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Los Angeles Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Shohei Ohtani ‘focused on what the team is doing,' not distraction of Hawaii real estate lawsuit
Shohei Ohtani's name is in headlines again. And, for the second time in two years, not for baseball reasons. News emerged this week that Ohtani, the Dodgers' two-way star and reigning National League MVP, was being sued along with his agent in Hawaii by a real estate investor and broker. The claim: That Ohtani and his representative, Nez Balelo of Creative Artists Agency, had the plaintiffs fired from a $240 million luxury housing development that Ohtani had been contracted to help endorse. The contours of the case are complicated; relating to contract law, tortious interference and two years of alleged disputes between Balelo and the plaintiffs, developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto, leading up to their termination from the project. But as it pertains to Ohtani and this current Dodgers season, only one question really matters: Will the situation create any distraction for him off the field? When pressed on that Wednesday, he quickly shut the idea down. 'I'm focused on what the team is doing,' Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. 'And doing everything in my power to make sure we bring a W on the field.' According to the lawsuit, Hayes and Matsumoto reached an endorsement deal with Ohtani in 2023 for their luxury housing development on Hawaii's Big Island. The Japanese star was not only to be a spokesperson for the project, but also a resident committed to purchasing one of the development's 14 residences as an offseason home. However, the lawsuit claimed, Balelo increasingly demanded unspecified concessions (the details of which were redacted in the filing) over the last two years from Hayes and Matsumoto — becoming what it described as a 'disruptive force' who 'inserted himself into every aspect of the relationship.' Last month, the lawsuit alleged, Balelo went to Hayes' and Matsumoto's business partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, and threatened litigation if the two weren't terminated from the project. 'Kingsbarn openly admitted … that Balelo had demanded the terminations and that they were being done solely to placate him,' the lawsuit said. 'Specifically, Kingsbarn acknowledged that Balelo had threatened to drag Kingsbarn into a separate lawsuit unless it terminated Hayes and Matsumoto.' The lawsuit also claims that Balelo's supposed threat of litigation — which pertained to the use of Ohtani's name, image and likeness rights being used to promote a seperate real estate project on Hawaii's Big Island — was 'baseless,' amounting to an 'abuse of power' by Ohtani's longtime agent to 'force a business partner to betray its contractual obligations and strip Plaintiffs of the very project they conceived and built.' A Kingsbarn spokesperson told The Athletic this week that the allegations 'are completely frivolous and without merit,' and that 'Kingsbarn takes full responsibility for its actions regarding Kevin Hayes and for removing Tomoko Matsumoto as the project's broker.' Ohtani's direct involvement in the dispute appears limited. According to a person with knowledge of the situation who wasn't authorized to speak publicly, the plaintiffs dealt almost exclusively with Balelo, who has represented Ohtani since he came to the major leagues from Japan before the 2018 season. Still, because Balelo was acting on behalf of Ohtani, the superstar was included as a defendant as well. That means — just like in March 2024, when scandal swirled around Ohtani after his former interpreter was found to have stolen money from his bank accounts to pay off illegal gambling debts — Ohtani has another potential disturbance to navigate off the field. Granted, Ohtani hardly seemed affected by last year's controversy, helping the Dodgers win the World Series while winning the third MVP award of his career. And this current lawsuit, according to attorney and legal expert Arash Sadat of Mills Sadat Dowlat LLP, presents a much more standard type of legal dispute often seen around real estate deals. 'This kind of stuff happens all the time,' Sadat said. 'They're not rare at all.' Sadat noted that, based on the lawsuit, it's not clear 'what Shohei knew and didn't know' when it came to Balelo's alleged interactions with the plaintiffs. 'All of the allegations in the complaint relate to conduct by his agent,' Sadat said. 'If the plaintiffs in this case could show any direct involvement by Ohtani, you can bet that would have been included in the complaint.' If the case were to proceed without a resolution, it is possible Ohtani could eventually be required to give a deposition detailing his knowledge of the alleged events. That, however, is not something that would happen imminently. And even if it did, Sadat added, it's unclear whether his testimony would even be released publicly, given that large swaths of redactions in the original lawsuit of seemingly proprietary business information. Sadat speculated the chances of the case ever going to trial as slim. The overwhelming majority of such lawsuits are typically settled or dismissed well before then. 'Real estate tends to bring out emotions in people,' Sadat said. 'You have a high-profile real estate developer. You have a high-profile real estate agent. You have a sports agent over at CAA. You're talking about big egos here. And when that happens, and someone feels slighted, oftentimes… litigation is the result.'
