🚨 'FLABBERGASTING': Shohei Ohtani defers $700M contract to $2M/year | SportsCenter

Jeff Passan joins SportsCenter to detail the shocking revelation that Shohei Ohtani is deferring $680M of his record-breaking 10-year deal to the end of his contract and how the move impacts the LA Dodgers' luxury tax and in free agency.
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[@onespeedlite]

The Dodgers will make money off Ohtani right away in sponsorships ($30M+ per year) while only paying him $2M salary. Ohtani gave the Dodgers and their fans the biggest gift ever. Unbelieveable.

[@mikewinter]

biggest money maker for Dodgers might be Japanese TV rights.

[@erkbzr]

All I have to say is.....❤ I love you Ohtani!!!! I promise to spend, spend, spend at Dodger Stadium 🏟 at the Dodgers store while drinking 30.00 tall boys 🍻🍺🍻🍺😅😅😊😂🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲🥲😎😎😎😎🙏🙏🙏🙏😅😅😅😁😁😁😄😄😃😀🥲🥲🥲🥲

[@mouseinthehouse_]

30 million is just from tickets and merchandise. Sponsorships and a NHK tv deal bring it to probably 100 million a year.

[@alexnhan8527]

Ohtani will probably make $20 million a year on endorsements alone!

[@DW-op7ly]

Per ESPN's Alden González, it is believed that Shohei Ohtani made between $40 million and 50 million this year just off his image in endorsement deals in the United States and mainly, in his home country, Japan. Amp . Marca

[@Wreckedandruinedand]

Im not even into baseball and the first time i heard about Ohtani's name was a few days ago... And now im already rooting for him to win whatever competition he enters

[@ExileOfSand]

If there is ever an example of winning being a priority above all else, Shohei is the face of it

[@samidavis3146]

You can tell by his demeanor that money was never his focus, his focus is winning and the pursuit of greatness. Respect to Shohei!!

[@metallicafan416]

Than sign for 10 million

[@internet2055]

Japan 1 - USA 0

[@clubeyxander5132]

@@metallicafan416 You don't seem to understand what signing for 10 million would do to the other players. I can't even tell if you're sayin 10 million for a year or the whole ten years. I'll take it that you meant for a year. Let's say you work for an annual $100,000. Then comes a guy who does you're job a lot better than you in more than one way, and he only takes $1,000. Would you find that man to be fair and galant while you'll be most probably unemployed by the next fiscal year? In addition, no one would be hiring you for more than $1,000 any longer. The average salary for a ML player is $4.9m, which is exactly 7% of Ohtani's $70m. Let's put that into perspective. If the top dog in the world you work in gets only $1,000 a year, an average guy in a firm of the same industry would probably make $70 a year. I presume not too many people would be OK with that. Shohei actually sent a message not to be too greedy to many ML stars without risking destruction of the whole structure. BTW, if you meant 10 million for the entire ten years the calculation would end up much less, i.e. $7 a year...

[@user-ll4wu3kb2m]

@@metallicafan416 what a moron take ? Cry more sheep , how’s the 9-5?

[@Joe-ng5ez]

😂 oh no money was never the focus I mean I guess he could live on 1 million a year hmmm maybe he could live on 50000.00 a year . Im sure making 700 million for the rest of his life was not the focus

[@johnofmalta]

Really smart. Ohtani is a legend!

[@AnonymousUser-ss2qr]

50% of that money is going to taxes... He should have asked for more.

[@jsilva7005]

@@AnonymousUser-ss2qrevery pro player pays 50% tax rate. He isn’t special

[@adadnamedpaul]

The ultimate team player. He’s my absolute favorite player ever!

[@feddi7693]

Humble man💯

[@RobbieStacks90]

After this move, Ohtani is definitely my favorite player.

[@RobbieStacks90]

After this move, Ohtani is definitely my favorite player.

[@dannyd8918]

This is what makes him a LEGEND! Not only is he an amazing player, who is very dedicated to his craft, he is very humble and thinks in the long run. It's not about the money, but the love of baseball and to WIN! He knows what he is worth, that $700 Million USD price tag, but he knows what it takes to win. Deferring the 68M/year give his teams to expand and retain talented players to go ALL THE WAY! He is thinking about his team and not himself. He may no longer be an Angel, but WHAT A SAINT! LA Dodgers and fans are lucky to have him.

[@yaniyuhara8165]

Well said ! I personally wanted Shohei to stay with Angels at the beginning of his FA since “loyalty” is a very important aspect of Japanese culture, but after what I learned the details of this contract and the fact the same contract was offered to Angels by Shohei, I became convinced that Moreno was not as committed to winning as Shohei is, and therefore I am at peace with Shohei switching team. Dodgers dynasty has begun !

