Shohei Ohtani’s shiny new $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers sounds jaw-dropping at first, but the two-way superstar will be paying astronomical taxes over the duration of the contract.
The 29-year-old Ohtani will be paying around $300 million in total taxes on the record-setting contract over the next decade. His salary on paper reads $70 million per season, but Ohtani’s net income will actually be $33.6 million.
Baseball fans were absolutely stunned to learn just how much Ohtani will have to pay in taxes:
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Ohtani’s $700 million deal is the richest ever in the history of professional sports. Soccer legend Lionel Messi previously held the record on a four-year deal with FC Barcelona worth $674 million USD.
Los Angeles Angels superstar Mike Trout, Ohtani’s former teammate, previously held the record for baseball’s richest contract: A 12-year deal worth $426.5 million.
Of course, Ohtani will be making plenty more in sponsorships off the field. Playing in the massive Los Angeles market, the sky’s the limit as far as his bank account goes.
