We Could’ve Gone to 15: Why Shohei Ohtani Chose Legacy Over Longevity

There was a version of reality where Shohei Ohtani could’ve signed a 15-year, billion-dollar deal, locked in a spot until his mid-40s, and walked away as maybe the richest player baseball’s ever seen.

But that’s not the story he wanted to write.

Instead, Ohtani took a different path—still historic, still massive—but one that kept his dignity, his dominance, and his long-term vision intact. At the Sportico Invest West conference this week, his agent Nez Balelo opened up about the reasoning behind the $700 million, 10-year deal Ohtani signed with the Dodgers back in December 2023.

And it turns out, it wasn’t about getting the biggest bag possible. It was about staying true to the kind of player Ohtani wants to be remembered as.

“We could’ve gone 13, 14, 15 years,” Balelo said. “But Shohei didn’t want to be the guy in year 14 who can’t run to first base. That’s not how he wants to go out.”

It’s a rare mindset in today’s sports world—where players (rightfully) chase security and lifetime earnings. But for Ohtani, a deal that stretched deep into his 40s felt off-brand. He doesn’t just want to play. He wants to dominate.

The Biggest Deal in Sports — and Still Not the Biggest It Could’ve Been

Let’s be clear: Ohtani’s contract is still the largest in professional sports history. The Dodgers handed him $700 million over 10 years, with a twist — nearly all of it is deferred.

Only $20 million will be paid during the contract itself. The rest? That’s coming in later installments, long after he’s done playing. That move lowered the deal’s “present-day value” to about $461 million for MLB’s luxury tax purposes, making it easier for the Dodgers to build a competitive roster around him.

And boy, did it pay off fast.

In his first season with Los Angeles, Ohtani brought home his third MVP award and helped the Dodgers win the World Series. Mission accomplished.

“We wouldn’t change anything,” Balelo said. “He won a championship. He made the right choice.”

He Didn’t Want to Fade Away

So, why not tack on five more years and bump the money up even higher?

Because Ohtani has a sense of self-awareness that most athletes don’t usually express publicly.

He knows that time is undefeated. He knows that age eventually catches up. And he knows that hanging around too long can hurt a legacy. That’s not how he wants to be remembered.

“Shohei’s the type of guy who’s always thinking about the story,” Balelo explained. “He wants to go out with people saying, ‘He was still great.’ Not, ‘Man, what happened to that guy?’”

That’s rare. Most stars cling to their primes. Ohtani’s already thinking about how he exits.

The Toronto Mix-Up

Of course, before Ohtani landed in LA, the baseball world went through a wild few days trying to guess where he’d sign.

At one point, a major media outlet reported he was flying to Toronto to join the Blue Jays. The internet exploded. Canadian fans were euphoric. Reporters scrambled. People tracked private jets.

Except… it wasn’t true.

“That was reckless reporting,” Balelo said. “We weren’t even on a plane. We tried to correct it, but it had already gone viral. I felt bad for Canada.”

That moment sums up how intense the Ohtani sweepstakes were. Every team wanted him. Every reporter wanted the scoop. And every fanbase wanted to believe it was their turn.

Meanwhile, Ohtani and his team stayed quiet, focused, and calm—like always.

Business Is Booming

Ohtani isn’t just a superstar on the field—he’s a global brand. Last year, he made $65 million in endorsements. This year, that number is projected to hit $100 million.

That makes him baseball’s most marketable player, by far.

But he’s not slapping his name on anything just for the paycheck. Balelo says Ohtani personally approves every brand he works with—over 20 of them—and only agrees to endorsements if he genuinely believes in the product.

“He’s not a walking billboard,” Balelo said. “Every deal is intentional. And we protect his time and energy.”

No overexposure. No burnout. No fluff. Just purpose.

Training and Family Come First

At his core, Ohtani is still the same person he was as a teenager in Japan—laser-focused, deeply disciplined, and humble.

Balelo first spotted him as a high school junior and followed his career as he rose through the ranks of Japanese pro baseball with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. From day one, Ohtani had a presence that made him stand out—not just for his talent, but for his mindset.

“He takes everything seriously,” Balelo said. “Training, nutrition, sleep, recovery. That’s priority number one. The only thing more important to him is his family.”

And that’s why Balelo is careful about what Ohtani says yes to off the field. No overwhelming obligations. No distractions from baseball. Everything serves the larger mission: greatness.

Source: Agent: Shohei Ohtani could have landed 15-year deal

Not Just Playing the Game — Changing It

By the numbers, Ohtani is already one of the most accomplished players of all time. Three MVPs. A World Series title. A trailblazing career as both an elite pitcher and hitter. No one in the modern era has done what he’s doing.

But what sets him apart isn’t just the stats. It’s how he’s managing his career—how intentional he is, how clear his priorities are, and how much he cares about legacy.

He didn’t chase the longest deal. He didn’t demand every last dollar upfront. He didn’t try to go viral or be the loudest voice in the room.

He just went out, won a ring, and stayed true to his values.

“This isn’t just a job to Shohei,” Balelo said. “It’s a purpose. And when you operate from that mindset, everything changes.”

Final Thoughts

Shohei Ohtani could’ve signed a contract so massive it would’ve broken not just records, but imaginations. He could’ve stretched it to 15 years, chased numbers, and guaranteed every last cent.

But instead, he chose something better—dignity, longevity, and control.

He bet on himself, not just to perform at the highest level, but to walk away on his own terms.

In a world where everyone’s chasing more, Ohtani is proving that enough—when done right—can be everything.

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