Both players had impressive seasons that helped them land these massive paydays. Ohtani had an MVP-level year, hitting .375 with 54 home runs and 130 RBIs, leading the Dodgers to a World Series title. Soto also shined, hitting .288 with 41 home runs and 109 RBIs, and earned All-MLB and Silver Slugger honors. These earnings are reshaping the financial landscape of baseball and showing how big global marketing and personal branding have become in sports.
Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto are about to make history in 2025 by becoming the first MLB players ever to earn over $100 million in a single year. Ohtani, playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers will mostly hit that mark through huge endorsement deals with brands like New Balance and Fanatics. Despite his massive 10-year $700 million contract signed in 2023, Ohtanis salary this season is only $2 million due to deferred payments. Meanwhile Sotos earnings come from his mind-blowing $765 million contract with the New York Mets, including a $75 million signing bonus, putting him on track to make around $129 million this year.
