SPORTICO: MLB Tokyo Series Marks Biggest-Selling Event in Fanatics History

The Shohei Ohtani (and more) effect was strong for Fanatics during MLB’s two-game, season-opening Tokyo Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.

In a rare release of sale figures by the ubiquitous retailer, Fanatics announced that it generated $40 million in fan gear and trading card sales, making the series the biggest-selling event in company history. That total includes sales in multiple retail channels both online and in-person, in Japan as well as in the U.S.

A limited-edition collection from Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, which was sold at Complex and Fanatics pop-up stores in Tokyo and Los Angeles, sold out on the Fanatics app in less than an hour. Most of those products sold out within 15 minutes…