Top NFL, NBA players couldn't believe Shohei Ohtani's $700M deal, from Patrick Mahomes to Donovan Mitchell
Shohei Ohtani's 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers is so massive, even top athletes in other sports were floored by the news.
After anticipation surrounding his free agency hit a fever pitch Friday, details of Ohtani's contract managed to continue the chaos. The fully guaranteed deal is now the largest in North American professional sports history.
People couldn't fathom the amount of money Ohtani will earn, and "Seven hundred million dollars" began to trend on X, formerly Twitter. The reactions weren't limited to fans, either.
From Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes to Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell, the amount stunned even other highly paid athletes. Mahomes, a two-time NFL MVP and two-time Super Bowl MVP, sent a trio of laughing emojis in response to three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt's shocked reaction.
For comparison, Mahomes' recently restructured contract with the Chiefs pays him $210.6 million between 2023 and 2026, the most in NFL history over a four-year span. Unable to process the amount, he congratulated Ohtani on the historic deal.
Bro like what! 🤣🤣🤣
Congrats to him! https://t.co/kIztMnhoUV— Patrick Mahomes II (@PatrickMahomes) December 9, 2023
Ohtani's talent can't be questioned, and his two-way ability is unmatched in MLB. The two-time MVP can take control of a game from the pitcher's mound or at the plate. Playing off of Ohtani's allure, Watt encouraged Mahomes to start honing his defensive skills for more cash.
start working on those pass rush moves 😂
Imagine being able to do both at an All-Pro level.
Guy is insane.
🤯🤯🤯— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 9, 2023
The salary cap makes the NFL a completely different world than MLB. The same goes for the NBA, which has netted its all-time leading scorer, LeBron James, approximately $479 million in 21 seasons.
Mitchell and New York Knicks guard Josh Hart also weighed in Saturday, offering similarly astonished reactions to Ohtani's contract. Mitchell is currently playing on a five-year, $163,000,300 contract with the Utah Jazz that he declined to extend in October.
700M’s is crazy!! And he deserves every Penny of that too! Sheesh‼️‼️
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) December 9, 2023
Good Lord 10 years $700Ms 🤯
— Josh Hart (@joshhart) December 9, 2023
Legendary NBA guard Magic Johnson is all business in his retirement, and he reacted to Ohtani's deal from that perspective. Forbes announced Johnson as a billionaire in October, a status he reached through a diverse portfolio of investments, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Lakers, Sparks and Washington Commanders. He also has a stake in the MLS franchise LAFC.
A big big congratulations and job well done to my partner and Dodgers majority owner Mark Walter, Stan Kasten, Andrew Friedman, and the rest of the Dodgers organization for signing Shohei Ohtani! @Dodgers 👏🏾
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) December 9, 2023
Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux woke up excited about his new teammate. Meanwhile, Cincinnati Reds icon Joey Votto had to be checked on when he saw the news. Votto's 22-year relationship with the Reds recently ended when the team paid a buyout on his 10-year, $225 million contract, which was a franchise record.
I wake up from a nap…. And BANGGG!🤣
LFG— Gavin Lux (@TheRealGavinLux) December 9, 2023
I chortled out loud in a shop. Person asked if I was ok.
— Joey Votto (@JoeyVotto) December 9, 2023