Japanese baseball star, Shohei Ohtani, has soared to the top of the world's athlete chart in terms of his secondary income. His numerous lucrative endorsements and advertising contracts, in addition to his salary from Angeles playing in the Major League Baseball (MLB), have pushed him to rank world no.1 in the list of athletes' off-field income. Precise figures of his earnings have not been disclosed.

In Japan, Ohtani's success is seen as a source of national pride. Earnings of athletes are often discussed as a reflection of their global success and appeal. Japanese society greatly values hard work, discipline, and modesty, traits that Ohtani is renowned for. These values make him an ideal icon for advertisers looking to endorse him in their campaigns.

In the US and EU, the earning potential of athletes is well-recognized too. However, off-field earnings are often more diversified, coming from endorsements, investments, and media deals. In Ohtani's case, his earnings largely come from endorsements and advertiser money, reflecting Japanese society's emphasis on an athlete's image and character.