Every time Shohei Ohtani steps on the field is “a moment,” and his recent memorabilia deal can help fans collect a piece of history.
The Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter has signed an exclusive worldwide trading card deal with Fanatics-owned Topps. In addition to autographs, the new deal also includes trading cards with game memorabilia as well as cards reflecting major moments and achievements in the two-way phenom’s career.
The agreement, which takes effect immediately, represents a massive step forward in his relationship with the Fanatics brand. Ohtani had already signed a non-exclusive contract with Topps in 2018, shortly after coming to the United States to play for the Los Angeles Angels.
Topps will offer products for both the U.S. and Japan, with Japan being a growing market for the Fanatics Collectibles division. Ohtani joins fellow American and Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, as well as former stars such as Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, on Topps’ growing list of Japanese players. He’s not the only LA star with an exclusive trading card deal with the Fanatics Collectibles group; LeBron James signed a similar deal in January.
Ohtani is writing his own new chapter in the MLB history books in 2024 with another MVP-like season. Unable to pitch this season after undergoing UCL reconstruction surgery last year, the two-time American League MVP focused more energy on the basepaths in his first season in Dodger blue. Ohtani became just the sixth AL/NL player to ever steal 40 bases and hit 40 home runs in a single season. He accomplished the feat with a walk-off grand slam on Aug. 24. He joined the 40/40 club in 21 fewer games than anyone else, including last year’s NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr.
“With this new, exclusive deal, Topps will continue to innovate in our offerings with him, providing collectors with products never seen before in the hobby,” said David Leiner, president of trading cards at Fanatics Collectibles, in a statement.
One of those unprecedented deals could happen in the final weeks of the regular season. Ohtani could break new ground as the first AL/NL player to ever have a 45/45 season.
After six seasons in Anaheim, Ohtani became a free agent last fall and signed the most lucrative contract in sports history with the Dodgers – a 10-year, $700 million deal with 97% of the money ($680 million) in deferred salary. Between 2034 and 2043, the Dodgers will pay Ohtani in installments of $68 million per year, with no interest.
Although he only makes $2 million this season, the 30-year-old will earn more than anyone in baseball thanks to his extensive list of endorsement deals, which also includes New Balance and Rapsodo.
