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| Steven Taylor LA |
The signing of Shohei Ohtani by the Dodgers has presented an unprecedented historical moment for L.A.’s sports scene that wouldn’t have been possible without a certain fallen star named Kobe Bryant. With a signing like this, taking the Dodgers closer to their dream of winning another World Series championship, it couldn’t be anything but invested with some measure of LA legend.
The Dodgers also nabbed Shohei Ohtani, who agreed to the largest contract in all of professional sports — 10 years for $700 million. Other teams fell over themselves trying to land him and have now been left missing huge pieces they could no longer afford as a result. A recorded video message from Kobe Bryant is one of the most important factors influencing Ohtani’s decision to join the Dodgers. The 2017 video created as a favor to the Dodgers proved to be vital during recruitment.
Kobe Bryant, using the Mamba Mentality in a video response to Ohtani, implored him to join his fellow Angelenos on the other side of Hill Street. Ohtani was particularly struck by his message, which focused on seeking greatness and the satisfaction of finding yourself standing atop a trampled wave. Ohtani, of course never personally met Bryant. But the departed basketball great’s words have had an indelible impact on Ohtani, so much that it contributed to his signing with the Dodgers.
The structure of the contract is itself noteworthy. Ohtani’s $70 million salary figures prominently in this regard, and a large chunk-68 percent of the figure shape calmly well be deferred. It will not actually appear as income until 2034 to 2043. This deferral strategy not only reflects their financial wisdom, but also display their concern about raising a strong team for the long term.
Ohtani getting with the Dodgers isn’t just a signature. It is an expression of goals. Ohtani’s extraordinary skills in both pitching and hitting make him a distinctive dynamic force for the team. But because he had elbow surgery last September, it means that he won’t be pitching for the Dodgers until the 2025 season. During this time his bat won’t hurt the team a bit.
Moreover, the unique structure of Ohtani’s contract is crucial in the Dodgers ‘short-term strategy for competition. The Dodgers’ clever trick has been to defer a sizable portion of Ohtani’s income — they have essentially done this by saying, ‘Don’t worry about all the zeros! Please give us until 2017.’ In a game with checkbooks, this savvy financial jiu-jitsu is critical. Controlling payroll can be the difference between winning championships and struggling to stay competitive from year to year (or even bankruptcy).
It is a strategic masterstroke in two respects. First, it gives the Dodgers more room to sign other big-league players right now; that ameliorates their team in the near future. Given that the team is clearly in ‘win now’ mode, one of its major points for consideration must be whether it can bring new talent on board without blowing up the current payroll.
And secondly, this is a structure of long-term vision. The Angels’ deferred payouts due to Ohtani will have a day their reckoning, but for now the team is geared toward this championship window. As such, this way of doing things shows the Dodgers ‘determination not only to win in present, but also coast safely into an even tomorrow. That deferral gives the Dodgers a chance to have two objectives — winning titles now, and leaving open their future financial flexibility.
In a sense, Ohtani’s contract is the perfect combination of an urgent high-pressure drive for success and wise long-term monetary calculation. It is the product of the Dodgers’ highly advanced methodology for building a ball club in today ‘game.
Kobe Bryant’s legacy pervades this signing to an incalculable extent. Over three years after his untimely death, Bryant’s passion and devotion to being the best still reach out beyond basketball courts everywhere. his role in attracting Ohtani is another illustration of the continuing influence he has on Los Angeles sports.
The Dodgers’ acquisition of Ohtani reflects Kobe Bryant ‘legacy and direction given by a planned financial strategy, a special moment in the team’s history. A tribute to one of the city’s most beloved athletes, its very existence also reflects their ambition on winning a World Series. The echoes of Bryant in the air As Ohtani readies to don the uniform of a Los Angeles Dodger, all prepares for another championship run. -Steven Taylor Los Angeles, CA
Originally published at https://steventaylorlandlord.medium.com on December 28, 2023.
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