Fans share mixed reaction to Dodgers’ new partnership to produce sake with Tokyo-based company

The Los Angeles Dodgers not only know what it takes to lift the World Championship trophy but have also mastered the art of leaving an indelible mark on the Japanese map. With a few significant faces from Japan, including the designated hitter Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and the newly acquired pitching prodigy Roki Sasaki already in the team, the Dodgers announced a partnership with a Tokyo-based company, Hakkaisan Brewery Co. Ltd
Where on one side a few MLB fans pointed out the so-called monopoly of the Dodgers over the Japanese market, on the other side a few of them even celebrated the team’s partnership with the Tokyo-based company.

The Los Angeles Dodgers entered into a partnership with a Tokyo-based brand, Hakkaisan Brewery Co. Ltd., ahead of the opening day in Japan. USA Today’s reputed MLB columnist Bob Nightengale posted about the recent partnership of the Dodgers with the Japanese beverage company. His post mentioned:
"The Dodgers land in Tokyo, and the money keeps pouring in. They announce yet another sponsorship agreement with a Japanese company, this time with Hakkaisan Brewery Co. It will make the company’s sake products at select Dodger Stadium concession locations and stadium events."

MLB fans reacted to the Dodgers’ collaboration with the Hakkaisan Brewery Co. Ltd. and even took a dig at the team’s monopoly over the Japanese baseball athletes and consumer market. A fan pointed out that the Dodgers are promoting alcohol to children.
“Dodgers promoting alcohol to children, we hate to see it.”

An X user even mentioned that the Dodgers have a monopoly on the Japanese baseball players.
“Dodgers have a monopoly on Japanese baseball players; they all want to play on the West Coast Dodgers outbid all other west coast teams who sure can’t compete with Dodgers $.”

An MLB fan even pointed out what lies next for the Dodgers.
“I told you this was coming. Next. Dodger Dog Sushi, Raw or Cooked.”

An X user straightaway mentioned that nobody cares about the Dodgers.
"Bob, nobody cares about the Dodgers.”

An X user even took a jibe at the Dodgers’ designated hitter, Shohei Ohtani.
"Ohtani should have asked for equity."

Whereas a few Dodger fans were happy with the MLB team’s partnership with the Japan-based beverage company. A Dodgers’ fan mentioned Ohtani and Yamamoto as two of the best players acquired by the team.
“Bringing in Shohei and following it up with Yamamoto and Sasaki will be one of the best business decisions an ownership group has ever made, let alone the baseball success.”

An MLB fan even praised the team.
“This franchise is set for eternity.”

An X user pointed out the Dodgers sponsorships and collaborations.
“The number of sponsorship deals the Dodgers have ranks them 25th of out the 30 clubs; they represent a staggering amount of the team total for sponsorships. Combined with the Yankees, at close to $300 million for 2024, the sponsorship revenue total exceeds many clubs in the NFL.”

A Dodgers fan even mentioned the plus point of having Shohei Ohtani on the team.
“And the haters say that Ohtani's contract was bad for the game. The sponsorships from Japan will pay every penny of it.”

“Just think if more MLB teams sign international players what could happen.”

According to the multi-year partnership of the Los Angeles Dodgers with the Tokyo-based beverage brand, the company’s sake products would be available at the listed Dodgers’ stadium and would even have in-stadium promotion and activities with respect to the marketing of the product.