[@tymirsmith6397]

GlaZing

[@user-pv7xc3cn6g]

A contract with wisdom . Money , reputation , even the championship all in pocket . Truly amazing player out of this world .

[@tommyl3707]

I respect the player who doesn’t need to stack his team to win

[@BestKeptSecretsRaps]

@@tommyl3707you’re just jealous your team can’t

[@thisguy8106]

​@@tommyl3707this is fkn baseball. It's not like basketball or football. "Stacking" a team means nothing (look at San Diego and NY Mets last year) Leaving money open for pitchers and depth is SMART AF.

[@averageadam5001]

Back of your throat sore or what?

[@gruevlock24]

​@@thisguy8106Yeah ? Didn't work out for Rangers right? Moron

[@koningklootzak7788]

A living legend. You're welcome, America. 🇯🇵

[@clubeyxander5132]

There were so many people criticizing Ohtani that no one player was worth $700m and making him into some kind of money hog. I wonder what those people have to say about this contract which defers 98% of it. Would they defer 98% of their earnings to help their company succeed?

[@Djfjfjrhhrjrhrhfj]

If the 2% that I get to keep is 2 million per year and my off the field income is God knows how much higher than that? Sure, why not... I get 3/4th of a billion dollars in 10 years and get to win in the short term which only boosts my brand and value even more off the field. Let's not act like Ohtani is Mother Teresa devoting his life to others by delaying being a billionaire by a few years.

[@red23rd]

Now they say this is not right, this is unfair bla bla bla..

[@Harcorwrestler]

If you know that you know you are guaranteed to get $700 in the end and are going to get $50 plus million a year somewhere else, I’m sure a lot of people will have no problem saying yes to that.

[@clubeyxander5132]

@@Harcorwrestler And will you? You know that Ohtani is losing roughly $260M in the 10 year span, right? That 260M is not going to be compensated. It's easy to say you will, but in reality, no one will do that other than Shohei.

[@zdthekilla6950]

Bruh that’s from baseball only tho 😂😂😂like I’d definitely do that if I had Ad revenue coming in from new balance and other brand deals. 2million from baseball doesn’t hurt all the Ad money he’s going to be receiving from sponsors. It’s actually super easy to do people aren’t dumb…

[@alexsakon]

If he’s not the LEGEND, the UNICORN, the GOAT, I’m not sure who is.

[@AnonymousUser-ss2qr]

taxes will take 50% of that money... California

[@WembeyNoodl]

Barry bonds

[@SportsUniqueFootage]

He hasn't won anything though. I'm a fan but he needs to win

[@MinePlay512]

A lot of people love Shohei for a reason. Team-first born leader.

[@nathandiggins9701]

Yea he’s like Lebron, wants to make a super team cause he can’t win, he likes to rig it

[@omegacroc2928]

@@nathandiggins9701bro this is baseball you can’t carry a team.

[@RunForPeace-hk1cu]

@@omegacroc2928 by sacrificing ... he's carrying the team little bruh.

[@ruckus2227]

@@nathandiggins9701 bro tried with the angels homie, you are delusional

[@steviejohnson378]

Nah total BS deal. Very anti competitive for the league.

[@nancyabeleda8585]

GEEEZZZZZZ! This is even more jaw dropping than 700M! Shohei is too nice!!!

[@yskim2636]

Brilliant move. He lives sparingly and humbly. He wants to build a team. He has always guided his career this way. Class act.

[@RonaldM992000]

theultimatebasket.blogspot.com/2023/12/free-advice.html

[@kumar01234]

Dawg he makes $50 mil per year in endorsements that's why hes okay with this large deferral lol

[@onespeedlite]

No wife. No children. Doesn't go out and party like a celebrity. Drives a Tesla and not some $4.5M super car. No drama. Gets along with everybody. Financially secured for many lifetimes over. Generous. Good looking. A real stud on the field. He's the kind of guy fathers want their daughters to marry.

[@RonaldM992000]

@@kumar01234 don't call me "dawg"

[@naranja1972]

Considering cali tax… it’s a genius move. I doubt he’ll be with the dodgers for all ten years. Perhaps he can work in a trade to a no income tax state at the end of his contract /career? Sheesh that’ll be a lot of money saved on taxes

[@Luciodamus]

Talk about selfless and ultimate team player. Yes he's still getting 700m in the end but that is as team friendly of a contract as it gets and I have not seen a single athlete done anything close to this, ever!

[@dn9597]

Shohei is such a team player! He cares about winning! He deferred the money so the Dodgers can sign good players to surround him! I want to see Shohei win the world series!

[@jonathanschwarz2650]

Wrong. He likely did it to add to his mystique. Could've take 10 years 460 million and earned more investing the money.

[@DW-op7ly]

Wrong Not a bad idea if the deferred money is converted into ownership shares of the Dodgers when he retires

[@dannyviveros7095]

Absolutely 💯 Correct! Don't listen to or pay attention to these 2 Bozos. They understand nothing about TEAM concept & a perfect example of whom NOT to have in your organization.

