Ohtani's iconic '50-50' ball, sold for a staggering £3.39m, highlights the superstar's monumental impact on the sport and his burgeoning global popularity.
**Record Sale: Ohtani’s Historic 50th Home Run Ball Fetches £3.39m at Auction**
**Record Sale: Ohtani’s Historic 50th Home Run Ball Fetches £3.39m at Auction**
The ball that marked Shohei Ohtani's unprecedented achievement in MLB history has shattered auction records.
In an unprecedented moment for Major League Baseball, the ball hit by Shohei Ohtani during his 50th home run, while also achieving 50 stolen bases in a single season, sold for a groundbreaking £3.39m ($4.4m) at auction. The legendary feat was accomplished during a game against the Miami Marlins on September 19, solidifying Ohtani, 30, as a historic figure in baseball lore.
This sale marks the highest amount ever paid for a sports ball at auction, surpassing the previous record of £2.3m ($3m) which was set in 1999 for Mark McGwire's ball from the 1998 MLB season. However, ownership of the coveted '50-50 ball' is currently embroiled in a legal dispute in Florida. An 18-year-old fan named Max Matus claims that he originally possessed the ball before it was forcibly taken from him by another spectator during the game.
Despite the ongoing legal tussle over ownership, all involved parties decided to proceed with the auction. Goldin Auctions, the auction house facilitating the sale, assured that the winning bidder would receive full rights to the ball. “We received bids from around the world, a testament to the significance of this iconic collectible and Ohtani’s impact on sports,” remarked Ken Goldin, founder of Goldin Auctions.
Ohtani's stardom continues to grow, especially following his record-setting 10-year, £539.5m ($700m) contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023—an unparalleled deal in baseball history. Beyond his on-field financial success, Ohtani's off-field earnings reportedly outstrip mega-icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. In December 2023, he agreed to defer much of his salary to ensure a competitive roster for the Dodgers, aiming for around £1.6m annually until 2034, followed by drastically higher earnings thereafter.
As Ohtani and the Dodgers gear up to face the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series this Friday, the buzz surrounding the '50-50 ball' only affirms his stature as one of the highest-paid and most celebrated athletes in the world of sports.
This sale marks the highest amount ever paid for a sports ball at auction, surpassing the previous record of £2.3m ($3m) which was set in 1999 for Mark McGwire's ball from the 1998 MLB season. However, ownership of the coveted '50-50 ball' is currently embroiled in a legal dispute in Florida. An 18-year-old fan named Max Matus claims that he originally possessed the ball before it was forcibly taken from him by another spectator during the game.
Despite the ongoing legal tussle over ownership, all involved parties decided to proceed with the auction. Goldin Auctions, the auction house facilitating the sale, assured that the winning bidder would receive full rights to the ball. “We received bids from around the world, a testament to the significance of this iconic collectible and Ohtani’s impact on sports,” remarked Ken Goldin, founder of Goldin Auctions.
Ohtani's stardom continues to grow, especially following his record-setting 10-year, £539.5m ($700m) contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2023—an unparalleled deal in baseball history. Beyond his on-field financial success, Ohtani's off-field earnings reportedly outstrip mega-icons like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. In December 2023, he agreed to defer much of his salary to ensure a competitive roster for the Dodgers, aiming for around £1.6m annually until 2034, followed by drastically higher earnings thereafter.
As Ohtani and the Dodgers gear up to face the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series this Friday, the buzz surrounding the '50-50 ball' only affirms his stature as one of the highest-paid and most celebrated athletes in the world of sports.
