How Shohei Ohtani's Contract Is Impacted by Mark Walter's Dodgers Ownership After Record Lakers Sale

Mark Walter sold the Los Angeles Lakers to Bob Iger at a historic valuation on Wednesday, but Walter is expected to remain the owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

That's good news for Dodgers fans who are hoping to keep Shohei Ohtani in town.

According to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, Ohtani's contract includes a "key man" clause that ties him to Walter and Andrew Friedman, the president of baseball operations.

That means if Walter or Friedman were to leave the organization, Ohtani would be able to opt out of his contract and become a free agent at the end of the season.

Despite the opportunity, Ohtani is most likely staying put.

According to Sam Blum and Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic, the superstar is "unlikely to exercise his key-man provision and opt out of his contract" even if Walter leaves the organization.

Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season, making him the face of the franchise over the next decade.

Walter and his investment group bought the Dodgers in 2012 and purchased the Lakers last year. While his time with the Lakeshow didn't last long, he's given no indication that he wants to sell the city's baseball team.