of all MLB retail sales—the highest percentage in the league! The Dodgers have a big edge when it comes to selling jerseys through their own retail locations, such as the stadium store, even if they do have to split some revenues with the league. An increase in Japanese sponsorships has also emerged as one of the Dodgers’ next main revenue streams. 

Do you recall the time when Japanese advertisements dominated Yankee Stadium during the Hideki Matsui era? The Dodgers are on a roll right now, enjoying a boom of their own! They brought on 12 new Japanese sponsors only this season, including well-known brands like Yakult, Toyota Tires, and All Nippon Airways. Japanese businesses are so keen to promote their names in front of Dodgers fans that they have even agreed to buy TV commercials during the team’s away games as well as ad space in other states. Shohei Ohtani is leading the Dodgers to both on-field success and great off-field success!