HIGHEST-PAID ATHLETE
After crossing over to Major League Baseball (MLB) from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league to join the Los Angeles Angels in 2017, Ohtani made his biggest career move in late 2023.
Following weeks of speculation, his free agency ended with a blockbuster deal with the Dodgers in December.
Ohtani cited his desire to win as the biggest factor in his decision to leave the underperforming Angels, who are enduring the worst active streaks in MLB with eight consecutive losing seasons and nine straight non-playoff seasons.
His 10-year deal, said to cost US$700 million, is the richest contract in the history of North American sports, surpassing National Basketball Association stars like Steph Curry, LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, as well National Football League players.
It eclipsed former Angels teammate Mike Trout’s US$426.5 million 12-year deal deal in 2019, previously MLB’s largest.
The deal’s structure also reflects Ohtani’s desire to achieve team success in the league. He will only receive US$2 million per year for a decade, with the rest of the earnings deferred until his contract is over.
This should allow the Dodgers to build a competitive team around Ohtani during his prime years and try to add to their seven World Series titles.
Source: CNA