[@SquidJoe]

The man just loves the sport more than anything.

[@user-lx8fu7uk7x]

Dodgers offices said after meeting with Ohtani on 01/12/23, they were shocked, because they realized that rumor is true his hobby just two things, one is playing baseball, two is baseball training🤯 In the meeting, they said they asked him why want to play baseball? And the answer is so simple: I just wants to play baseball. 😮 Shohei is not like other players display themselves like a CEO or a brand, He is so fresh. Every Shohei fan knows that he is just like a teenager whose life only eating, sleeping and baseball ⚾️ but still touching our hearts with heard about it again from the high official 🥹

[@jamesf6754]

Then he should have taken the opportunity to expand it around the world. America needs to get out of its own way if they every truly want to expand the sport.

[@michaelwenzel982]

Shohei is doing something similar to what Michael Jordan did at the Bulls. Michael was making 10X his NBA salary in endorsements and advertising dollars. Shohei currently makes $25M-$30M/year in endorsements. Jordan knew he was making those huge endorsement dollars because he was winning championships. He was winning championships because he was able to keep a strong team around him with very talented role players. He knew if he took too much of the money, that his teammates would leave for other teams who could pay their market value. So he took less, so his teammates could make more and be happy, and he could make more endorsements, which far exceeded his salary. Shohei wants to win championships. He won the WBA championship earlier this year and now he wants an MLB ring. That is why he chose the Dodgers. That is why he is deferring his salary.

[@clubeyxander5132]

Yep. The funny thing is that Shohei doesn't need that much money. His monthly spendings rarely exceeds a few hundred dollars. Even MJ made $4m a year three decades ago. The average NBA salary was $1m, so he was still making four times the amount. Thirty years later, after the huge inflation during that time, Ohtani is willing to play for $2m a year. Nowadays, an average MLB player makes $4.9m a year. That's less than half the average. Not taking anything away from MJ, just saying how crazy this Ohtani guy is!

[@michaelwenzel982]

I think Shohei already makes $25M-$30M annually in endorsements currently. So he has more money than he knows what to do with. And he leaves money on the table to build a stronger team around him@@clubeyxander5132

[@davidchandler6885]

MJ got paid NOTHING, this guy is off salary

[@davidchandler6885]

​@@clubeyxander5132not for a star, MJ making alot less and this guy is getting paid over 10 yrs MJ never got paid just reasonable 2 yrs,

[@MrDuds1984]

Jordan never took less to play for the Bulls. His last few years he made $30M to $35M. I’m sure him and his agent never thought of deferring his salary

[@r.a.417]

Dodgers giving him the contract proves how important he is to the organization. Ohtani deferring much of the money shows not only he wants to win but he is showing his loyalty to the organization. Gonna be a very fruitful 10 yrs. Go Blue!!!

[@kendraadman7229]

Sorry, you still have Roberts . What’s the use of having a Ferrari if it won’t run???

[@nancymilawski1048]

​@@kendraadman7229yes I hate Robert's managing too

[@JackieDaytona1776]

Yeah, before I learned about the deferrals, I thought this deal was a disaster. Knowing that, if I'm Toronto I'd have offered a billion dollars lol but to commit $700,000,000 to a DH with two Tommy Johns and 0 career playoff games is a pretty dumb move; he didn't want to leave LA anyway, he'd probably have signed for $500MM. He was an idiot for ever signing with the Angels, I swear he must have meant the Dodgers when he signed with the Angels 6 years ago lol

[@nancymilawski1048]

@@JackieDaytona1776 maybe Angeles said they would trade him to the dodgers

[@Torpid6441]

@@JackieDaytona1776Whole lot of yapping

[@r.a.417]

Ohtani hasn’t even met his teammates face to face but he is already taking care of them. Big time team player! Go Blue!

[@andytsui55]

he seems like a humble/frugal person, so he'll be FINE

[@AlbertoRodriguez-nd8di]

He's Japanese. Culture of respect and discipline

[@justmyopinion8395]

He makes $40m a year in endorsements. He will be fine.

[@3lastname390]

Let his mom hold all his money. She gives him a monthly allowance of $1000. Dude spends only $200

[@abcdeeer]

and no opt outs, he really dedicating the next 10yrs to dodgers

[@jonathantaone7363]

Wow. Now that Roki Sasaki wants to be posted imagine a rotation of Ohtani, Yamamoto, Sasaki, Imanaga in the next few years? Japan viewership/sponsorships/attendance would be through the roof. Not to mention if they sign Jung Hoo-Lee who is Korean that would really embrace the LA area and bring a whole Korean fan base to viewing/attending games! Go Samurai Japan Dodgers!

