Shohei Ohtani’s Record Earnings and the Future of MLB Salaries
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is reshaping the financial landscape of Major League Baseball. The two-time World Series champion is projected to earn approximately $127 million before taxes and agency fees in 2026, setting a new record for a baseball player. A significant portion of this income, around $125 million, is expected to come from endorsements, licensing, memorabilia sales, and other commercial ventures.
Ohtani’s Earning Power
Ohtani is being likened to Babe Ruth, a record-holder in Major League Baseball and one of the most popular players in history.
“Seheya Otaani is called Babe Ruth (the record holder of Major League Baseball and one of the most popular players in history — Forbes Sport) of the 21st century. The Japanese player has won his second consecutive World Series championship ring and another MVP award. He has turn into only the second player in the history of Major League Baseball to receive this award three years in a row.”
He has secured partnerships with numerous sponsors in both the United States and Japan, including Fanatics and New Balance, which has even launched a signature shoe line for him. Japan Airlines features a specially painted “Dream Sho Jet” aircraft, and Kowa promotes its pain relief patches and Syncron sports drinks using Ohtani’s image.
MLB’s Rising Payrolls
In addition to his off-field earnings, Ohtani will receive $2 million directly from the Dodgers this season and is slated to earn $68 million over the next decade as part of his ten-year, $700 million contract signed with Los Angeles before the 2024 season. This puts him well ahead of the second-highest paid MLB player, New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger, who is expected to earn around $56.5 million.
The ten highest-paid players in MLB are projected to earn a combined $537 million in 2026, the second-highest total since Forbes began tracking baseball player earnings in 2011.
A Shift in Income Sources
This year’s total represents a 7% decrease from the $576 million earned in 2025, largely due to a decrease in the earnings of New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto. However, off-field income for the top ten earners is setting new records, reaching $144 million – a 20% increase from 2025 and an astounding 863% increase over four years.
“Ohtani’s $125 million dwarfs the $20 million the other nine highest-paid MLB players are collectively expected to earn from their business ventures.”
Experts attribute Ohtani’s success to his ability to dominate the Japanese market, even as fellow Dodgers players Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki emerge as rising stars.
Potential Labor Disputes
The concentration of wealth among a few teams is fueling calls for a salary cap from other team owners, aiming to create a more competitive balance and potentially increase their own revenues. These debates are intensifying as the league’s collective bargaining agreement with players nears its expiration in December, raising the possibility of a work stoppage in the 2027 season.
“If owners insist on limiting salaries and won’t agree to anything else, I reckon sooner or later it will happen and we’ll miss at least one full baseball season,”
Michael Haupert, Professor of Economics at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and co-chair of the Business in Baseball Committee of the Society for American Baseball Research
While owners may push for salary restrictions, a recent arbitration win by Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal, who secured a $32 million salary for the year, breaking the previous record of $19.9 million set by an arbitration panel, demonstrates players’ willingness to fight for their worth.
Methodology
Forbes’ ranking of the highest-paid baseball players reflects on-field earnings for the 2026 MLB season, including base salaries, signing bonuses, and deferred payments from contracts signed as of March 23. Compensation from participation in the World Baseball Classic is likewise included. However, MLB contract bonuses based on individual or team performance are not factored in. Figures are rounded to the nearest $100,000.
Off-field income is estimated based on conversations with industry insiders and includes annual cash earnings from endorsements, licensing, appearances, and memorabilia sales, as well as income from any businesses in which the athlete has a significant stake. Investment income, such as interest payments or dividends, is not included, but Forbes does account for proceeds from stock sales.
Translation by Darya Suleymanova