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Sports World Reacts To Incredible Contract Deferrals In Shohei Ohtani's Contract With Dodgers

Originally posted on Los Angeles Dodgers on SI
By Ricardo Sandoval | Last updated Dec 11, 2023 9:00 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers will soon sign their newest superstar, two-way stud Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani broke the internet on Saturday when it was announced he will sign with the Boys in Blue for a record-setting 10-year, $700 million contract.

Seeing that number alone looks like a typo, but he's earned it and is worth every single penny. However, Ohtani won't get the money like we all thought he would. Dodgers insider for The Athletic Fabian Ardaya said Ohtani will defer $68 million per year of his $70 million annual salary throughout his 10-year, $700 million contract.

This will allow the team to keep spending for elite talent throughout the course of his career as a Dodger.

This is unprecedented, especially for a talent like Shohei. The sports world is shocked by the recent news, and they couldn't help but take their thoughts to Twitter/X.

680 million deferred is insane
— Addison (@YankeeWRLD) December 11, 2023

Andrew Friedman and Shohei Ohtani driving around LA after completely finessing the contract system so the Dodgers can build a powerhouse pic.twitter.com/Clx4cVujzu
— Bruce Kuntz (@Bnicklaus7) December 11, 2023

pic.twitter.com/dSgkuTptsm
— Rich Cullen (@RichCullen9) December 12, 2023

Shohei Ohtani when it comes time for the $680 million to come through: pic.twitter.com/T4OHNSr9CL
— FanDuel (@FanDuel) December 11, 2023

They got the Affirm payment plan going
— KeeGlock Murray (@KingsofLosing) December 11, 2023

Many Dodgers or baseball fans are having fun with the news; however, others are confused by it and are deeming it as 'unfair' for the Dodgers and the game of baseball.

This should be illegal. This is so bad for the game. Yamamoto is for sure a Dodger now.
— Bustaaa14 (@MatthewBusta) December 11, 2023

Okay yeah now THIS is bad for baseball
— GMagz (@b0nerjams_03) December 11, 2023

This can't be legal
— Knicks Memes (@KnicksMemes) December 11, 2023

Yeah I’m sorry HOW IS THIS ALLOWED
— The Skippers View (@TheSkippersView) December 11, 2023

MLB insider for ESPN Jeff Passan noted that this is entirely legal under the collective-bargaining agreement that addressed this very thing; deferred money is unlimited as it states, "There shall be no limitations on either the amount of deferred compensation or the percentage of total compensation attributable to deferred compensation for which a Uniform Player's Contract may provide."

Maybe the system is broken right now, and people have the right to cry about it. However, what the Dodgers and Shohei are doing is legit, and it shows how much of a team player he is.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Dodgers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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