In the modern baseball world, the names of Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani echo the best. The two share many similarities and have close competition, whether it’s the home runs or MVP awards. Though Judge claimed the victory last year in both, Ohtani is charging ahead this season. But the contest is not limited to the baseball field.

Given their skills, the two are a few of the highest-paid players in the MLB world. And their extensive liking further adds to their fame and hence the big buck deals. Though Ohtani led here with the New Balance. Judge’s latest Nike deal has brought him back to the competition. Who wins this off-the-field battle?

Aaron Judge Adds to Shohei Ohtani Competition With His Latest Deal

Apart from the wages, brand deals play a big role in the earnings of superstar athletes. And when you are one of the best in the league, the deal fetches millions. From Alex Rodriguez to Derek Jeter to Barry Bonds, all have benefitted from their success on the field. And the story has continued in the modern period, with Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani getting similar attention.

But it also brings comparisons that have brought Judge and Ohtani to the competitive table. It happened after Judge signed with Nike and released a pair of custom cleats, adding to his value. In comparison, Ohtani has a deal with New Balance. And given the market value of Nike and the huge craze amongst the fans, Judge’s deal is clearly bigger.

Moreover, Michael Jordan has always signed young players for his exclusive deals, which include the likes of Luka Doncic and Zion Williamson. And the signing of Judge, who is in his early 30s, indicates a change. Is it because Jordan also agrees with Jeter, who has called the Yankees captain, the best baseball player? That may be true. But Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout thinks otherwise.

Mike Trout Terms Ohtani a Deserving Candidate for Jordan Brand

Although Nike has picked up Aaron Judge as the next MLB star for an exclusive deal, Mike Trout thinks that Ohtani is a deserving candidate more than anyone else. He said this during his conversation with Mookie Betts. When Trout was asked who deserved a signature shoe from the NBA legend’s brand, he termed it an easy choice.

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