ANA to be official Japanese airline of Ohtani's LA Dodgers

ANA Holdings said on Tuesday it reached a multi-year deal to be the official Japanese airline for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the new team of baseball star Shohei Ohtani. Japan has been awash in Dodgers imagery and merchandise since national hero Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700m contract with the team in December after six years with the Los Angeles Angels. But Ohtani has an individual sponsorship deal with ANA competitor Japan Airlines (JAL). He gave a video address to new JAL employees on Monday. ANA, Japan's biggest airline, began non-stop service to Los Angeles in 1986 and now operates three round trips a day between Tokyo airports and the Californian metropolis, the company said. The carrier will also collaborate with the Dodgers in celebrating Japanese culture at heritage nights events, according to a statement.<br/>