MLB Exec: Shohei Ohtani's Free Agency Is 'Same Model' as Lionel Messi Joining MLS

Shohei Ohtani is going to sign an incredibly lucrative contract this winter due to his incredible ability on the field, but his cultural impact and marketability makes him extremely valuable to MLB franchises as well.

"Look at the example of [Lionel] Messi in Miami," an AL executive told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal on Monday. "I think Ohtani is the same model."

The general point is that when Messi agreed to sign with Inter Miami, he took a club with the worst attendance in MLS and made them the hottest ticket in town. His addition has not only approved the quality on the pitch but will eventually replace the pitch itself, helping to fund Miami's new stadium project.

The greatest player in the history of the world's most popular sport—fresh off winning a World Cup with Argentina—joining a league outside of the most competitive offerings in Europe is hard to replicate on a cultural level. Imagine Michael Jordan leaving the NBA and choosing to play EuroLeague basketball at the end of his career, and you get the gist.

Ohtani's signing isn't that. As Rosenthal noted, kids around the world won't be clamoring for Ohtani jerseys the way they bought Messi kits, and Ohtani likely wouldn't provide a ratings boost or increase ticket sales for certain organizations like the Los Angeles Dodgers or New York Yankees that are already popular.

Rosenthal added, however, that he could help certain organizations—like the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Angels—potentially secure "an instant path to a major rights package, perhaps creating incentive for them to bid higher."

And Major League Baseball could benefit if Ohtani's next team is open to bundling its broadcast rights with other clubs around the sport, with Rosenthal noting the league "someday could include that team as part of a larger package featuring, say, 15 clubs, it could then market the package to the likes of Apple with Ohtani as the centerpiece."

"It's all about eyeballs," an AL executive added. "And he brings eyeballs to the table."

The superstar hitter and pitcher is one of the most unique talents in sports, even if he isn't pitching again until 2025. He'll provide eyeballs wherever he goes. Now, the question is just how much his talent and marketability is worth to clubs around baseball.