Shohei Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, are facing a lawsuit in Hawaii that accuses them of sabotaging a $240 million luxury development project on the Big Island.
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According to court documents obtained by Jimmy Golen of The Associated Press, real estate developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and broker Tomoko Matsumoto claim Ohtani and Balelo had them removed from the project "for no reason other than their own financial self-interest." The suit alleges Ohtani was brought in for his promotional value but then used "threats and baseless legal claims" to push the founders out.
"Defendants must be held accountable for their actions, not shielded by fame or behind-the-scenes agents acting with impunity," the lawsuit states. "Plaintiffs bring this suit to expose Defendants' misconduct and to ensure that the rules of contract, fair dealing, and accountability apply equally to all — celebrity or not."
The complaint also accuses Ohtani and Balelo of attempting to push them out of a neighboring development project.
The Hapuna Beach property in question is billed as one of the world's premier beachfront locations, with homes averaging more than $17 million each. Matsumoto was slated to be the listing agent, while a project brochure described Ohtani — referred to as "Japan's Babe Ruth" — as committed to purchasing one of the 14 properties and serving as a "celebrity spokesperson."
Ohtani, 31, signed a 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers before the 2024 season. This year, he is batting .284 with 42 home runs, 78 RBI, and a 1.013 OPS. He has also returned to pitching, posting a 2.37 ERA over 19 innings.
Ohtani was linked to a high-profile gambling investigation last year, but Major League Baseball concluded he was not guilty of any wrongdoing.
