The chapter delves into the groundbreaking $700 million, 10-year contract signed by Shohie Otani with the LA Dodgers, marking the largest contract in US team sports history. It discusses the unique deal structure, with most of the sum deferred over a 20-year period, and explores the reasons behind this arrangement. The episode emphasizes the significance of a Japanese player like Otani receiving such a record-breaking contract in Major League Baseball, underlining the increasing global presence and influence of international players in the league.
Shohei Ohtani made his Dodger debut this week. His record-setting contract solidifies an international era for Major League Baseball, which hasn’t yet overcome a diversity problem at home.
This episode was produced by Hady Mawajdeh and Jesse Alejandro Cottrell, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers and Patrick Boyd, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained
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