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Shohei Ohtani is undoubtedly the global face of MLB. And matching his unique two-way playing ability, Ohtani’s worth is also leaping year by year. Much before Juan Soto’s record-breaking contract, it was Ohtani who first touched $700 million milestone. And there are a few distinct features attached to his contract, which are also very first in MLB.

Shohei Ohtani’s contract with the Angels wrapped up at the end of 2023, turning him into a free agent and one of the most sought-after players in the game. So, after months of buzz and speculation, he ended up signing a jaw-dropping 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers. And back then, that was the largest contract ever in all of professional sports.

As of 2025, Celebrity Net Worth puts Ohtani’s net worth at around $150 million. That’s a huge leap from his reported $50 million worth just a few months ago. All thanks to his ever-growing popularity and unique clutch playing abilities. On top of all these, Ohtani brings in an additional $40–50 million a year just from endorsements.

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With his current earning process, it could be projected that Ohtani’s net worth will be much higher than his current $150 million in the next few years.

Shohei Ohtani’s contract breakdown

Shohei Ohtani’s contract comes with a deferred payment clause that constitutes the maximum amount. Under the terms of the deal, a staggering 97% of the $700 million is deferred until after the 10-year contract is up. Hence, he will earn only $2 million per year till 2033. Then, starting in 2034, the Dodgers will start paying out the remaining $680 million in yearly installments through 2043.

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The yearly payment of $68 million will be paid on July 1 every year. In terms of Ohtani’s age, when he signed the deal, he was 29. And by the time he receives the final $68 million payment in 2043, he’ll be 49. Indeed a long-term plan for the Dodgers.

Year Contract amount 
2024 – 2033$2 million per year (Total $20 million in 10 years)
2034 – 2043$68 million per year (Total $680 million in 10 years)
Total: 20 years$700 million

What is Shohei Ohtani’s salary

From 2018 to 2022, Shohei Ohtani made just under $9.7 million in total salary, with $5.5 million of that coming in 2022 alone. Afterwards, in 2023, he signed a one-year, $30 million contract with the Angels. And once that season wrapped, he hit free agency. So, before signing the record-breaking deal with the Dodgers, Ohtani’s highest yearly earnings were $30 million. He was bound to break Mike Trout’s $426 million contract record with the Angels.

And Ohtani did break that record, but with the Dodgers. Trout’s record of the highest contract with the Angels is intact till now.

With the Dodgers, Ohtani is having a fixed salary till 2043. Among these, $2 million per year is his present salary that will continue till 2033. And $68 million per year from 2033 to 2043. Moreover, Ohtani’s contract with the Dodgers didn’t come with any bonuses, but he received a bonus in the first year with the Angels. Reportedly, he got $2.3 million as a signing bonus. And till now that’s the only bonus he has received.

Here’s a simple breakdown of Shotime’s year-by-year salary.

Year Salary 
2023$30 million
2024$2 million
2025$2 million

A look at Shohei Ohtani’s endorsements

Thanks to his incredible success on and off the field, Shohei Ohtani has become a major magnet for endorsements. He landed deals with big-name brands like Seiko Watch, Panini, Oakley, Fanatics, Hugo Boss, and Topps. Moreover, he currently pulls in between $40 and $50 million each year just from endorsements. You can imagine how many brands will have tie-ups with him in the next few years.

As per a report by Sportico, Ohtani is expected to earn a total of $100 million in 2025. And if so, he will be the only third athlete in the world after Woods and Federer to earn $100 million from endorsements annually. So, even though Juan Soto is the highest-paid athlete in MLB with a $765 million deal, Ohtani is ahead of him when the endorsement amount gets added.

Shohei Ohtani’s professional career

Ohtani first started to get the taste of baseball when he was in Hanamaki Higashi High School in Japan. Reportedly, he started to gain traction from his initial days only. Ohtani achieved the commendable feat of touching 99 mph fastball when he was just 18. An early taste of throwing fireballs. However, this was all in the domestic scene in Japan, and Ohtani burst into the international scene in the 2012 18U Baseball World Championship. Ohtani achieved 18 SOs and gave up only 5 runs.

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After making his mark in the World Baseball Championship, Ohtani made his professional debut first with the Fighters in 2013. He also took the mound throughout the season, ending with a 3-0 record across 11 starts. During his stint in NBP, Ohtani hit a home run against the Orix Buffaloes and became the first Japanese player to touch double digits in both home runs and wins in a single season.

Here started Shohei Ohtani’s newer milestones…

In 2014, a 101 mph fastball by Ohtani in the Mazda All-Star Game set a record for the fastest pitch by a Japanese player. And with all these, he caught the eyes of the MLB teams, and in 2018, he made his debut with the Angels. And in the following years in MLB, Ohtani founded the 50-50 club!

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With several years left in Ohtani’s career, we are certain that a lot more milestones will be created by the man. While his salary is fixed now, figures will be something worth watching for Ohtani.

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Is Shohei Ohtani's $700 million contract a smart move by the Dodgers or a risky gamble?

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