Is Shohei Ohtani the highest paid player in baseball? Yearly earnings, endorsements and more

Shohei Ohtani has quickly become the biggest star in baseball and is regarded as the most thrilling player to watch. The 2021 American League MVP has already won numerous awards, making him one of the most successful players in the league. But the question remains: does success translate into financial rewards? The answer is a resounding yes, as Ohtani is now the highest-paid player in baseball.

Shohei Ohtani’s estimated earnings for 2023

For the 2023 season, Forbes magazine estimates that Ohtani will earn a total of $65 million before taxes and agent fees. This amount includes a one-year, $30 million contract extension he signed in October, which accounts for over half of his total earnings. Additionally, Ohtani is a successful businessman off the field, earning at least $35 million in sponsorship deals annually. This is a massive increase from the $6 million he earned in endorsements in 2021.

Shohei Ohtani is expected to earn a whopping $65 million throughout 2023

Ohtani’s popularity in both the United States and Japan has led to his financial success. He has partnerships with major brands like Seiko Watch and Boss in Japan, as well asFanatics and Topps in the U.S. Recently, Ohtani has added deals with Japanese cosmetics company Kose and Boston-based apparel brand New Balance. Ohtani is not only New Balance’s latest brand ambassador, but the company also plans to create a global lifestyle footwear collection featuring the star player.

While Shohei Ohtani is the highest-paid player in the league, he is not the only player to have hit it out of the park financially. Forbes reported that the ten highest-paid players in the MLB are set to collect a combined $436 million in 2023, up 15% from last year's all-time high of $377 million. This surge in player spending is the result of an offseason marked by record-breaking contracts, including Judge’s nine-year, $360 million deal and Correa’s six-year, $200 million pact.

Shohei Ohtani is expected to be the first player in MLB history to reach the $500 million mark. His current contract with the LA Angels is expected to be finalized by the end of the 2023 season. It remains to be seen if Ohtani will stay in Los Angeles or move to another market, where more than one team will be vying to add him to their roster. Regardless, Ohtani’s success on and off the field has solidified his place as a baseball legend and a financial powerhouse.