The Dodgers’ investment in Shohei Ohtani is already paying off in terms of on-field success. The Dodgers are headed back to their second consecutive World Series thanks to a mind-boggling three-home run, six scoreless innings pitched performance from the two-way star.<\/p>\n
However, the lofty Ohtani contract has already been paid off thanks to ticket sales, merchandise and marketing deals in Japan and around the globe, according to reporter Joon Lee<\/a>.<\/p>\n Shohei Ohtani\u2019s 10-year, $700 million contract is enormous, but according to sources, the Dodgers made back the entirety of the contract in Ohtani\u2019s first season in tickets, marketing deals in Japan\/global, merchandise.<\/p>\n His impact on baseball\u2019s growth cannot be understated.<\/p>\n \u2014 Joon Lee (@joonlee) October 18, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n More news: Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Has Clear Message on Shohei Ohtani’s NLCS Game 4 Performance<\/a><\/p>\n The Dodgers made major corporate partnership deals with several Japanese companies following the signings of Ohtani and starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, partnering with companies such as JTB, Kose and All Nippon Airways among others.<\/p>\n Making back $700 million over the course of less than two seasons is no small feat. Lee explained in detail just how the Dodgers got in the green after signing what was at the time the most expensive contract in MLB history.<\/p>\n More news: Dodgers’ Michael Conforto Breaks Silence on Being Snubbed From LA’s Postseason Run<\/a><\/p>\n “The Dodgers made $750 million in 2024, but I think that underplays the impact that Ohtani is actually having on the team’s financial situation,” Lee said in a video posted to X<\/a>. “First, it’s hard to understate how enourmous of a celebrity Ohtani is in Japan. He’s covered like the president of the country. […] and that translates to the number of fans that now come to Dodger Stadium straight from Japan.”<\/p>\n Lee cited an article from The Wall Street Journal<\/a> that noted tourism from Japan to Los Angeles is up nearly 90 percent since Ohtani signed with the Dodgers. <\/p>\n In addition to the influx of new fans, the Dodgers have received more attention from major brands who want to be affiliated with the most dynamic player in the game.<\/p>\n “A lot of brands, both Japanese and not, want to be around the Ohtani effect,” Lee said. “And while there’s a lot of great players in baseball, there’s only one Shohei Ohtani and that means there’s a massive premium to advertising with the Dodgers.”<\/p>\n The Dodgers have proven over the past few seasons that spending money on big players works on the field, with a pair of World Series rings and possibly one more on the way to prove it. However, with Ohtani, their investment has transcended his impact on the diamond.<\/p>\n For more Dodgers news, head over to\u00a0Dodgers on SI.<\/a><\/p>\n