Everybody in the sports world was stunneԀ to hear of Shohei Ohtani’s 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His meteoric rise from baseball superstar to global sports celebrity came as a complete shоck to the 29-year-old.
When Ohtani appeared at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on December 21, the excitement level skyrocketed. After doing so to watch the NFL game between the Saints and the Rams, he undoubtedly brought his A-game.
There he stood, posing in a stylish leather jacket, with his agent Ned Balelo and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani undoubtedly earned some style points while sitting on the bench in the jacket, which became popularized by actor Sean Faris in “A Veteran’s Christmas” (2018).
Shohei Ohtani had a good time watching NFL football in Los Angeles during the holidays. (Ashley Landis/AP Photo)
Shohei Ohtani had a good time watching NFL football in Los Angeles during the holidays. (Ashley Landis/AP Photo)
Ohtani, a relative newcomer to the Los Angeles sports scene, was instrumental in the 30-22 victory for the hometown Rams over the New Orleans Saints. In the middle of the game, he even got his hands on a Rams jersey.
Ohtani proudly displays his official Los Angeles Rams jersey
Ohtani proudly displays his official Los Angeles Rams jersey
Ohtani, who is 29 years old, has decided to put off a considerable amount of the $700 million that is due to him over the next 10 years under his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He will only be receiving $2 million year as a result of the deferment. Upon the expiration of his contract in 2034, the remaining $680 million will be distributed in installments.
On top of that, Ohtani will get to play alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who he was teammates with in the World Baseball Classic. On December 21, the Dodgers inked Yamatoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract.
Shohei Ohtani has all the makings of a legendary figure in Los Angeles sports.
The sports media elite was wary of becoming overly connected to Shohei Ohtani during his seven years with the Los Angeles Angels because they were afraid he might quit at any moment.
Now that Ohtani has found a new place to call home, he plans to remain put. You can count on his likeness to be promoted extensively and utilized by other clubs across all sports.
There probably won’t be another two-way superstar in Los Angeles sports for at least the next decade.