Two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani made headlines for his groundbreaking contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Still, away from the diamond, he quietly assembled an endorsement portfolio that stretches across continents and industries. While most fans are familiar with his partnerships with global sports brands, Ohtani’s earnings have a lesser-known side, reflecting his international appeal and business acumen.
With a record $700 million contract signed over 10 years—with $680 million deferred until 2034—Ohtani’s salary structure became a focal point for financial discussion among fans and analysts. The deferred structure of Ohtani’s Dodgers contract gives Los Angeles payroll flexibility while yielding massive long-term security for the player. Ohtani receives only $2 million a year in base salary until 2033, which makes endorsements especially crucial during his playing prime.
That innovative deal is only part of the story. Major League Baseball’s shifting revenue streams have seen top players increasingly command large off-field sums. In Ohtani’s case, annual endorsement estimates reach as high as $50 million, outpacing MLB peers and nearly every athlete worldwide. Ohtani’s off-field brand is thriving, built on mainstream marketing relationships and enticements from companies seeking a bridge to Japanese consumers, American baseball followers, and global audiences.
Endorsements Beyond the Obvious
Mainstream fans quickly recognize Ohtani’s work with Nike and New Era, but some of his most lucrative deals are well outside North America’s general baseball awareness.
Among Ohtani’s surprising choices is a partnership with GungHo Online Entertainment, a leading Japanese mobile gaming company. Few North American fans realize this collaboration, as Ohtani’s likeness most often appears in Japan-based sports-themed games, online pokies, pachinko, and collectible digital assets. The association extends its appeal to a younger, tech-savvy demographic. The partnership lasted one year and reportedly paid Ohtani $500,000. Though not the most significant sum on his endorsement ledger, the deal points to his willingness to diversify and connect with emerging industries, especially in the digital gaming segment.
Ohtani serves as the global face for Seiko, the venerable Japanese watch brand. Luxury watches rarely feature baseball players, but Seiko signed Ohtani to multiyear terms with annual payments reportedly in the low seven figures. The partnership leverages his reputation for precision and reliability, appearing in Japanese campaigns and across social media channels for international audiences. They even released a limited edition watch in Los Angeles Dodgers colors.
Panasonic, a household electronics giant, inked a similar agreement with Ohtani, focusing on emerging technology and appliances for the Japanese market. Ohtani has starred in commercials highlighting AI-powered cooking devices. While Panasonic does not publicize endorsement numbers, industry observers estimate his compensation exceeds $1 million annually and includes equity incentives tied to product launches in the United States.
Ohtani’s reach extends beyond consumer goods. He became an ambassador for Descente, a sports apparel company with niche appeal outside Asia. The contract reportedly includes performance bonuses tied to apparel sales metrics and limited-edition Ohtani-design merchandise. Sales spikes in 2022 and 2023 hinted at the tangible value of his marketing power, with Descente attributing double-digit growth in North American online revenue to his partnership.
Insurance is another sector that took an unconventional approach. Sompo Japan Insurance enlisted Ohtani to lead campaigns directed at younger consumers. The deal, which paid close to $2 million annually, focused on leveraging his public image and athletic discipline to reshape industry perceptions in Japan and Japanese-American communities in California and New York.
Pharmaceuticals also attracted Ohtani’s attention. He agreed to be the face of Asahi Kasei’s sports medicine technology, mixing upfront payments with incentives based on usage data and outreach performance. Panels and virtual seminars with young athletes broadened campaign visibility beyond television and print, and financial filings show his initial guarantee was just under $1 million, with bonuses climbing each quarter.
Surprising Choices and Cross-Border Approach
Ohtani also entered high-end food endorsements, working with Mizkan, a major Japanese vinegar and condiment maker. American baseball fans generally do not associate their heroes with cooking. Still, Ohtani’s campaigns with Mizkan appeared across Japan and in localized web channels aimed at Asian-American homes in California. Financial disclosures pointed to a package of $700,000 yearly plus performance bonuses based on digital engagement.
Cultural impact is a recurring theme. Ohtani’s partnership with JAL (Japan Airlines) featured commercial appearances, airport signage, and brand integration targeting the broader Japanese diaspora in Southern California and the Pacific Northwest. JAL’s five-year agreement with Ohtani reportedly exceeded $8 million in guaranteed payments, with bonuses tied to increases in LAX-to-Tokyo traffic during Dodgers game weekends.
A Technological Edge
Tech startups are drawn to Ohtani’s forward-facing persona. In mid-2025, Ohtani made headlines with a multi-year deal with Nuro, an autonomous vehicle delivery company seeking local partnerships in Irvine and Los Angeles. The contract included equity and a modest $300,000 annual retainer. Nuro prototypes featured promotional artwork with Dodgers branding. While this endorsement did not have national TV reach, it reflects a growing trend in athlete sponsorships—aligning with startups, not just established multinationals.
Dodger-Made Opportunities
Ohtani’s move to Los Angeles unlocked opportunities with U.S.-based brands. Local apparel outfit Undefeated secured a short-term deal for a one-off Ohtani Dodgers collection, with proceeds benefiting Southern California youth baseball programs. Ohtani’s cut was estimated at $250,000 plus a share of merchandise sales, a structure maximizing community impact while broadening the brand’s reach among Dodger fans.
Endorsement Dynamics and Future Prospects
As Ohtani’s Dodgers career unfolds, the blend of deferred salary and growing endorsement revenue provides unique leverage. Major League Baseball’s international expansion means a transcultural figure like Ohtani is positioned to command increasing attention from brands in established and emerging markets. His financial footprint is partially visible to the average fan, and off-field deals often outpace on-field income—a dynamic rarely seen in baseball’s modern era.
Ohtani’s approach exemplifies sports marketing’s evolution. He built a portfolio as diverse as his on-field skills by targeting niche Japanese brands and ambitious American startups. While his record-setting contract remains a topic of celebration and debate, Ohtani’s endorsement deals reveal a player keenly aware of his global appeal and the rapidly changing landscape of athlete marketing.
Ohtani continues to negotiate new partnerships, often with terms supporting long-term growth and flexibility rather than simple short-term returns. Whether in Los Angeles, Tokyo, or online, fans will watch as new facets of his brand evolve well beyond the playing field. His endorsements highlight commercial success and the possibility for internationality in baseball marketing, leaving the door open for future innovations and a broader definition of athlete stardom.
