Bay Area Sandwich Shop Spices Up Giants’ Shohei Ohtani Offer With New Twist

If the Giants are planning to give superstar Shohei Ohtani the record-breaking contract he’s expected to land, one fan vows to boost the front office’s best offer.

Ike Shehadeh, the founder of Bay Area sandwich staple Ike’s Love and Sandwiches, previously gave former Warriors star Kevin Durant free food for life. He also offered to name a sandwich after Aaron Judge last year, but the slugger spurned the Giants’ offer to re-sign with the Yankees.

“For you, Shohei, I’m going to one-up this,” Shehadeh said in a video posted to social media. “If you sign with the San Francisco Giants, not only will we design a sandwich together and you’ll get free Ike’s for life, but instead of Ike’s Love & Sandwiches, I’m going to rename it to Shohei’s Love & Sandwiches.”

Yo @ShoheiOhtani , let's do this! If you sign with the @SFGiants I will create a sandwich with you, you'll get free Ikes for life AND I'll change the name of the Ike's Love & Sandwiches to Shoei's Love & Sandwiches. Are you in? #shoheiohtani ##sfgiants #mlb #freegency #ikes pic.twitter.com/gu9Y6HH2cE

— Ike Shehadeh ???????? (@IkeShehadeh) November 30, 2023

The Giants entered the offseason with Ohtani as their No. 1 free-agent target. ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Friday that it’s currently “unknown” where San Francisco stands in the Ohtani sweepstakes among known suitors in the Dodgers, Cubs, Blue Jays and Angels.

Ohtani is anticipated to land a contract well over $500 million. But if he signs with the Giants, Ohtani can add the naming rights to an iconic sandwich shop and a tasty spot on the menu to his expected offer.