[@maxdubs222]

You sound as delusional as a lakers fan.. oh wait you probably are one of those too

[@wilburwood8261]

As a Japanese, I prefer our Japanese star players spread around, I want to see them competing, I hope the other players dont go to LAD.

[@taka0359]

佐々木は1シーズンローテーションを守ったことがなく規定投球回数もクリアしたことがない。メジャーなど今の体力では無理だ。

[@wilburwood8261]

@@taka0359 そうだね。でも大谷もケガしてほとんど欠場した翌年にMLB行ったけどな。むこうに行ってから競いながら鍛えるという手もあるかも。山本と違って25歳以下なので、国際ルールに則って契約金は微々たるもんだし、どこの球団にも行ける。

[@danielsuzuki2678]

What an intelligent move for both the Dodgers and Shohei!!! First Shohei can afford to do this and second he can trust the Dodgers to pay him. Now the Dodgers can spend that money to put a fantastic team around Shohei and he has opportunity to win more championships. Damm, both the Dodgers and Shohei are so smart!!!

[@nofurtherwest3474]

I hope the Dodgers win a title! The pressure will be on

[@atty.fernandog.madarcos8724]

He wants to win plain and simple. Impressive 🔥

[@jayalmo8831]

Nah.. took the easy way out. I don’t respect it

[@greatnessdelton1381]

@@jayalmo8831 "Jayalmo"-Yeah, I wonder why you think that way. Stay salty, nobody wants to play for y'all.

[@as-hj1et]

he is extremely smart for doing this, he already earns around $50M off the field which will only increase with the dodgers and then he can retire peacefully probably even get some stake in the dodgers after the deal ends.

[@Will-si5ps]

Most of that deferred money that Shohei gets at the end will be even less because of inflation and opportunity costs.

[@as-hj1et]

@@Will-si5ps I'm sure he's accounted for that and it clearly doesn't matter to him 🤷🏻‍♀️ It's a win cause he doesn't tie his team down financially & they get to compete.

[@neerajnongmaithem392]

​@@Will-si5pseven if you account for inflation, he will still be one of the highest paid ball players after his contract gets over. By doing this contract he has increased his chances of getting a ring or two which will further increase his endorsement money(the very reason he was able to do this contract in the first place), he is already making upwards of 45 million through endorsements without any rings, a ring will skyrocket these numbers in the coming years. Also after a certain money number, people start to think more about accomplishments and legacy, he is already the highest earning ball player, I don't think he is thinking about money a lot now and is focussing more on the winning aspect. All set and done, he would 100% cross the 1 billion mark in earnings via his salary and endorsements. And lemme till you one thing 1 billion dollars is still a lot of money even if you account for inflation.

[@WembeyNoodl]

@@Will-si5pssure it’ll be less but that’s still ALOT of money

[@dankool688]

Shohei once said he don't care how much he makes, just want to play and win...that's the peoples champ.

[@de1738]

He wants to win the World Series🎉

[@jayalmo8831]

Ohtani and Dodgers will still choke and I can’t wait to see it

[@swore24]

Wow this guy is amazing. Viva OHTANI

[@wilburwood8261]

Mike Trout should have done this. If he did, Ohtani would have probably stayed in LAA.

[@cassandra25f]

Omggg…this makes me admire Shohei even more ❤😍

[@thomasj3701]

Pretty simple actually, his personal brand is going to be worth more if he's winning world series.

[@ozchoz]

The best player in all of baseball just showed the rest, this what you do when you want to win.

[@Harcorwrestler]

But he’s very unique and one of a kind. He’s only going to show certain players you can count on your hands with on how to do it. Most players don’t have $50 in endorsements or a very wealthy country in Japan that will endorse him.

[@sksk-kd7qt]

Shohei Ohtani has ended his legendary 10-year, $700 million contract. He has transcended MLB to become one of the best athletes on the planet alongside Messi, Michael Jordan, and Tiger Woods. He will wear the Dodger blue uniform next year and create a new legend. We are living witnesses to history. Will he win the Cy Young Award in addition to MVP and Home Run King?

[@rickrobitaille8809]

Pray Ohtani stays healthy 😂🇨🇦🇺🇸

[@DW-op7ly]

Before Ohtani got injured he played 122 out of 124 games The weekend he got injured he played 3 games over 2 nights starting the first game off with a complete game

[@jgcalc]

His pitching days are over tho. 2 ucl injuries . 1 Tommy john. An additional surgery. He never really hurts anything else tho.

[@whatmane]

The Angels really dropped the ball. They could've gotten a king's ransom for Ohtani, but let him walk away for free.

[@jenniferhamels1176]

He was never going to return to the Angels. He wants to win now. Angels aren't anywhere close to winning.

[@dexterhoang]

@@jenniferhamels1176 He's saying they shoulda traded him last season at the deadline to get something back in return instead of letting him get to free agency.

