Ohtani's Historic 50-50 Baseball Ball Sells for £3.39m Amid Legal Dispute

Shohei Ohtani's 50th home run ball has set a new auction record, fetching £3.39m, despite ongoing legal complications regarding its ownership.

Los Angeles Dodgers' ace Shohei Ohtani has taken the sporting world by storm once again as the ball from his 50th home run, achieved on September 19 against the Miami Marlins, sold for an astonishing £3.39m ($4.4m) at auction. This sale marks a historic moment, as it is the highest amount ever paid for a sports ball, surpassing the previous record of £2.3m ($3m) paid in 1999 for Mark McGwire's famous home run ball.

The 30-year-old Ohtani made baseball history by becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season. However, the excitement surrounding the sale comes amid legal uncertainty regarding the ball's ownership. A Florida lawsuit filed by 18-year-old Max Matus claims that he initially secured the ball after Ohtani's home run but was then ambushed by a man named Chris Belanski, who allegedly seized the ball from him.

Despite these conflicting claims, all involved parties agreed to proceed with the auction. Ken Goldin, founder of Goldin Auctions, expressed pride at the eagerness of bidders from across the globe, highlighting the significance of the event and Ohtani's monumental impact on sports.

Notably, Ohtani, now the highest-paid player in baseball following a jaw-dropping 10-year contract worth £539.5m ($700m) with the Dodgers, is also planning to defer a considerable portion of his earnings to help maintain a competitive team roster. While he will earn around £1.6m annually until 2034, his later earnings are poised to exceed £54m per year until 2043. The two-way star is currently preparing to face the New York Yankees in Game 1 of the World Series this Friday.