Between record-breaking ticket sales, merch, and marketing deals, Shohei Ohtani’s first season has already paid major dividends for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers’ investment in Shohei Ohtani is already paying off in a big way. In his first season with Los Angeles, the two-way superstar has not only lived up to his $700 million deal but fueled the Dodgers’ return to the World Series. His latest performance, with three home runs and six scoreless innings pitched, powered the Dodgers to their second straight Fall Classic and reminded fans why he’s worth every penny. Ohtani’s dominance on both sides of the ball has made him the driving force behind another championship run for the Dodgers.
How did the Dodgers make their money back so quickly?
According to reporter Joon Lee, the Dodgers have already recouped the cost of Ohtani’s massive contract through booming ticket sales, merchandise revenue, and international marketing deals in Japan and worldwide. Lee also pointed to a recent Wall Street Journal article that reported tourism from Japan to Los Angeles has surged by almost 90% since Shohei Ohtani signed with the Dodgers.
Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract is enormous, but according to sources, the Dodgers made back the entirety of the contract in Ohtani’s first season in tickets, marketing deals in Japan/global, merchandise.
His impact on baseball’s growth cannot be understated.
— Joon Lee (@joonlee) October 18, 2025
In a video posted to X, Lee stated, “The Dodgers made $750 million in 2024, but I think that underplays the impact that Ohtani is actually having on the team’s financial situation. First, it’s hard to understate how enormous of a celebrity Ohtani is in Japan. He’s covered like the president of the country. […] and that translates to the number of fans that now come to Dodger Stadium straight from Japan.”
The Ohtani Effect
In addition to attracting a wave of new fans, the Dodgers have also drawn increased interest from major brands eager to associate themselves with Shohei Ohtani’s global appeal. Both Japanese and international companies are seeking partnerships to capitalize on the “Ohtani effect,” recognizing that while baseball has many great players, none carry the same star power or marketing influence as Ohtani. As a result, Ohtani’s global reach has transformed the Dodgers into one of the most marketable franchises in professional sports.
