Net Worth Ranker
What Is Shohei Ohtani’s Net Worth?
Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese-born professional baseball phenomenon, boasts a net worth of approximately $150 million as of early 2025. This impressive figure is a result of his lucrative baseball contracts and substantial endorsement deals with major brands.
Shohei Ohtani’s Groundbreaking Contract and Salary Details
On December 9, 2023, Shohei Ohtani etched his name in baseball history by signing a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This landmark deal represents the largest contract ever awarded in professional sports, surpassing previous records set by athletes across various disciplines.
The structure of Ohtani’s contract is unique. While the total value is $700 million, he will receive only $2 million per year in actual salary during the 10-year term. The remaining $680 million will be paid out in deferred installments of $68 million annually, commencing in 2034 and continuing through 2043. This deferral was reportedly Ohtani’s suggestion to allow the Dodgers greater financial flexibility to build a competitive team around him.
Between 2018 and 2022, while playing for the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani’s total salary amounted to just under $9.7 million. In 2022 alone, he earned $5.5 million. Prior to his free agency, he signed a 1-year, $30 million contract with the Angels for the 2023 season. Before his UCL injury in August 2023, projections suggested he could command a 12-year contract worth $600 million.
To illustrate the magnitude of Ohtani’s deal, the previous record for the largest contract in MLB history was Mike Trout’s 12-year, $426 million extension with the Angels, signed in 2019. Although Ohtani will not receive interest on the deferred $680 million, its net present value is estimated to be around $460 million.
Early Life and Baseball Beginnings
Shohei Ohtani was born in 1994 in Ōshū, Iwate, Japan. He attended Hanamaki Higashi High School, where he showcased his prodigious talent as a pitcher for the school’s baseball team. Even at the young age of 18, Ohtani demonstrated exceptional ability, consistently throwing a 99 mph fastball, an uncommon feat for a player of his age.
During the 2012 18U Baseball World Championship, Ohtani solidified his reputation as a rising star, recording 16 strikeouts while navigating eight walks and allowing five runs. This performance garnered significant attention from numerous MLB teams, including the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Texas Rangers. Despite Ohtani’s aspirations for a career in MLB, Japan’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters selected him in the draft. Ohtani ultimately signed with the Fighters, with the intention of eventually transitioning to MLB.
In March 2013, Ohtani made his debut as a right fielder in the Fighters’ season-opening game. He simultaneously served as a pitcher, finishing the season with a 3-0 record across 11 starts. Despite his overall average statistics, fans recognized his potential and voted him into the All-Star Game.
Success with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
During his second season with the Fighters in 2014, Ohtani continued his dual role as both a pitcher and an outfielder. As a hitter, he achieved a .274 batting average, while as a pitcher, he maintained a 2.61 ERA in 24 starts, striking out 179 batters in 155.1 innings. In a September game against the Orix Buffaloes at Kyocera Dome, Ohtani’s home run made him the first Japanese player to reach double digits in both home runs and wins. A week later, he secured a 1-0 shutout against Orix.
In the summer of 2014, Ohtani further cemented his status by throwing a 101 mph fastball in the Mazda All-Star Game, setting a record for the fastest official pitch thrown by a Japanese pitcher. During the postseason, he was selected as a member of the national team and participated in the Suzuki All-Star Series.
Ohtani’s pitching prowess reached new heights in 2015, establishing him as one of the league’s top performers. He concluded the season with a 15-5 record and a 2.24 ERA, accompanied by 196 strikeouts. Notably, he led the league in wins, ERA, and shutouts.
The following season, Ohtani continued to showcase his versatility, hitting 22 home runs and 18 doubles while striking out 174 batters on the mound. He was recognized with the Best Nine award as a pitcher and earned the Pacific League MVP title. Ohtani played a pivotal role in leading the Fighters to victory in the 2016 Japan Series against the Hiroshima Carp.
In his final season with the Fighters in 2017, Ohtani participated in 65 games, achieving a .332 batting average with eight home runs and recording 29 strikeouts on the mound.
International Play
During his international playing career, Ohtani earned a bronze medal with the Samurai Japan National Baseball Team in the 2015 Premier12. He was subsequently named to the 2015 World Baseball Softball Confederation All-World Team.
In 2017, Ohtani was included in the 28-man roster for the Japanese National Baseball Team in the World Baseball Classic; however, he was forced to withdraw due to an ankle injury.
Los Angeles Angels Tenure
In December 2017, after narrowing down his MLB finalists, Ohtani reached an agreement with the Los Angeles Angels. He made his debut as a designated hitter on Opening Day against the Oakland Athletics, and in April, he debuted as a pitcher. Early in April, Ohtani hit his first, second, and third MLB home runs in three days, marking the first time an Angels rookie had achieved this feat. In September, he became the first major league player in almost 100 years to hit 15 home runs and pitch 50 innings in a single season.
Ohtani’s exceptional performance earned him the American League Rookie of the Year Award in 2018. Due to a bipartite patella injury that required surgery, his 2019 season was cut short. He returned to the mound in July 2020, but his pitching was curtailed once again due to a flexor strain in his right elbow.
Ohtani returned to full form in 2021, striking out seven batters in his first pitching start against the Chicago White Sox. As a batter, he hit a 450-foot home run on his first pitch. He threw four scoreless innings in a game against the Texas Rangers and secured his first win of the season. Ohtani achieved a rare distinction by starting on the mound and leading the Majors in home runs, a feat last accomplished by Babe Ruth in 1921.
Continuing his historic trajectory, Ohtani became the first pitcher and the first Japanese player to be elected to the Home Run Derby, and the first player to be selected as an All-Star as both a pitcher and position player. In the All-Star Game, Ohtani pitched a perfect first inning, becoming the first leadoff man to throw a 100 mph fastball.
Joining the LA Dodgers
As noted previously, Shohei Ohtani signed with the LA Dodgers in December 2023, marking a new chapter in his already illustrious career.
Endorsement Portfolio
Shohei Ohtani’s widespread popularity and success have made him a highly sought-after endorser for numerous Japanese and American companies. He has secured endorsement deals with prominent brands such as Seiko Watch, Panini, Oakley, Fanatics, Hugo Boss, and Topps. These endorsements contribute significantly to his income, generating an estimated $40 to $50 million annually.
Real Estate Investments
In May 2024, Shohei Ohtani expanded his real estate portfolio by purchasing a home in the LA suburb of La Cañada Flintridge for $7.85 million. The seller was Adam Carolla, who had originally acquired the 7,300-square-foot property for $7.327 million. Carolla initially listed the home for $9 million in June 2023.
