Angels News: Shohei Ohtani's Dodgers Jersey Already Breaking Sales Records

This has to hurt the Angels to see...

It's been a tough last few days for the Los Angeles Angels. Not only did they watch their franchise player head up the I-5 freeway to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, but now they are living with the fact that his new jersey is already breaking sales records.

In the 48-hour mark, Ohtani now holds the Fanatics' all-time record for highest jersey sales. This is the Ohtani effect but also has to do with the brand of the Dodgers.

The Shohei effect. 📈

Shohei Ohtani now holds Fanatics’ all-time record for highest sales within the first 48 hours of a jersey release. pic.twitter.com/lnwhe4z3qL

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 14, 2023

This passed Lionel Messi's record when he joined Inter Miami a few months ago. The No. 17 jersey flew off the Fanatics site like a Black Friday sale with fans swarming to get his new jersey.

This likely wasn't all Dodgers fans, but just supporters of Ohtani himself. This is why the team paid him the record-setting 10-year, $700 million contract.

Ohtani hasn't even been formally introduced by the Dodgers yet, and he is already breaking records for them. He is a once-in-a-lifetime talent, and people want to be a part of that with his jersey.

The Angels sold a ton of jerseys while he was with them, but the Dodgers are one of the premier organizations in the game. It was always expected he would have this type of effect on his new team, but these record-breaking numbers are insane.