Dodgers fans might have Kobe Bryant to thank for their recent acquisition of two-way phenom Shohei Ohtani. The team reportedly utilized an old video of Kobe Bryant in their free-agent pitch to Ohtani.
The approximately one-minute video, filmed in 2017, was initially intended for the Dodgers’ pursuit of Ohtani during the 2017 offseason, which ultimately saw him sign with the Angels. In the video, Bryant, the late NBA legend, emphasized that there’s no better place to win in Los Angeles, specifically at Dodger Stadium.
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Via ESPN:
Taking up a fraction of the three hours Ohtani spent with the team’s upper management at Dodger Stadium on Dec. 1. But in that sliver of time, on the screen for Ohtani was a figure long associated with Los Angeles sports excellence making the case for him to sign with the Dodgers.
Kobe Bryant.
Despite choosing the Angels at that time, Ohtani recently signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers during the MLB offseason. The video, Bryant’s enduring legacy, and the allure of winning in Los Angeles could have played a role in Ohtani’s decision to join the Dodgers after six years with the Angels.
Ohtani’s signing has solidified his status as the biggest sports star in Hollywood, following in the footsteps of Kobe Bryant, who remains a motivating presence even years after his tragic passing.
