Shohei Ohtani Is Getting His Own Version of One of New Balance’s Flagship Sneakers

Ian Servantes

13 March 2025 at 12:21 pm·2-min read

Shohei Ohtani’s footwear is moving from the diamond to the streets, as the two-way superstar is getting his first sneaker from New Balance.

The New Balance 990v6 “Shohei Ohtani” is a subtle tribute to the Japanese baseball player on one of the brand’s most iconic silhouettes. Blue mesh serves as the shoe’s base and is overlaid with nubuck panels in green and cream. The midsole carries a partially aged look as well as sections of green and grey on the heel and sits above black outsole. No overt marks for Ohtani appear on the shoe’s surface, but his baserunner logo that debuted last year is printed on the insole.

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Ohtani put pen to paper on a longterm New Balance deal in 2023 prior to his final season with the Los Angeles Angels, in which he led the MLB in home runs for the first time and was was awarded his first Hank Aaron Award and second MVP title. The announcement coincided with the debut of a limited-edition 574 Cleat, though it wasn’t Ohtani’s. His first New Balance collection followed last summer with a range of apparel and a signature cleat.

New Balance launched the 990 series in 1982, and the sixth and current edition was introduced near the end of 2022. It incorporates elements of the 990v3 and 990v4 as part of a streamlined upper, and its chunkier sole unit makes use of modern FuelCell cushioning for superior comfort.

The New Balance 990v6 “Shohei Ohtani” will release Saturday, March 15, exclusively on New Balance’s Japanese website along with a range of “Made For Shohei Ohtani” apparel. It’ll be difficult to get a pair stateside, but it could happen by enlisting a proxy service.

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