Tokyo Weekender
14-08-2025
- Business
- Tokyo Weekender
Lawsuit Filed Against Ohtani and Agent Over $240m Hawaii Real Estate Project
It's been another eventful week for baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani. He smashed his 42nd and 43rd homers of the season on Monday and Tuesday, but also saw his name plastered over the front pages of newspapers after it was revealed that a Hawaii real estate investor and broker had issued a lawsuit against him and his agent. They claim the pair got them fired from a $240 million luxury housing development on the Hapuna Coast that Ohtani was brought in to endorse. List of Contents: The Lawsuit Against Ohtani and His Agent Kingsbarn Denies the Allegations Ohtani Tops the NL Home Run Leaderboard Related Posts The Lawsuit Against Ohtani and His Agent According to The Associated Press (AP) , the lawsuit was filed in the Hawaii Circuit Court last Friday by Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and Tomoko Matsumoto. They claim that Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, used their 'celebrity leverage to destabilize and ultimately dismantle' their role in the project. According to the suit, this was done 'for no reason other than their own financial self-interest.' Hayes and Matsumoto were subsequently dropped from the deal by their business partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital. The two men reportedly reached an agreement with Ohtani and Balelo in 2023 to use the player as a celebrity endorser for a housing project in Hawaii designed to attract luxury property buyers. The cost of the properties was, on average, around $17.3 million each. According to Hayes and Matsumoto, the pair had been working on the project since 2013. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs describe Balelo as a 'disruptive force' who 'inserted himself into every aspect of the relationship.' Kingsbarn Denies the Allegations 'This case is about abuse of power,' read the lawsuit. 'Defendants used threats and baseless legal claims to force a business partner to betray its contractual obligations and strip the plaintiffs of the very project they conceived and built.' It added that the defendants 'must be held accountable for their actions, not shielded by fame or behind-the-scenes agents acting with impunity.' Kingsbarn called the allegations 'completely frivolous and without merit.' Balelo's agency has, thus far, declined to comment. Large parts of the lawsuit are redacted, so it is unclear whether Ohtani had any direct involvement in the alleged behavior. This, though, is not the first time he has had to deal with off-field legal issues as a Dodgers player. In March 2024, he fired his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara after it came to light that he misappropriated $16.59 million from one of Ohtani's accounts to repay illegal gambling debts. Earlier this year, Mizuhara was sentenced to 57 months in prison. Ohtani Tops the NL Home Run Leaderboard That revelation certainly didn't have an adverse effect on Ohtani's game last year. He was named the National League's (NL) MVP and became the first member of MLB's 50-50 club (50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a season), helping his side secure their second World Series in five years. That form has continued into 2025. His 43rd home run of the season on Tuesday was his fourth in as many games and put him top of the NL leaderboard. Cal Raleigh is the overall MLB leader with 45. Discover Tokyo, Every Week Get the city's best stories, under-the-radar spots and exclusive invites delivered straight to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy . Related Posts Shohei Ohtani Denies Any Involvement in Gambling Scandal Shohei Ohtani's Interpreter Ippei Mizuhara Fired After 'Massive Theft' Claim Ohtani Produces One of the Greatest Ever Individual MLB Performances
Time of India
13-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Shohei Ohtani, agent face lawsuit over alleged $240 million Hawaii real estate deal sabotage
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo , are facing a lawsuit in Hawaii accusing them of derailing a $240 million luxury housing project. In a complaint filed Friday in Hawaii Circuit Court, developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto allege that Ohtani and Balelo's interference led their business partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital , to remove them from The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort development. The suit claims Balelo first sought concessions from Hayes and Matsumoto, then pressured Kingsbarn to terminate them - threatening that Ohtani would withdraw his endorsement of the project. Hayes and Matsumoto also say the pair tried to undermine their role in another planned development. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program The plaintiffs are suing for tortious interference and unjust enrichment. Hayes has decades of experience in development, while Matsumoto had been slated as the project's listing agent. "Kingsbarn openly admitted ... that Balelo had demanded the terminations and that they were being done solely to placate him," according to the suit. "Plaintiffs stand to lose millions of dollars in compensation tied to projected homebuilding profit, construction management fees, and broker commissions." Ohtani was enlisted to add promotional star power to the venture, but the lawsuit claims he and Balelo instead 'used their celebrity influence to undermine and ultimately remove the Plaintiffs from the project - motivated solely by their own financial gain'. Live Events According to Kingsbarn Realty Capital's website, The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort will feature 14 custom single-family homes spread across 17 acres, each exceeding 7,000 square feet and offering 'unparalleled views of the Hawaiian coastline'. The development is surrounded by two golf courses and is aimed primarily at buyers in the US and Japan. The site also notes that Ohtani would be the first resident, having already chosen his lot in the project, where the average home price is $17.3 million. Ohtani, 31, is Japan's biggest sports star and one of the most marketable athletes in the world. Forbes estimates he earned $60 million in endorsements in 2024 alone. Before the 2024 season, he signed a record 10-year, $700 million deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. This isn't the first time Ohtani's name has surfaced in legal matters. Last year, his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara was accused of stealing nearly $17 million from him. Mizuhara later pleaded guilty and received a 57-month prison sentence.