[@DLokes0819]

There’s no way he was returning to Orange County, coming from a lifetime angels fan up north now in PNW, dodgers were the only true team who will continue for years that was able to get him. Angels dropped the ball the moment they got him from Japan by showing they weren’t willing to build around him n Trout.

[@dexterhoang]

@@DLokes0819 Still dont understand where the disconnect is....He's saying they shoulda traded him last season at the deadline to get something back in return instead of letting him get to free agency. No one is saying that the Angels could have kept him....

[@JohnSmith-nj4zq]

The Angels wasn't going to get much for Shohei this past season if he was dealt. Shohei and his agent were not signing an extension with any team. They could have gotten a lot if Shohei was traded 2 season ago though, but not last season.

[@EnlightensuccessorV2]

You simply just can’t go down in history as the GOAT and not win a ring! He knows that!!! Hoping for a fruitful 10 years for him!! Get that ring Ohtani!! You got this! :)

[@yaniyuhara8165]

He will get a few of them for the next 10 years !

[@john.s7559]

Ohtani and the Dodgers finance department just took all the other teams to school on how to make a mega deal work genius..👏👏👏

[@clubeyxander5132]

I think it's all on Ohtani...

[@nbapbaupdate8338]

Shohei Ohtani LEGEND 💯

[@Devin.R]

He’s reportedly very humble with his lifestyle. He’s probably saving to buy a team himself. Tom Brady of MLB. 🤷🏻‍♂️ crazy

[@mocochan]

As a Japanese fan, not surprised at all. Shohei was never interested in money but only in baseball. When he was in Japan, also he was making a couple of million $ but he gave all his money to his parents and they gave him $1,000 a month. And he said, he couldn’t spent them all every month because he was living in the dorm and meals were provided. Also his parents didn’t touch his money and they saved them for Shohei. His mom still has a part time job and his dad works full time.

[@user-rs1xo2mj2g]

If some get too much salary, it hurts team organization. This is totally a lesson learned with the Angels.

[@gelo_b95]

Dodgers are gonna get Yamamoto now. I would too if I was him. An opportunity to play with a Japanese teammate who’s iconic and can win multiple rings. This straight up shows Ohtani’s loyalty and his will to win rings. Pure genius.

[@Deerjason]

Absolutely. The only thing stopping it is if Yamamoto wants to play with someone else but I doubt it.

[@gelo_b95]

@@Deerjason I heard Yamamoto grew up being a Dodger fan. Andrew Friedman only speaks when it’s time to say checkmate.

[@Deerjason]

@@gelo_b95 dodgers are preparing to make a super team Jesus. They will get all the Japan money and be able to pay for even more stars. Wouldn’t be surprised if the dodgers get Sasaki also.

[@broncoramfan]

I wonder if he will take the same type of deal like ohtani?

[@gelo_b95]

@@Deerjason better win multiple rings with that amount of talent. 2 rings in the next 5 yrs.

[@matten_zero]

Japan is just a better country and society. Principles and dedication. Its to ensure he keeps working hard and isnt distracted. Who else would do this?

[@pierrevalentino5250]

Bro smart, he's getting that 680 million in his final year & moving right back to Japan to avoid IRS 200 IQ Ohtani

[@DW-op7ly]

Ohtani is willing to take a 240 million hit in todays dollars Because he suggested it This is something the league and players association agreed to No one takes this because they don’t make as much as Ohtani and money never really seems to matter to him And plus he makes tons off the field And sounds like he will just convert the money he is owed when he is retired to ownership shares

[@skyshi4143]

Lmao

[@zhoubaidinh403]

Future California's Governors will hold him hostage to pay all them taxes!!

[@BeefPapa]

Yeah that's not how taxes work.

[@streetcar6080]

Doesn't work that way. He's a green card holder, IRS requires an exit tax. Just ask Boris Johnson. There is no way to escape the IRS not even Ohtani

[@harveljeanty6864]

Wondering if he is on the phone with Trout to bring him over 👀

[@Jokeeer1-lw1yp]

May god hear you

[@clubeyxander5132]

Well, that would be a dream come true... Trout really needs a break.

[@gusdrago]

Ohtani's contract will change the history of all contracts in sports

[@thompson7271]

Genius

[@jjballers81]

Blame baseball’s rules for this. Dude turns 30 and hasn’t won a playoff game yet. League only has themselves to blame for this. This dude is smart. This is a Brady like deal. Legacy, legacy, legacy.

[@elliekim6666]

Well the new CBA in the future will patch this hole

[@Vhc706]

All said and done, this team is going to be unstoppable

[@corywhite6098]

that's what folks said about the Padres last year

[@Vhc706]

@@corywhite6098 All I'm saying is if you had to bet money on any team right now, you would be silly not to bet on the Dodgers for the next 10 years. Sports books will agree.

