Shohei Ohtani secured an unprecedented agreement with the Los Angeles Dodgers in a stunning Saturday development. The Japanese pitcher/hitter sealed a monumental 10-year contract valued at $700 million. With that, he has made a record for the largest deal in sports history while surpassing the previous $673 million mark held by Lionel Messi‘s contract with FC Barcelona. Furthermore, Ohtani has also redefined the landscape of free-agent pursuits in the league.

With his monumental leap, Ohtani’s agreement has also unleashed shockwaves throughout the athletic world, capturing the attention and admiration of athletes and personalities across various sports.

Darvin Ham couldn’t help but chuckle at Shohei Ohtani’s deal

As the Los Angeles Lakers prepared to take over the In-Season Tournament Finale, Darvin Ham addressed pre-game interview sessions. When pressed by the media for his take on the Ohtani’s monumental deal, Ham couldn’t contain his amusement and surprise. With a hearty laugh, he expressed, “Man, $700 million. God bless him. Great move. Great move.”

In a talk with the media, Darvin Ham sat in a position to secure a substantial sum himself. If the Lakers successfully navigate their way past the Indiana Pacers, they can pocket a hefty $500,000 and hoist the inaugural NBA Cup. Luckily for Ham, the coach on the victorious team will also be entitled to the winning amount.

Read More – Lakers Fan Timothee Chalamet Links Up With NBA Commissioner Ahead of NBA Cup Final

On the other hand, the losing team also has a respectable $200,000 up for grabs. Furthermore, the assistant coaches will pick from a separate pool of funds, amounting to 75% of the winning coach’s overall earnings.

Ham thinks the reward money is not enough

From the teams that reached the quarterfinals to even the bench players clinching victory, there’s prize money up for grabs for nearly everyone in the tournament. However, according to Darvin Ham, the monetary rewards offered fall short.

When questioned about potential enhancements to the tournament, he advocated for increasing the financial stakes. Additionally, he mentioned needing some time to brainstorm more ideas for improvements.

When pressed on the idea of granting the winning team a playoff advantage, Ham didn’t dismiss the notion. However, he hinted at the possibility of draft compensations while reiterating that monetary rewards should be increased. “Maybe it’s some type of draft compensation as well as the purse. I don’t know, something like that. I think it would be cool. But if you want the players to play at an extremely high level, increase the purse.”

From the announcement to its final game, the In-Season Tournament has successfully etched its presence into the hearts of fans. With the NBA gearing up for its second installment next year, it is safe to say that certain changes are definitely on the horizon.

What do you make of Shohei Ohtani’s blockbuster contract?

Watch This Story – Microwave Devin Booker Saving Grace for Kevin Durant as Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson Battle an Uphill Climb at Warriors vs Suns