Shohei Ohtani is baseball’s highest earner, projected to make $127 million in 2026-$125 million from endorsements alone, the largest off-field haul ever for an active athlete.
His off-field income exceeds the combined total of the other nine players on Forbes’ MLB rich list by more than sixfold, highlighting his global market dominance.
The top 10 MLB earners will collectively pull in a record $144 million off the field in 2026, up 20% from last year and nearly nine times the total from four years ago.
Six of the top earners play for just three clubs: the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and New York Mets. Cody Bellinger ranks second at $56.5 million with the Yankees; Bo Bichette is sixth at $42.4 million after joining the Mets.
Yet soaring revenues coincide with rising labor tensions. The current collective bargaining agreement expires December 1, raising fears of a disruptive dispute ahead of the 2027 season.
Team owners are pushing for a salary cap-a move players staunchly oppose. Economist Michael Haupert warns a hardline stance could cost the sport an entire season. Union officials caution that a work stoppage might also sideline MLB players from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.