Shohei Ohtani Defers $680M in Historic Dodgers Deal

The decision to defer payment allows the Dodgers to stay competitive in free agency.

Shohei Ohtani has agreed to a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, one of the largest contracts in sports history.
Ohtani will defer $68 million of his annual $70 million salary, receiving just $20 million over the next 10 years, with the remaining $680 million payable from 2034-43.
The deferred money will be paid without interest and was Ohtani's idea, motivated by the thought of helping the Dodgers sign other players.
The deferral will significantly lower the Dodgers' payroll and potential tax burden, allowing them to stay competitive in free agency.
Ohtani is believed to make upward of $45 million annually through endorsements, making him the most marketable player in Major League Baseball.