The Los Angeles Dodgers finalized the biggest deal to ever exist in the history of U.S. sports this week. They clinched the hottest free agency prospect, Shohei Ohtani, with a record-breaking deal of $700 million for a ten-year term. It’s just a small price to pay for getting the world’s best baseball player. However, the two-way miracle seems pretty happy about his club of choice—and so are they! Given the plethora of benefits both parties will be receiving, the celebration surrounding the deal makes complete sense. What are the Boys in Blue and Ohtani bringing to each other’s table?
According to a tweet shared by MLB enthusiast Joe Pompliano, Shohei Ohtani has successfully signed one of the unique contracts to ever exist. The ace has settled on receiving $2 million a year from the team for the term of his tenure. Interestingly, that’s not the only surprising thing about the offer.
Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani deal—a contract like no other?
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Ohtani will be receiving the rest of the $680 million after he reaches the age of 40! This not only secures his stay on the team but also shows how Shotime isn’t interested in seeking instant gratification. Unlike most other deferred paychecks, Ohtani will not be receiving any interest on the remaining amount. This is an intriguing factor to keep in mind, considering the abundance of idiosyncrasies that his stay will entail.
Shohei Ohtani's $700 million deal is one of the most unique contracts in sports history.
He'll earn $2 million annually over the next ten years and then $680 million in payments starting at age 40.
But the details indicate it goes much deeper than Ohtani just being a good… pic.twitter.com/WQbRKYKot5
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) December 12, 2023
Shohei Ohtani will be able to play for both pitching and hitting from 2025 onward, as his ace form will be on a break next year following his recent Tommy John surgery. That means the Dodgers are all set for a starting hitter or a pitcher for almost the next decade. It also denotes the obscene influx of revenue they will be receiving for the longest time.
Including Shohei Ohtani on their payroll ensures that their ticket prices will see a massive surge in the coming season. Their seats that used to cost $474 on the opening days will come for a price tag of $811, securing a 74% increase in sales. The home game tickets that were available for $327 will sell for $482—again, a huge leap of 47%. And it doesn’t end there.
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Concessions, luxury suites, parking—the surge will take effect in all possible areas. This historic deal is a win-win for all the three parties: the Dodgers, Ohtani and the fans.
This arrangement creates a win-win scenario for all parties involved
Ohtani stands to gain $700 million, the opportunity for championship victories, and the chance to expand his brand in the extensive Los Angeles media market. The Dodgers, on the other hand, have the potential to generate significant revenue and secure championships by adding one of the globe’s premier baseball players to their roster. Meanwhile, baseball enthusiasts benefit from increased television exposure of Shohei Ohtani, undoubtedly a positive outcome for all.
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Nevertheless, the Dodgers fans will be waiting to pay it all for the chance to get a glimpse of their dream-come-true games featuring the Unicorn!
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