Shohei Ohtani in the eye of the storm over multi-million dollar lawsuit
Lawsuit alleges Ohtani and agent Balelo engaged in unlawful interference and unjust enrichment.
It’s been a roller-coaster start to the week for Shohei Ohtani. On Monday night, he belted his 42nd home run in the Dodgers’ loss to his former team, the Angels, moving back into a tie with Kyle Schwarber for the National League lead. By Tuesday morning, his name wasn’t just in the sports pages — it was on a high-profile lawsuit that could pull him into a legal battle far from the diamond.
According to an Associated Press report, a Hawaii real estate developer and a broker accuse the Japanese star and his agent, Nez Balelo, of maneuvering to push them out of a $240 million luxury project on the Hapuna coast of the Big Island. The complaint, filed Friday in Hawaii Circuit Court, claims Ohtani and Balelo used their celebrity influence to displace the plaintiffs without cause, profiting at their expense.
One of the most desirable developments in the United States
The plaintiffs — Kevin J. Hayes Sr., a 40-year industry veteran, and Tomoko Matsumoto, who was slated to be the sales agent — allege Ohtani and Balelo “exploited their celebrity status to destabilize and dismantle” their role in a development pitched as one of the most desirable in the United States.
The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort was to feature 14 residences averaging $17.3 million each, with exclusive access to Hapuna Beach, named the best beach in the country by Condé Nast Traveler, plus golf courses designed by Arnold Palmer and Robert Trent Jones Sr. Promotional materials billed Ohtani as “the Babe Ruth of Japan” and “First Resident,” with plans for a private hitting and pitching complex for his offseason use.
The lawsuit claims Balelo “quickly became a disruptive force,” pressuring majority partner Kingsbarn Realty Capital to alter agreements and ultimately fire Hayes and Matsumoto in what they call a “coordinated ambush.” The plaintiffs say Kingsbarn “acquiesced to every whim” of the agent, prioritizing ties to Ohtani over contractual obligations.
They contend the fallout could cost them millions in projected profits, management fees, and commissions. “This case is about abuse of power,” the suit states. “Defendants used threats and baseless demands to force a business partner to breach obligations and strip plaintiffs of the very project they conceived and built.”
A spokesperson for CAA Baseball, which represents Balelo, declined comment to the AP, and Kingsbarn executives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Baseball royalty Ohtani
Ohtani, 31, joined MLB in 2018 as one of the most heralded international signings ever, with the rare ability to excel as both pitcher and hitter. A five-time All-Star and three-time MVP, he signed a record 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers last year, capping his first Los Angeles season with a 2024 World Series title over the Yankees in five games.
Now, even as he keeps launching home runs — three straight games and four in his last five — Ohtani faces a far different challenge: defending a reputation built on discipline, excellence, and a spotless record from a lawsuit mixing luxury, business, and allegations of abuse of power in the Hawaiian paradise.
Another public hit for Ohtani
Just last year, Ohtani’s image took its first major hit off the field when his then-interpreter and personal assistant, Ippei Mizuhara, was accused of stealing millions to cover illegal gambling debts. Federal and MLB investigations cleared Ohtani of involvement or knowledge of the fraud, but the episode left a cloud of controversy over his name and forced him into an uncharacteristic media storm.
Now, this new legal fight in Hawaii — though entirely unrelated — inevitably revives echoes of that chapter. For a player whose global brand rests on discipline, excellence, and integrity, any headline beyond baseball is a risky play that could reshape the narrative of MLB’s cleanest superstar.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.