'LAD, Ohtani earned 1.56 trillion won' Professor of Economics must have recovered 10 years' worth of investment at once
Oct 08, 2024
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According to a survey conducted by Katsuhiro Miyamoto, professor emeritus of economics at Kansai University, Kyodo News on the 8th (Korea time), the economic benefits that the Dodgers earned from Shohei Ohtani this year amounted to 116.8 billion yen and $783 million (about 1.56 trillion won). This number combines ticket sales, advertising and broadcast ticket sales, more than double the 50.4 billion yen earned by the Los Angeles Angels in the same survey last year, the report said.
The Dodgers signed a 10-year, $700 million FA contract in December last year, the largest single contract in the history of professional sports not only in the major leagues but also around the world, and recruited Ohtani.
However, $680 million, or 97.1% of the total, is considered to be worth about $460 million as a "present price" with a provision of deferrals that is distributed over 10 years from 2034 to 2043, after the contract period. Even this amount is the highest in Major League history.
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Even the best superstars embroidered with history, such as New York Yankees Babe Ruth in the 1920s, New York Giants Willie Mays and Yankees Mickey Mantle in the 1950s and 1960s, San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds in the 1990s, and Alex Rodriguez in the 2000s, have never brought such sales effects to the club. Ichiro Suzuki, who conquered the Major League for the first time as a Japanese batter, was not this bad.
The reason why the Dodgers brought Ohtani is because of such economic effects and achievement of the championship through maximizing power. The same is true of why Ohtani chose the Dodgers. The intention is to build money and honor in the Dodgers and enjoy the honor of winning the championship.
Ohtani has established himself as a major league player 'icon', building historic feats with the Angels since 2021, when he has already begun his dual pitching career. It is not unreasonable to say that the Dodgers are taking the derivative effect of the already completed 'product'. However, since he did not take the mound as a pitcher this season, there is an aspect that the history of XINHWA has been suspended.
However, Ohtani only played as a batter and achieved a record of no less value than a combined pitching and hitting. He engraved his name on the first 50-50 club ever. He hit 0.310 (197 hits in 636 at-bats), 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, 134 runs, 81 walks, 59 steals, 0.390 on-base percentage, 0.646, OPS 1.036, OPS+ 190, 411 hits, bWAR 9.2, fWAR 9.1, and wRC+ 181. It hit career highs in almost every category.
The National League MVP has virtually been confirmed, and it is only a matter of interest whether it is unanimous. Ohtani received first-place votes from all 30 voting groups when he was named the 2021 and 2023 American League MVP. This time, it is evaluated only as a batter, so unanimous agreement may fail. However, local media have made a series of claims that Ohtani should be unanimously named MVP.
Meanwhile, Ohtani was listed as 10 National League candidates for the Hank Aaron Award. Unless something unexpected happens, Ohtani will win the award for the second consecutive year following last year.
jhno@sportschosun.com
