The ball hit by Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani, which marked his impressive achievement of 50 home runs during the Major League Baseball season, has been sold for a staggering £3.39m ($4.4m) at auction. This record-breaking transaction occurred after Ohtani, 30, made history on September 19 against the Miami Marlins, becoming the first player ever to attain both 50 home runs and 50 steals in a single season.
The sale price of £3.39m surpasses the previous auction record for a baseball which was set in 1999 when Mark McGwire's ball brought in £2.3m ($3m). However, the legitimacy of ownership for Ohtani's ball, dubbed the '50-50 ball', is still under legal scrutiny in Florida. An 18-year-old named Max Matus has claimed that he initially captured the ball, only to have it wrested away by another fan, Chris Belanski.
Despite the ongoing legal disputes, the auction proceeded with the agreement of all parties claiming ownership. Goldin Auctions, the auction house in charge, assured the buyer that the ball's transfer of ownership would be duly executed. Ken Goldin, the founder of Goldin Auctions, emphasized the global interest in the auction, reflecting Ohtani's significant impact on sports culture.
Holding the record for the largest baseball contract to date, Ohtani signed a 10-year deal with the Dodgers in 2023 worth £539.5m ($700m). While he stands as one of the highest-paid athletes in terms of game earnings, his off-field financial ventures allow him to outpace global stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and LeBron James. As a unique arrangement, Ohtani will earn around £1.6m annually until 2034, transitioning to an expected £54m per year from 2043 onwards, a strategy meant to maintain competitiveness for his team.
As the Dodgers prepare to face the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series on Friday, Ohtani’s achievements continue to command attention both on and off the field.
