Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is arguably the most popular athlete in the world.

Ohtani has been the global face of baseball since he stepped onto the MLB scene in 2018, and that has only heightened since he signed with the Dodgers in the winter of 2023. The 31-year-old is a global superstar, appearing in a multitude of commercials domestically and internationally. 

The numbers prove that to be the case as no other athlete made more than the Japanese sensation in 2025.

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According to Sportico, Ohtani generated an estimated $100 million in marketing revenue, surpassing other top athletes like Lakers superstar forward LeBron James and soccer superstar Lionel Messi. 

“Ohtani made an estimated $100 million in marketing revenue, Sportico reported Wednesday, followed by the Lakers’ LeBron James at $85 million, soccer stars Lionel Messi ($70 million) and Cristiano Ronaldo ($60 million) and golfer Rory McIlroy ($55 million).”

Ohtani joins three other athletes to make over $100 million in marketing revenue, according to Sportico: Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, golf icon Tiger Woods and tennis superstar Roger Federer.

Prior to Ohtani being the leader in 2025, Cury led in 2024 ($100 million), James in 2023 ($80 million), James again in 2022 ($90 million) and McGregor in 2021 ($180 million).

The four-time MVP has been at the top of the baseball world for the past two seasons, helping lead the Dodgers to back-to-back World Series titles. So far in his Dodgers tenure, he is two-for-two on rings, and he will look to make it a third in 2026. 

The Dodgers are seeking to become the first three-peat champions in the sport in more than a quarter-century since the New York Yankees did so from 1998-2000. 

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Ohtani signed a massive 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers; however, it involves deferring $680 million of his salary, paying him only $2 million annually from 2024-33. 

Although Ohtani is not getting his entire MLB contract at the moment, his marketing revenue is more than making up for it. 

For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.