How Shohei Ohtani & Japanese Sponsors Are Funding the Dodgers’ Dynasty

Mar 24, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) on deck in the fourth against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

And in exchange, the Dodgers have secured millions of dollars to help strengthen the roster and improve Dodger Stadium. According to reports, the five-year deal is worth $125 million.

Mike Mazzeo of the Sports Business Journal said late in 2025 — before the Uniqlo deal was announced — that the Dodgers had 20 Japanese sponsors such as Hakkaisan Brewery and Ito En.

That season, the Dodgers became the first North American sports team to pass $200 million in annual sponsorship revenue, which comes in handy when putting together one of the most expensive rosters in the sport.

After all, the contract for Ohtani alone is $700 million, though much of that is deferred.

Ohtani, Dodgers in mutually beneficial agreement

With those contract deferrals, the Dodgers get to feature Ohtani, perhaps the greatest player in the sport’s history, for $2 million per year while using the rest of their money to build a championship team around him.

Two World Series titles in a row (and possibly a third on the way) indicate that strategy is working.

While Ohtani waits for 2034, when he’s due $68 million per year for a decade, he’s taking advantage of his success on the field, smashing records while earning as much as $125 million per year in endorsements.

So if you’re at Dodger Stadium Monday night, enjoy the food, music and other touches of Japanese culture in Chavez Ravine. That connection is a huge part of the Dodgers’ success on and off the field.