HIGHEST-PAID ATHLETE
After crossing over to Main League Baseball (MLB) from Japan’s Nippon Skilled Baseball league to hitch the Los Angeles Angels in 2017, Ohtani made his largest profession transfer in late 2023.
Following weeks of hypothesis, his free company ended with a blockbuster take care of the Dodgers in December.
Ohtani cited his want to win as the most important consider his determination to go away the underperforming Angels, who’re enduring the worst energetic streaks in MLB with eight consecutive dropping seasons and 9 straight non-playoff seasons.
His 10-year deal, stated to value US$700 million, is the richest contract within the historical past of North American sports activities, surpassing Nationwide Basketball Affiliation stars like Steph Curry, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, as nicely Nationwide Soccer League gamers.
It eclipsed former Angels teammate Mike Trout’s US$426.5 million 12-year deal deal in 2019, beforehand MLB’s largest.
The deal’s construction additionally displays Ohtani’s want to realize staff success within the league. He’ll solely obtain US$2 million per 12 months for a decade, with the remainder of the earnings deferred till his contract is over.
This could permit the Dodgers to construct a aggressive staff round Ohtani throughout his prime years and attempt to add to their seven World Sequence titles.
