In his debut season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani achieved what many players only dream of: helping lead the team to its first full-season World Series title since 1988. Ohtani’s remarkable performance included hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases, earning him unanimous National League MVP honors.
“This exceeded my expectations,” Ohtani shared in an exclusive interview with USA TODAY Sports through interpreter Matt Hidaka. “Obviously, the first time I made the playoffs. We won the World Series. What more can you ask for?”
Just over a year ago, Ohtani made headlines by signing a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers—the largest deal in sports history at that time. He deferred $680 million to allow the Dodgers to build a championship-caliber team around him.
The Dodgers also enjoyed significant success at the box office, drawing 3.94 million fans—second only to their franchise record. They led MLB with an average attendance of 49,067 per game, with 37 games exceeding 50,000 fans.
While the Dodgers have yet to disclose the financial impact of Ohtani’s signing, industry estimates suggest the team generated approximately $120 million through increased corporate sponsorships, merchandise sales, and ticket revenue, buoyed by lucrative endorsement deals with Japanese companies.
Lon Rosen, Dodgers executive vice president and chief marketing officer, remarked on Ohtani’s immense popularity, stating, “He’s as popular as any athlete or celebrity I’ve ever seen.” He noted that 80 to 90 percent of Japanese tourists visiting Los Angeles make it a point to stop at Dodger Stadium.
With Ohtani under contract for several more years and the Dodgers set to open the 2025 season in Tokyo, his popularity and the team’s brand are expected to grow even further. Stan Kasten, president and CEO of the Dodgers, expressed excitement about the upcoming season, saying, “I can’t imagine the reception it will get. It should be one of the great spectacles in the history of baseball. Everyone wants to see Shohei.”