[@kidofcrash703]

Yup, competitive balance officially thrown out the window!!

[@turodre9899]

@@Vhc706ok then bet on them if you’re sure of it, because they’ve proved many times you can’t take them serious, if the Rockies made the postseason next year they would eliminate the choking dodgers lmaoo it’s a constant cycle at this point, no one is scared of them regardless of who they have on their roster… I’d take Atlanta and the Phillies in the NL right now over them any day! Diamondbacks are up there too… Houston and Texas would beat them in a 7 game series if we’re talking about teams in the AL

[@Logic105]

​@@corywhite6098barely anyone said that about the Padres last year.

[@JohnSmith-nj4zq]

Shohei gets about $30 mil a year from sponsorships. If or after he wins a Championship that number might go up even further. So he won't be short on cash as he'll differ the 600 plus million after his contract is over.

[@stephenwa7417]

As a new dodgers and baseball fan.. im already loving shohei

[@Deerjason]

Wait until the dodgers sign both Yamamoto and Sasaki somehow. It is definitely possible if they both want to play for the dodgers since Sasaki can’t get paid much. Two aces on the mound and a crazy batting order, like wth.

[@greatloverofmusic1]

I have to laugh at the people saying he only spends a few hundred dollars a month. I have to ask since when has LA become so affordable?

[@sdcazares1980]

“I’ll pay you $2,000 now, plus $15,000 WHEN we reach Alderaan”.

[@art08474]

“ 17 huh? “

[@caseyjones815]

MAN IS NEVER EVIL. AMAZING

[@luciodeleon1998]

One of a kind player, much more respect for this man

[@latinsizer]

Ohtani wanted to be a Dodger so bad that he was willing to get paid $2 million a year, until his retirement. Ohtani is gonna make so much more money on advertising that he is not really worried at all and winning titles is his top priority.

[@jikan-tabi-1888]

The earliest and greatest x-mas gift a pro athlete has ever given to his employer since the beginning of pro sports. Ho ho ho Ohtani!

[@luismiguelmayo]

Another good job, Shohei! The contract will soon be signed. But this may mean a collapse of CBT.

[@broncoramfan]

I wonder how many future contracts will be like this? Will they be the players that bring it up or the teams?

[@Light23K]

Not many because players want money now, not later. Ken Griffey jr did it and so did Bobby Bonilla.

[@jeffgumawid7554]

I doubt it will happen to that level again, because human nature will say you need to get paid now.

[@seymoresmithh8908]

I bet NONE. Ohtani is unique and making tens of millions (50 million) per year in endorsements and will likely make even more in endorsements playing for a higher profile team like the Dodgers. He will be just fine financially even deferring most of the contract. Other players want their money ASAP.

[@broncoramfan]

@seymoresmithh8908 I can understand that. But how many higher level superstar players would do this so the team can build around them? You are still gonna get paid eventually. And if you are a superstar, you will have endorsement money to carry you into the deferred payments kick in. Only players I think wouldn't do this are mid to lower level players. Those are the ones that gonna try n squeeze everything they can while they can

[@clubeyxander5132]

@@broncoramfan Are you saying that most above average players are going to do this? If so, I'm skeptical about that. The current trend among players is not to defer. If I got you wrong, sorry!

[@user-doesick]

this man is shocking itself!!!

[@PHN-2024]

Why is that WAKANDA Warrior Lady sitting at the Sports Center Desk?

[@TheLonnie300]

I literally didn’t know you could defer over 90% of your money to the end of the deal. Let alone have anyone actually ASK for that to happen. Goes to show you can get your money and help the team I guess

[@lokchan9399]

The ultimate teammate move by Ohtani.

[@CharlieLucky24]

Ohtani and Yamamoto are in cahoots. Ohtani suggested this so Dodgers can sign Yamamoto. Yamamoto will sign with the Dodgers. His contest will also have deferral money.

[@graemewallace8868]

We expected an annual luxury tax hit of around 45m dollars (you don't simply divide the salary, you do it based on the Net Present Value divided by years of contract. Based on this deal that cap hit is going to be 46m. It would be insane to end up in a future state where you had one billion dollars committed over ten years for players not on the roster.

[@raymonddon8875]

not since bruce lee has an asian man made such a big impact on the world - much love and respect for shohei, from your big fans at mexico! bravo! bravo!

[@shintarotamai4812]

He won WBC and NPB championships , now he eager to win MLB championship.

[@christophergeorge8724]

Good decision. Ohtani thinks very wisely. He doesn't want to have big money up front. Wants to finds ways on how to invest that money and also allow other free agents to join the team.

