The Los Angeles Dodgers will introduce Shohei Ohtani during a press conference in the center field plaza of Dodger Stadium at 3 p.m. PT on Thursday afternoon (8 a.m. in Japan).
Nearly 300 media members are expected to attend, and about two-thirds will be from Japanese outlets. The event is not open to the public.
Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis will serve as master of ceremonies, and president and CEO Stan Kasten, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, and manager Dave Roberts are expected to speak as well.
The Dodgers signed Ohtani to a record-setting 10-year, $700 million contract that includes unprecedented deferrals. The two-way star will earn only $20 million during the life of the contract and the remaining $680 million from 2034-2043.
The unique structure was presented by Ohtani, who reportedly sought assurances from the Dodgers that they would use the savings to build the most competitive team each season.
Ohtani’s top priority is winning multiple World Series, which he relayed to Dodgers fans in his initial comments since joining the team. “Dodger fans, thank you for welcoming me to your team,” Ohtani said in a statement.
“I can say 100 percent that you, the Dodger organization and I share the same goal – to bring World Series parades to the streets of Los Angeles.”
Ohtani has been at Dodger Stadium often this month. He met with Dodgers officials prior to the Winter Meetings and is believed to have been part of the team’s free agency pitch to Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
How to watch Shohei Ohtani press conference
Ohtani’s introductory press conference with the Dodgers will be televised by SportsNet LA. MLB Network is also hosting a live show of “MLB Tonight” from Dodger Stadium, with Greg Amsinger and Harold Reynolds providing on-site coverage.
Fans can additionally watch a live stream of Ohtani’s press conference on MLB’s YouTube channel.
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