Shohei Ohtani Signs Unique $700 Million Contract with Dodgers, Spreading Payments Over 20 Years
Shohei Ohtani, the superstar two-way player, has inked a groundbreaking deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, ensuring his place on their payroll for the next 20 years. The unprecedented 10-year, $700 million contract, signed in December, will see Ohtani receive $2 million annually for the next decade. The remaining $680 million will be paid out in $68 million installments each July 1 from 2034 to 2043.
Before finalizing the contract, Ohtani sat down with GQ Japan in November. The interview, published on Saturday, revealed his aspirations to play baseball well into his late 30s or early 40s. “I want to still be playing baseball when I’m 39 or 40 years old. If possible, I’d like to stay active (laughs). Of course, the day will come when I will retire, but when that time comes, I want to continue to love baseball. Ideally, I would love baseball and not feel like I hate it or want to quit,” Ohtani shared.
This revelation is likely to be well-received by Dodgers fans and may quell any concerns critics had about the contract’s extended length being a tactic to minimize its immediate impact on the team’s payroll.
The GQ Japan interview also delved into more personal aspects of Ohtani’s life, including his dog, his health, and his deep-rooted connection to baseball from a young age.
The story was reported by J.P. Hoornstra, a prominent MLB writer for Inside the Dodgers and author of ‘The 50 Greatest Dodger Games Of All Time.’
