Los Angeles Dodgers phenom Shohei Ohtani is widely recognized as one of the most versatile baseball players of his generation. And now it seems that flexibility extends off the diamond as Ohtani is aligning with Syncron, a subsidiary of Japanese conglomerate Kowa, to add another beverage to his brand partnership portfolio.
In a press release, Syncron said its line of pre- and post-workout beverages made without caffeine was “created alongside” the World Series champ.
Syncron drinks contain L-citrulline, L-arginine, taurine, and BCAAs among other ingredients to provide an energy boost and promote recovery before and after an intense workout. The brand comes in 16 oz. recyclable aluminum bottles featuring Ohtani’s image and is launching in Grapefruit and Watermelon Kiwi flavors.
The brand is now launching in retail in Southern California and will soon add brick-and-mortar doors in Arizona, Nevada and Utah at $3.99 per 16 oz. bottle. The drinks can also be purchased on Amazon and direct-to-consumer.
“From training to recovery, Syncron helps me go harder, longer, and come back stronger,” said Ohtani in a press release. “Syncron fuels me to outdo yesterday.”
Last year, Ohtani joined Japanese tea maker ITO EN as a global brand ambassador for its Oi Ocha brand of bottled green teas and earlier this year the company launched a limited edition bottle with the five-time MLB All-Star.
Ohtani’s long list of endorsement deals alone are expected to earn him over $100 million in 2025, with a number of Japan-based businesses and clothing brands among his partnerships.
But Syncron brings Ohtani closer to the company behind the scenes – though it wasn’t clear if he has any financial stake in the business and online listings for the product say it is “Endorsed” by Ohtani.
Syncron appears to be the latest in a line of brands developed in partnership with star athletes in order to create formulations that mean the needs of top-level performers – see, also, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry’s involvement in the launch of PLEZi’s hydration drink line.
“With Shohei’s partnership, Syncron is redefining the performance beverage category by combining the right ingredients, mindful formulations, and sustainable packaging,” said Jason Schwenck, Managing Director KOWA-Syncron, in the release. “We’re excited to offer products that help consumers perform, recover, and thrive.”