Who is Shohei Ohtani? Meet the athlete who earns more from endorsements than Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo & Tyson Fury

The Baseball player pockets more than both the legendary footballers

Japanese baseball star Shohei Ohtani, who is well-known throughout the world for his exceptional dual-threat skills as a strong pitcher and a potent batter, receives more endorsement money than Tyson Fury, LeBron James, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo combined.

Major League Baseball (MLB) officials have confirmed that Shohei Ohtani will make his much-awaited comeback to the mound as the opening pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first game of a four-game series against the visiting San Diego Padres.

Ohtani has revolutionised the current baseball player and is well-known throughout the world for his exceptional dual-threat skills as a dominant pitcher and a potent batter. He was born in Oshu, Japan, on July 5, 1994, and made his Major League Baseball debut with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018.

He immediately rose to prominence as one of the sport’s most compelling talents, enthralling spectators with his exceptional skill on both sides of the field.

Shohei Ohtani is the highest-paid player in baseball history

Ohtani agreed to a historic 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024; at the time, it was the biggest deal in professional sports history.

Despite missing the 2024 and 2025 seasons due to Tommy John surgery in September 2023, Ohtani maintained his offensive prowess. He demonstrated his tenacity and adaptability by leading the National League in 2024 with 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases.

With a cumulative salary of $102.5 million, Ohtani is one of the highest-paid athletes in the world, according to Forbes’ list of the World’s 50 Highest-Paid Athletes.

It’s astounding that he only makes $2.5 million on the field, but $100 million of this comes from endorsements. Stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, whose primary source of revenue is playing contracts, stand in sharp contrast to this.

Ronaldo tops the list with $275 million in total income, mostly from his $50 million in endorsement deals and $225 million on-field compensation. Thanks in part to $100 million in sponsorships, Stephen Curry comes in second with $156 million.

With $146 million, primarily from his bouts, boxer Tyson Fury comes in third. NFL quarterback Dak Prescott and soccer great Lionel Messi, who made $135 million from a robust sponsorship portfolio, are two more well-known athletes.

Ohtani has become a marketing powerhouse because of his widespread appeal. In 2025, his $100 million endorsement income will be more than that of Tyson Fury, LeBron James, Messi, and Ronaldo combined.

He collaborates with around 20 well-known companies, such as Mitsubishi Bank, Seiko, Porsche Japan, and New Balance. The Dodgers also benefited from his popularity, as his presence brought in roughly $70 million in extra income from Japanese sponsorships.

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