Throughout the history of Major League Baseball, no player has earned $100 million in a single year, with the record previously set at $72 million from salaries and endorsements. However, in 2025, two extraordinary athletes are expected to both surpass nine figures but through different avenues.
Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani stand out as the highest earners in baseball. Soto’s expected $129 million income will come primarily from his playing contract, which includes a record-setting $75 million signing bonus as part of a 15-year, $765 million free-agent agreement with the New York Mets signed in December.
Meanwhile, Ohtani has a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which is mostly deferred except for $2 million annually. He is anticipated to rake in $100 million through endorsements and memorabilia following a triumphant season that saw him win his third MVP Award and capture his first World Series title.
Renowned for his unique dual-threat capability on the field, Ohtani’s influence extends well beyond it as well. Endorsement earnings for MLB players historically peaked around $10 million with athletes like Derek Jeter and Ichiro Suzuki, but Ohtani is now set to reach an estimated $100 million in endorsements, a feat previously achieved by only three athletes — Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, and Stephen Curry.
Ohtani’s appeal was evident last October when the World Series featuring the Dodgers and New York Yankees attracted an average of 12.9 million viewers per game in Japan, despite the significant time difference. As MLB kicked off its season in Tokyo this week, Ohtani was prominently featured in numerous advertisements throughout the city. His Instagram following dwarfs that of any other active baseball player, boasting four times as many followers.
Recently, Ohtani expanded his endorsement portfolio by adding several new companies and renewing existing contracts, following a successful inaugural season with the Dodgers. With partnerships that include New Balance and an unprecedented memorabilia agreement with Fanatics/Topps, Ohtani enjoys the backing of 20 brand partners, including Beats and Epic Games, the latter making him the first MLB player featured in Epic’s Fortnite video game.
Soto’s remarkable journey took a pivotal turn in the summer of 2022 when he declined a 15-year, $440 million offer from the Washington Nationals. Following stints in San Diego and New York, multiple teams offered upwards of $700 million for his services, with the Mets offering a compelling deal that entails no deferred payment and an opt-out after the 2029 season, potentially raising the deal’s total to $805 million. As baseball navigates its financial disparities, it’s noteworthy that of the highest earners, Soto remains the only player under 30.
