Every time Shohei Ohtani steps onto the court it’s ‘a moment’ and his latest memorabilia deal could help fans collect a piece of history.
The Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter has signed an exclusive global trading card deal with Fanatics-owned Topps. In addition to autographs, the new pact includes trading cards featuring in-game memorabilia and cards celebrating major moments and accomplishments in the two-way phenom’s career.
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The agreement, which is effective immediately, represents a major step forward in his relationship with the Fanatics brand. Ohtani previously signed a non-exclusive deal with Topps in 2018, shortly after coming to the U.S. to play for the Los Angeles Angels.
Topps will have products for both the U.S. and Japan, the latter being a growing market for the Fanatics Collectibles division. Ohtani joins fellow American and Dodgers teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto, along with retired stars Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui, on Topps’ growing roster 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 will write his own new chapter in MLB history in 2024 with another MVP-style campaign. The two-time American League MVP was unable to pitch this season after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his UCL last year, so he focused more on the basepaths in his first season in Dodger blue. Ohtani became just the sixth AL/NL player ever to steal 40 bases and hit 40 home runs in a single season, culminating 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 be innovative in our offerings with him, giving collectors a product never before seen in the hobby,” said David Leiner, president of trading cards at Fanatics Collectibles, in a statement.
One of those unprecedented deals could come in the final weeks of the regular season. Ohtani could break new ground as the first AL/NL player ever to have a 45/45 season.
After six seasons in Anaheim, Ohtani became a free agent last fall, opting to sign the richest contract in sports history with the Dodgers: a 10-year, $700 million deal, 97 percent of which ($680 million) is deferred salary. Between 2034 and 2043, the Dodgers will pay Ohtani in interest-free installments of $68 million per year.
Although he’s only earning a $2 million salary this season, the 30-year-old will earn more than anyone else in baseball thanks to his extensive list of endorsement deals, including New Balance and Rapsodo.
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