[@Dodgers-sw2uk]

This is the most genius contract ever. After it has all been paid out in 20 years the total he will get will be over 1 billion dollars. And he did this in a way that doesn’t hurt the teams ability to spend. It’s incredible. The reason it is going to be over a billion is because he is getting around 4% interest on the deferrals. So at the end of every year the Dodgers will put 68 million dollars into an investment fund for 10 years. At the end of those 10 years the 68 million plus the collection of interest it made at 4% will go to Ohtani. The interest will be slightly over 30 million. So he will get about 100 million every year for 10 years. And the Dodgers will only have to pay 68 million of it, the investment fund pays the rest. And it only counts as 460 million against the salary cap. Ohtani must have a 200 IQ lol. Dodgers win, Ohtani wins, investors win,. Everyone wins in a deal worth 1 billion? Crazy

[@jeantarble]

Where did you see about this 4%? I didn't see anything about it. I read that it is 0 interest rate deal

[@erib7506]

​@jeantarble It is. It's been estimated now that without the interest and accounting for inflation, this comes out to more like 10/460 million when all is said and done

[@Dodgers-sw2uk]

@@jeantarble if that’s true the. The Dodgers basically got him for 460 million

[@9Desiderio]

Shows you how bad he couldn’t wait to leave Anaheim but most importantly how bad he wants to WIN. After the year 2034 he will move or reside elsewhere where it’s “Tax Friendly” for the remaining $680. Ohtani is a Smart Man.

[@maomao180]

Shohei is just built different. NA athletes need to watch and learn.

[@lahellight4337]

OHtani is the GREATEST player of all time - he's all about winning!!!

[@nan5715]

Shohei wants to win and what a gift for the dodgers

[@Jews_C0ntr0l_daa__worldd]

It feels a lil desperate and any world series will come w an asterisk

[@viking_fisherman]

Shohei wants to WIN, BABY, WIN!!!!! 😎

[@FootballSlider]

Ohtani learns the Roger Beshens football slider in May 2018, helps his pitching become elite cause of that pitch, then Ohtani and this contract, he should stop over for a Bud one day.

[@user-xt8yx4tz8x]

LeBron James…. This is what a player who truly wants to win does. He does not suck every single possible cent out and demand it NOW then complain he has no help.Ohtani just became my favorite player

[@BattleRapRob]

Is the 680mil guaranteed???if so genius move for both💯💯

[@ThomasR311]

All contracts in baseball are guaranteed..

[@WilliamPeregoy]

It's not a genius move for Shohei. It's just a very team friendly deal

[@Narikvp]

@@WilliamPeregoysounds like he’s gonna try to beat California taxes with this contract. He’ll retire after 10 years and leave USA with most of his 680 million

[@streetcar6080]

All if it is guaranteed

[@streetcar6080]

​@@NarikvpNo. Everyone working for a California corporation is required to pay California income tax. Tech companies have ways around it but not the Dodgers

[@jjones2509]

Im interested to see how this plays out

[@That1guyUlike]

Great contract for Ohtani and the dodgers. He gets paid and will still have a team around him to win. Bonus is no relocating.

[@ndradoh]

3 words. Taxes taxes taxes. If he went with what was expected $70.5 million gross a year, his taxes in the state of California he will net at 34.8 million a year. Yes I know. So he plays at 2mil plus endorsements then after the term he retires he takes his lumpsum back to Japan or claims residency in Florida where there is no state income taxes. He's rich he's worth a billion and has smart people like myself working for him.

[@clubeyxander5132]

So you're saying it's basically tax evasion? Then why hadn't anyone else done it to this degree?

[@manjidrift]

Why should ohtani pay for the American military or American debt....

[@ndradoh]

@@manjidrift there you go.

[@doughboyu20]

@ndradoh so with your genius are you going to advise him to call JG Wenthworth…you know since after year 10 he is receiving the deferred salary as an annuity NOT a lump sum 😅

[@king_supreme1102]

Mad respect. More Stars would do this if they cared about winning over greed.

[@justified004]

As great as this is for the team, I'm curious to see how this impacts future contracts. I bet the union isnt too happy about such a deal either because, while he is getting his money, it takes a lot of pressure off the owners. $70M a year would be a game changer today but to defer that much money for so many years changes things. Not to mention I hope he actually get that money. This is uncharted territory and thats a lot of money to pay out later, while strapping the team later. The CBA expires in 2026 and this will definitely come up in negotiations.

[@Jizzlepapi_OVO]

The way those taxes are in LA, the guy is a genius

[@Ainlore]

I feel sorry for all those gold digger that want to target 700M man 😂

[@justjanine]

They still after it, man 😂

[@MRH7887]

They will all swarm him like flies on 💩 on his final year with Dodgers 😂

[@BillKapriII244]

Im sick to my stomach -Giants fan

[@doughboyu20]

😂 love it!!!

