Shohei Ohtani’s Dodgers jersey sets new sales record, surpassing Lionel Messi
December 14, 2023
Shohei Ohtani, who recently signed the richest deal ever in sports, has broken another record as his No. 17 Dodgers jersey achieved the highest sales within 48 hours of release.
New sales record: According to retail company Fanatics, Ohtani’s sales surpassed the previous record held by soccer player Lionel Messi. Notably, Ohtani‘s jersey also outperformed those of other notable athletes such as soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo, NFL quarterback Justin Fields and baseball outfielder Bryce Harper.
Ohtani’s historic contract: Ohtani’s record-breaking jersey sales with the Los Angeles Dodgers comes shortly after he joined the major-market team on Sunday. As Ohtani prepares for his introductory press conference with the Dodgers on Thursday, fans are eagerly wearing his No. 17 jersey, marking another milestone in the international superstar’s career.
The MLB two-way superstar, who previously played with the Los Angeles Angels, signed a historic 10-year, $700 million contract. Ohtani accepted the groundbreaking contract over the weekend, surpassing the prior most lucrative deal by nearly $300 million, which was held by his former teammate Mike Trout’s $426 million contract.
Strengthening the team: Ohtani’s addition to the Dodgers, despite being unable to pitch this year due to elbow surgery, enhances the team’s World Series contender status.
Ohtani’s significant contract deferral, allowing the front office to add more talent, suggests that the Dodgers may continue making impactful moves in the offseason, likely leading to increased jersey sales as fans anticipate further success and acquisitions.
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