Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani has risen to prominence in the MLB, culminating in a groundbreaking 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers valued at an astounding £558m ($700m). This historic deal surpasses the combined prize winnings of tennis legends Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams.
Ohtani’s exceptional talent as a versatile player for the Los Angeles Angels has garnered global attention from sports enthusiasts. Following his decision to explore new opportunities, he emerged as one of the most sought-after talents in his field, ultimately securing the record-breaking contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The scale of Ohtani’s deal is notably significant when compared to the impressive career prize winnings of renowned tennis champions. Djokovic, Federer, Nadal, and Williams have accumulated a combined total of £430m throughout their illustrious careers, a figure that pales in comparison to Ohtani’s monumental contract.
As a result of this groundbreaking agreement, Ohtani now joins the ranks of the highest-earning athletes globally. His earnings will far surpass the salaries of esteemed football superstars Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, as well as revered NBA player LeBron James. The substantial sum even exceeds the reported £400m deal that Masters champion Jon Rahm received to join the LIV Golf league. Notably, Ohtani’s existing endorsements and commercial deals already yield an annual income of approximately £40m from baseball.
In securing this unprecedented contract, Ohtani has redefined the landscape of sports deals, setting a new standard for athletes across various disciplines.
Sources:
– BBC Sport
– ESPN
– Los Angeles Times