• by Tanya Gazdik , March 18, 2025

Major League Baseball opened its season today in Tokyo, and Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is fast becoming a global superstar

“Ohtani, 30, is a marketer’s dream — a sports icon, pop star and national hero rolled into one,” according to The New York Times. “As the Dodgers made their way to Japan ahead of a pair of games with the Cubs on Tuesday and Wednesday, news programs tracked the team’s charter flight across the Pacific Ocean, and fans speculated about whether Ohtani had brought his spaniel, Decoy. Talk shows dissected Ohtani’s diet, fashion choices and home décor, as well as his wife’s hobbies.”

Last season he signed a record $700 million contract and helped the Dodgers win the World Series. Tickets to his games in Japan are going for as much as $10,000. 

“In sports, money often follows success, and Ohtani’s success has created a windfall for himself, the Dodgers and the league,” per the Times. “Ohtani has about 20 active sponsorship deals at any time, like with the Japanese drugmaker Kowa and with New Balance, and the value of his deals spiked after he joined the Dodgers last season following six years with the Los Angeles Angels.”

Ohtani is one of six MLB players with an extra special marketing deal. 

“Rather than sporting the normal Major League Baseball patch on the back of his jersey, Ohtani's is gold thanks to a collaboration with MLB, Topps, Fanatics, and Nike,” according to Sports Illustrated. “Ohtani was the first to wear his new patch when the Dodgers took on the Yomiuri Giants at the Tokyo Dome on Saturday.”

Merchandise featuring the star is prompting long lines in Tokyo, even in the rain. 

“He’s also producing off the field, the marquee name at a sprawling souvenir store that fills an exhibition hall in the Tokyo Dome complex,” according to The Associated Press. “MLB calls the setup its 'largest ever special-event store.' … The souvenir shop illustrates that Ohtani might be intensifying the worldwide interest in baseball. At the very high end, the store offers Dodgers white or blue jersey for about 75,000 yen — about $500. There are also other styles of Cubs and Dodgers jerseys for a bit less — about 25,000 yen — about $170.”

The baseball player joined NBA icon LeBron James and MLS superstar Lionel Messi for Powerbeats Pro 2 Launch. 

“The Apple-owned audio brand Beats is turning to a trio of GOATs to help it launch its latest product, in an ad voiced by RZA,” according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Not only are the three athletes the best at their respective sports, but they also hail from completely different parts of the world. LeBron hails from Ohio, Messi is a hero in his native Argentina, and Ohtani is one of the biggest stars to ever come out of Japan.”

Though the game was close, the Dodgers beat the Cubs in a  4-1 victory.