Los Angeles has a new king, and his name is Shohei Ohtani. The Japanese baseball superstar isn’t just smashing home runs for the Dodgers; he’s smashing financial records too.
In just his first season, Ohtani generated $70 million in new sponsorship revenue, thanks to a wave of Japanese brands eager to attach their names to L.A.’s hottest athlete.
Ohtani’s Japan Impact: What it means for L.A. business
When Ohtani signed his historic $700 million deal with the Dodgers, the impact went beyond baseball. Within months, the team landed 12 new Japan-based sponsorships, ranging from major corporations to brands previously unseen in MLB stadiums.
And it’s not just the Dodgers cashing in. Local L.A. businesses in areas like Little Tokyo are seeing more international visitors, increased merchandise sales, and a growing connection between Los Angeles and Japan.
Little Tokyo, one of the most popular areas
For Angelenos, this means more than just extra cash for the Dodgers. Ohtani’s presence is transforming the city’s sports culture, economy, and even advertising landscape, turning him into a financial powerhouse unlike anything baseball has seen before.
Even Dodger Stadium itself has changed. Japanese advertising banners, once rare in U.S. ballparks, are now everywhere, as brands want to be seen next to Ohtani.
Visiting teams are also profiting, with stadiums across the country attracting millions in Japanese sponsorships whenever the Dodgers come to town.
How Ohtani is changing the culture of the Dodgers
Dodgers fans are enjoying Ohtani’s run so far not only on the field but off the field as well. For Angelenos, Ohtani’s financial impact means:
- 💰 Bigger investments in the Dodgers’ roster, more superstars, like Roki Sasaki, arriving.
- 🌟 A global spotlight on L.A. as the center of baseball’s international growth.
- 🎌 More Japanese brands and culture influencing local businesses and events.
Ohtani isn’t just the face of baseball, he’s changing the business of sports in Los Angeles and beyond.