Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, have asked a Hawaii court to dismiss a $240 million lawsuit filed by a real estate developer and broker. The claim states that they actively ousted them from a luxury housing development after recruiting Ohtani to endorse it. Ohtani’s legal team says the plaintiffs misused his name, and the Dodgers’ star is the real victim in the case.
The lawsuit was filed on August 8 by developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and broker Tomoko Matsumoto. Shohei Ohtani and Balelo actively demanded the removal of their project partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, from the deal. The plaintiffs assert that Ohtani pursued this to secure financial gain through “unjust enrichment.”
Ohtani’s lawyers fired back, stating that Hayes and Matsumoto used Ohtani’s celebrity to market their own side project without permission or payment. They argue Balelo was simply protecting his client’s rights and that any action they took was justified.
“Balelo and (Ohtani), who were brought into the venture solely for (Ohtani’s) promotional and branding value, exploited their celebrity leverage to destabilize and ultimately dismantle Plaintiffs’ role in the project, for no reason other than their own financial self-interest,” the lawsuit claims via The Athletic.
Meanwhile, Ohtani is having an incredible run on the field while his offensive prowess continues.
This isn’t the first time Shohei Ohtani has actively faced legal proceedings. Last season, his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, admitted to stealing $17 million from Ohtani’s accounts amid a gambling scandal. Ohtani actively cleared his name of wrongdoing, while the interpreter now serves prison time.
Shohei Ohtani Continues To Dazzle Amid Off-Field Controversies
On the field, Ohtani continues to dazzle. This season, the three-time MVP has smashed 49 home runs and 93 RBIs. On the mound, the 31-year-old is posting a 3.75 ERA over 36 innings pitched this season, with 49 strikeouts. He remains the Dodgers’ most dangerous weapon and leading NL-MVP candidate.
Shohei Ohtani and Balelo’s lawyers will fight to dismiss the lawsuit, but Dodgers fans might not need to worry, as he has shown he can continue to block out off-field distractions and dominate on the field, keeping Los Angeles in the playoff race.