[@jayhernandez6370]

“Money today is more money worth tomorrow…”

[@Oisgh679]

Jet always a great listen. I’d say he’d be good out on his own, has the personality for it

[@red23rd]

Now let's get Yamamoto, let's goo!!!

[@Mekias]

It'll be interesting to see how this plays out 10 years down the road. Will having to pay $68 million a year affect the future Dodgers team in any way? I think it would absolutely affect most teams. My Mariners would certainly cry poverty and cut the team's payroll in half but I think the Dodgers might have enough revenue so that it doesn't hurt them at all.

[@corywhite6098]

I ask the same question. Nobody is talking about what this does in the long term to the organization after he and most certainly the rest of the current team is gone

[@clubeyxander5132]

If the Dodgers don't betray or backstab Shohei in any way in the next ten years, I think it's reasonable to assume that Ohtani has plans to redistribute his deferred fortunes some way or the other in the future. It takes character to defer 98% of your salary. A man with such character will most likely use his deferred money in ways that won't hurt the team.

[@anthonyfam5469]

They would probably renegotiate in 10 years and ohtani will probably make more money … they might push it to 15 years and add more money

[@user-mg7xc9wo6l]

I disagree, I don't see why deferrals would impact teams if they're able to afford the AAV. If the dodgers get charged $46M AAV per year for ohtani's salary, that goes towards their luxury tax threshold each year for only the first 10 years. After 10 years, ohtani's salary no longer goes towards that threshold. for the deferral payments of $68M, the dodgers can just put the $44M per year ($46M AAV minus $2M) that they don't have to pay now in an interest bearing account, and they should have the $68M per year to pay ohtani in the future.

[@mirikaku5811]

Buha.. you poverty stricken minds!! By those ten years later Ohtani would bring in all that money in marketing money to the team, ending up paying his own salary!!

[@tyronhanberry3024]

What a boss way to keep California and the Feds out of your pockets. Those crooks would have hit him for $35,091,393 in taxes per year, reducing his take home by more than 50%. I don't care who you are no one deserves that much of someone else's honestly, hard or easily earned money. The key is that he is being paid what his resume and body of work deemed he is worth to that team. Congrats🎉

[@isaacnewton3514]

Surely this is terrible precedent set in Baseball?

[@DaveTheTurd]

Pure BS. This should be outlawed.

[@isaiahbonds8730]

Yamamoto will be the next men to go the dodgers believe that.

[@zhoubaidinh403]

Depends if he's sufficiently secured the past three or five years with his income in Japan....

[@merrittpalmer4349]

"I would love to see Shohei dance" lol did anyone else catch that

[@justmyopinion8395]

There has to be under the table deal to turn that deferred money into an equity stake after he retires.

[@doughboyu20]

Not necessarily “under the table” but rather a legitimate option contract would be my guess

[@justinsoegandi]

Does that mean that in year 10 he makes $682M and the dodgers take a $682 cap hit in year 10?

[@BeefPapa]

No. Dodgers take a 46M hit per year for the next 10 years.

[@mojojo603]

Or could be replacement payment such as stock...

[@TheGreyCrayon]

No, It’ll be deferred for for 10 years after his contract expires, and he most likely retires. So he’ll be making $68 Million once he’s retired.

[@DW-op7ly]

Speculation is he will convert that money owed into ownership shares

[@justinsoegandi]

@@BeefPapa so $46/year x 10 years. $460 total. What about the other $240m. Is that - $240M lump sum payment after year 10?

[@spoogtastic]

The idea this is legal in baseball is insane. Makes you able to get such a loaded team at the moment. Smh

[@islandrepublic9166]

Why not. This is a one off. Seriously. I dont know anyone in their right mind that woyld takea 90 percent haircut unless you get this tyoe of deferment. I knew that 700 mil was going to be backloaded.

[@jlien25]

He or his loved ones will get all of the $700M. Still I would have deferred half. Wow

[@latinsizer]

The player has to be willing to do it and not every top player would put winning titles above getting paid. Ohtani knows legacy is bigger than money.

[@clubeyxander5132]

I'm surprised by the human ability to find fault in anything. The largest that any player inMLB has deferred in the past is probably Freddie Freeman, and that was $57m out of $162m, which is 35% of the deal. Manny Ramirez deferred 20%, but others have deferred less than 10%, and players are becoming more cautious to deferring in recent years. Compare that with Ohtani's deferring $680m out of $700m, a 98% discount! Do you really think other players will take the same kind of deal from now on? You should be praising Shohei's character rather than saying his contract shouldering be legal. This kind of deal would've never been signed if not the Dodgers had shown complete trust and dedication towards Ohtani since he was a high schooler in Japan. Of course, the fact that Ohtani spends only few hundred dollars a month is also a contributing factor...

[@nala3038]

That's like winning the lottery and collecting each year rather than lump sum.

[@robertmadrigal6783]

it's criminal to every other team 8n base. ridiculous