"The average ticket price for the Dodgers' home opener is $533 (about 710,000 won)."
The LA Dodgers are smiling brightly at the Otani effect. The LA Times reported on Monday (Korea time) that the Dodgers' ticket prices are soaring this season, regardless of home or away from home. According to StubHub, the average price of a ticket for the Dodgers' home opener (against St. Louis Cardinals on March 29) is 533 dollars. The average price of a ticket for the New York Yankees and Dodgers match at Yankee Stadium on June 9 is 122 dollars (160,000 won). 스포츠중계
The LA Dodgers' FA contract with Ohtani for 10 years and $700 million is not just aimed at boosting power. It is also very important to use Ohtani's ticket power to contribute to the club's business. As Ohtani is a walking company, the economic effects of the Dodgers holding Ohtani for 10 years are expected to be enormous.
What's surprising is the power of Japanese fans. According to the Los Angeles Times, one out of every five tickets sold to the Dodgers this year was purchased by Japanese fans. This exceeds what Japan's biggest travel agency sold in packages.
With the Dodgers holding Ohtani, Japanese fans have been accepted as new consumers. The Dodgers is expected to be much different from Japanese Major Leaguers who played for Dodgers in the past. The Los Angeles Times said, "The Dodgers has led the Major League for 10 consecutive years. However, with Ohtani emerging as a global star, Dodgers ticket sales and price have risen tremendously this year due to the recruitment of Ohtani."
The Los Angeles Dodgers visited Korea on Wednesday. The Seoul Series starts from Friday. The two consecutive games against the San Diego Padres from Friday to Sunday are the two games that officially open this season's Major League Baseball games. Dodgers will play an away game on Tuesday and a home game on Saturday. Therefore, the official opening game of the Dodgers will be the game against San Diego to be held at Gocheok Sky Dome on Sunday.
However, the actual opening game will be four consecutive home games against the St. Louis Cardinals, which will take place at Dodger Stadium from Friday to Sunday. Dodgers will return to the U.S. immediately after the Seoul Series ends, and prepare for its fourth consecutive home game. It will hold three consecutive exhibition games against the Los Angeles Angels from Friday to Sunday, and will prepare for its home opening game.
The LA Times said, "According to StubHub, the Dodgers sold more tickets this season than any other major league team. Ohtani's impact on ticket sales can be compared to Lionel Messi's impact on ticket sales of Major League Soccer."
