Shohei Ohtani became only the fourth athlete in sports history to earn $100 million in endorsements in a single year, according to data from Sportico, which tracks athlete earnings, contracts and endorsement income.
The total is roughly 10 times higher than the previous endorsement ceiling for Major League Baseball players, whose off-field earnings historically peaked at about $10 million annually even among the sport’s most recognizable names, including Derek Jeter and Ichiro Suzuki. The 31-year-old Los Angeles Dodgers star joins Tiger Woods, Roger Federer and Stephen Curry as the only athletes to reach the mark.
Milestone year in income: Under the terms of the 10-year, $700 million contract he signed with the Dodgers in December 2023, Ohtani earned a $2 million salary during the 2025 season. All but $20 million of the deal is deferred and scheduled to be paid from 2034 through 2043. As a result, endorsements made up the vast majority of the reigning MVP’s estimated $102 million in total earnings for the year.
Expanding brand portfolio: Sportico reported that the Japanese-born slugger and pitcher has at least 20 endorsement partners across apparel, collectibles, consumer electronics and food and beverage, including New Balance, Fanatics, Beats by Dre, Ito En and Panasonic. During the 2025 season, when the Dodgers won the World Series, he added about six new endorsement partners, including Epic Games, which made him the first active MLB player to appear in the video game “Fortnite.” Sportico also noted his prominent advertising presence during the Dodgers’ season-opening series in Japan.
In 2021, ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith questioned Ohtani’s marketability on “First Take,” arguing that his reliance on an interpreter limited his appeal to U.S. audiences. The comments were widely criticized at the time, and Smith later issued a public apology.
Vikings’ Paul Allen Announces Break From KFAN After ICE Protest Backlash
Amid calls to resign after a comment made about the ongoing ICE protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen broke his silence over the weekend.
On Friday, January 23, Thousands of protestors participated in a demonstration in downtown Minneapolis in response to the recent killing of Renee Good and the ongoing ICE operations in the state. Allen made a flippant comment during his radio show on KFAN FM 100.3, asking, “Do paid protesters get hazard pay,” regarding the frigid temperatures that day. Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal officers a day later.
The comment sparked considerable backlash over the weekend as Vikings fans, listeners and Minnesotans at large called for his resignation over social media. The Vikings and KFAN were subject to messages calling for his firing as well.
Emerging from the weekend for his daily morning show on Monday, January 26, Allen announced he would be off the airwaves for “a few days” in a pre-recorded statement played during a commercial break.
“I am taking a few days off but wanted to express these thoughts and my sincere apology with you before I do,” Allen told fans to close an apology he made on air.
Voice of Vikings Paul Allen’s Apology for Mocking Minneapolis ICE Protestors
Before stepping away, Allen opened his show with the following apology:
Audio Player
Good morning. I made a comment on Air Friday about protesters and the weather that was insensitive and poorly timed and I’m sorry. It was a misguided attempt at humor and while it was never met with any ill intent or political affront, I absolutely and wholeheartedly want to apologize to those who genuinely were hurt or offended by it.
Nine to Noon doesn’t formulate political opinions, we don’t bash or praise political discussions or even focus on political issues. This time slot always has been a sports-centered space built to entertain, a place where we chat about sports, offer an escape from the heavy stuff and give listeners the distraction they need from everything else going on. As I’ve stated many times before, we serve you, not the other way around.
We’re very fortunate and thank you for counting on us as long as you have. It means more than you’ll ever know. My best was lacking Friday and for that I am sorry.
Allen’s apology received mixed reactions. Some fans questioned the sincerity in the tone of his voice.
“He sounded like a hostage being forced to read a statement. Completely insincere,” one wrote on X.
“What you heard in his voice was *fear*. 100% self-interested fear,” a second X user wrote.
However, another listener felt it was a well-intentioned apology.
“It is clear in his voice, his sincerity and obviously he’s remorseful,” they wrote. “Whatever it was he said, must’ve been extremely inappropriate. Hopefully he will be forgiven by his listeners.”
KFAN Boycott Emerges Among Vikings Fans
Whether Allen is taking an official leave of absence or it’s merely time off, Vikings fans on Reddit have taken matters into their own hands.
A Reddit user on r/minnesotavikings made a post sharing his boycott of KFAN until “Allen is removed.” It is the top post on the Subreddit, garnering over 300 comments in four hours on Monday.
“I understand not everyone feels this strongly and that’s perfectly okay,” the user wrote. However, if you are upset by the comments PA made I strongly encourage you to make your voice heard. The only way PA will face any consequences is by pressuring his employer to do something.”