Big league sensation Shohei Ohtani, known for his dual prowess in pitching and hitting, has secured a sweet deal on the island of Hawaii, becoming the inaugural resident of a high-end community there.
With endorsement deals from big names like New Balance and Fanatics already padding his wallet, Ohtani’s latest move sees him landing a prime spot in Hapuna Estates, a new gated haven nestled within the prestigious Mauna Kea Resort, the Wall Street Journal reports. The deal, brokered in exchange for his residency status, positions the Japanese baseball star to construct a sprawling 5,000-square-foot abode boasting picturesque Pacific views.
Ohtani got to choose the lot he’ll build on.
His chosen plot, spanning approximately 1.1 acres, also boasts commanding views overlooking the eighth hole of a golf course within the resort “I recently selected my lot in this new development, and I plan on building my home there in the near future that I will be able to enjoy for many years to come,” remarked Ohtani in a statement to the Journal.
The baseball phenom, who inked a staggering $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, is no stranger to luxury living, splitting his time between a rented mansion in LA and a plush apartment in Tokyo. Now, Hawaii will serve as his offseason oasis. While the exact sum for Ohtani’s slice of paradise remains undisclosed, lots in Hapuna Estates are fetching a princely sum starting at $4.9 million.
Ohtani’s deal, however, comes with a twist. The developers gifted him the cream of the crop, allowing him to cherry-pick his plot, with construction costs on him. “It’s being done to his specs,” a spokesperson for the developer, led by West Point Investment Corp., confirmed to the outlet.
A chance introduction by Aloha Partners in 2022 paved the way for Ohtani’s exclusive deal, years in the making. Despite his high-profile endorsements, this venture aligns more with a “name, image and likeness” agreement, leveraging his stature for marketing and promotional purposes. The sprawling Hapuna Estates spans 34 acres, housing 66 luxury dwellings. Among them, a select few command eye-watering price tags ranging from $16 million to $20 million, while duplex residences are priced between $4 million to $6 million.
Originally envisioned by Laurance Rockefeller, the Mauna Kea Resort is a haven boasting two championship golf courses, private beaches and upscale accommodations including exclusive restaurants for community members. Construction is slated to commence this year. Collaborating with Kingsbarn Realty Capital on the 14-home subdivision and with Dominis Holdings on the condo segment, West Point Investment Corp. is spearheading the development efforts.
Tomo Matsumoto of Hapuna Realty heads sales for this project. The website Sportskeeda was first to report on the deal. Ohtani’s contract, the largest in US sports history, boasts an unprecedented payment structure, with a staggering $68 million per season deferred until 2034. In the interim, he’ll pocket a modest $2 million per season, supplementing his earnings with a reported $45 million per season from endorsements, according to the Journal.
Despite his staggering contract, Ohtani’s financial saga took an unexpected turn recently. His longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, faced allegations of embezzling $16 million from the star to fuel his gambling habit with an illegal bookmaker in California. Mizuhara’s indictment for bank fraud last week had federal prosecutors categorizing Ohtani as a victim in the unfolding saga.
