In a moment that sent shockwaves through the baseball world, Los Angeles Dodgers legend Andre Ethier stepped into the spotlight at Dodger Stadium on August 20, 2025, to deliver a career-defining surprise to Shohei Ohtani, the sport’s most transcendent star. With the crowd buzzing in anticipation during a pre-game ceremony, Ethier, a two-time All-Star and beloved figure in Dodgers history, presented Ohtani with a staggering $50 million endorsement deal with PepsiCo, marking one of the largest single-brand partnerships in MLB history. The announcement, made on the field before a packed house, ignited a deafening roar from fans, cementing Ohtani’s status as not just a baseball icon but a global marketing juggernaut.

Ohtani, already a household name with an estimated $100 million in endorsement earnings for 2025, stood beside Ethier, visibly moved by the gesture. The Japanese superstar, known for his stoic demeanor, broke into a wide smile as Ethier recounted their shared connection to the Dodgers and praised Ohtani’s unprecedented impact on the game. “Shohei’s rewriting what’s possible in baseball,” Ethier said, gripping the microphone. “And today, PepsiCo is betting big on a player who’s changing the sport forever.” The deal, which includes Ohtani fronting global campaigns for PepsiCo’s flagship brands like Pepsi, Gatorade, and Lay’s, pushes his off-field earnings to new heights, surpassing even global icons like Tiger Woods and LeBron James in single-year endorsement totals.

The timing of the announcement was no accident. With the Dodgers fresh off their 2024 World Series victory and Ohtani’s historic 50-50 season—becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases—the stage was set for a moment that blended baseball’s past and present. Ethier, who spent his entire 12-year career with the Dodgers and now serves as a team ambassador, was the perfect figure to bridge that gap. His own legacy, marked by clutch postseason hits and a Silver Slugger award, resonates with fans who see Ohtani as the heir to that tradition of excellence. The crowd’s eruption was as much for Ethier’s heartfelt tribute as for Ohtani’s latest milestone.

Ohtani’s marketability is unmatched in baseball. His $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers, with $680 million deferred, allows the team to surround him with talent while he rakes in endorsement deals that dwarf his $2 million annual salary. Sportico reports that Ohtani’s 2025 endorsements, now bolstered by the PepsiCo deal, total $100 million, far outpacing peers like Bryce Harper ($10 million) and Juan Soto ($7 million). His portfolio already includes New Balance, Seiko, and Fanatics, but the PepsiCo partnership, brokered by his agent Nez Balelo, signals a new level of global reach. “We’re strategic with Shohei’s brand,” Balelo told the Associated Press, confirming the deal’s scope. “This aligns with his vision to inspire fans worldwide.”

The ceremony wasn’t just about money—it was a celebration of Ohtani’s cultural impact. In Japan, where his face adorns everything from billboards to airline ads, the Tokyo Series in March 2025 drew 15 million viewers, nearly 12% of the country’s population. His ability to transcend borders, coupled with his two-way prowess, has made him a marketing unicorn. Dodgers president Stan Kasten noted, “Shohei’s not just a player; he’s a phenomenon that elevates our brand globally.” The PepsiCo deal, with campaigns set to launch during the 2025 postseason, will feature Ohtani in ads tailored for North America, Asia, and beyond, capitalizing on his universal appeal.

For Ethier, the moment was personal. Having mentored younger Dodgers like Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, he saw in Ohtani a player who could carry the franchise’s legacy forward. “This is what Dodgers baseball is about,” Ethier told the crowd, his voice thick with emotion. “We lift each other up.” Fans, still buzzing from Ohtani’s MVP-caliber season, chanted his name as he waved, clutching a ceremonial Pepsi bottle. The baseball world, already reshaped by Ohtani’s on-field heroics, now faces a new reality: his off-field influence may redefine how MLB markets its stars. As the 2025 season unfolds, with Ohtani chasing more records and the Dodgers eyeing another title, this moment—sparked by Ethier’s surprise—will be remembered as a turning point in baseball’s global evolution.