Shohei Ohtani is the talk of the town after landing a massive contract. His agent, Nez Balelo, age 61, was significant in landing the record-breaking contract.
Ohtani had garnered much attention from baseball fans, as the free-agent hitter had multiple teams to choose from.
Finally, on Saturday afternoon, with the help of his agent Balelo, Ohtani landed a ten-year contract for $700 million with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Shohei Ohtani, born July 5, 1994, is a Japanese baseball pitcher and designated hitter known for his time with the Los Angeles Angels of the Major League Baseball (MLB).
Before playing in the Majors, Ohtani was the first pick for the Japanese team Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in the Nippon Professional Baseball’s (NPB) Pacific League.
Moreover, considered one of the best two-way players, Ohtani is the winner of the 2016 Japan Series. Then for his performance for the Angels, Ohtani was honored with the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year.
However, he gave an iconic performance for the Angels in 2021. Ohtani pitched for the Angeles, contributing to over a hundred strikeouts and ten-plus appearances.
Meanwhile, as a hitter for the team, he boasted over ten home runs and twenty-plus stolen bases. Ohtani was awarded with the 2021 American League Most Valuable Player.
Nez Balelo Age And Wikipedia
Nez Balelo is the prime example of the phrase age is just a number. At 61, the millionaire agent is far from slowing down.
Nez Balelo, born February 22, 1963, is a sports agent and a former baseball player who played shortstop and second baseman.
Balelo grew up in San Diego, California. He is a first-generation Portuguese-American of his family.
His playing career came to an unfortunate stop after suffering a career-ending injury. The Seattle Mariners’ fourth-round draftee was forced to retire early before getting a chance to play in the Major Leagues.
However, the injury couldn’t stop Balelo, as he soon started a developmental baseball school. Meanwhile, he signed with the Atlanta Braves system, starting his official journey as a scout.
After a decade of scouting for the Braves, he decided to sell his business and open a sports agency.
In just three years, Balelo became prominent, and his influence was undeniable. Meanwhile, IMG Sports Group signed Balelo on in a senior executive position.
In 2006, he joined the Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and started a sports group. With the CAA, Balelo contributed to over $4 billion worth of contract negotiations.
Forbes has featured him as one of the Top 50 Most Powerful sports agents in the world.
Record Breaking Contract
Ohtani and Balelo have successfully broken all previous records of contract deals, surpassing international athletes such as Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi.
But many fans have wondered if the Dodgers really can make it work. The massive amount to be paid and the ginormous contract length mean compromises and commitments from both parties.
However, thanks to Ohtani, the Dodgers can maintain flexibility in their payroll. Multiple reports suggest deferred payments were a vital part of this negotiation.
Nez Balelo clarified after releasing a statement, “He (Ohtani) is excited to begin this partnership, and he structured his contract to reflect a true commitment from both sides to long-term success.”
According to reports, the contract states that the Dodgers will defer $68 million per season and pay once the contract expires.
Moreover, the contract has no opt-outs, solidifying the commitment of the Dodgers and Ohtani.