Boston Globe
13-08-2025
- Business
- Boston Globe
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and agent accused of sabotaging $240 million Hawaii real estate deal
Advertisement The suit accuses Ohtani and Balelo of tortious interference and unjust enrichment. Hayes, a developer with 40 years of experience, and Matsumoto, who was to be the listing agent for the houses averaging $17.3 million each, say that Ohtani and Balelo also tried to undermine their interests in a second, neighboring venture. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'This case is about abuse of power,' the lawsuit says. 'Defendants used threats and baseless legal claims to force a business partner to betray its contractual obligations and strip Plaintiffs of the very project they conceived and built. 'Defendants must be held accountable for their actions, not shielded by fame or behind-the-scenes agents acting with impunity. 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.' Advertisement A spokesman for Balelo's agency, CAA Baseball, declined comment. In a statement emailed to The Associated Press on Tuesday, Kingsbarn called the allegations 'completely frivolous and without merit.' 'Kingsbarn takes full responsibility for its actions regarding Kevin Hayes and for removing Tomoko Matsumoto as the project's broker,' the company said. Ohtani, 31, arrived from Japan in 2018 as perhaps the most heralded international star in baseball history, with an ability to both pitch and hit that made him doubly valuable to his team. A five-time All-Star and three-time Most Valuable Player, he signed a record 10-year, $700-million contract with the Dodgers before last season and helped the team win the 2024 World Series. Investment materials for The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort, which remained online on Monday night, listed Hayes and Matsumoto as part of the management team, along with Kingsbarn. It called Ohtani 'Japan's Babe Ruth' and the '1st Resident,' giving him top billing ahead of the iconic Mauna Kea Resort, 'one of the most celebrated hotels in Hawaii,' Hapuna Beach, 'rated the #1 beach in America by Conde Nast Traveler' and two golf courses – one designed by Arnold Palmer, the other by Robert Trent Jones Sr. 'Ohtani will act as the celebrity spokesperson for the project and has committed to purchasing one of the 14 residences within the project,' the brochure says. 'He also intends to spend significant time at The Vista in the off-season and will construct a small hitting and pitching facility for preseason training.' The suit says the developers spent 11 years working on the deal and 'as part of a bold marketing strategy' signed an endorsement deal in 2023 with Ohtani, 'one of the most high-profile endorsements imaginable.' Advertisement 'This partnership with Ohtani will elevate the demand and create buzz within the Japanese luxury vacation home market, which is a primary target audience for the project,' the investment brochure said. 'We see Shohei Ohtani's homeownership as having a significant impact on the global exposure of the project and expect to accelerate the pace of sales, thereby helping us achieve our pricing objectives.' The suit said Balelo 'quickly became a disruptive force,' threatening to pull Ohtani from the deal if concessions weren't made. 'Kingsbarn began capitulating to Balelo's every whim,' the suit said. 'Over time, it became increasingly obvious that Kingsbarn was more concerned about preserving its relationship with (Ohtani) than honoring its obligations to its business partners.' Last month, in what the suit called 'a coordinated ambush,' Kingsbarn fired Hayes and Matsumoto. 'Kingsbarn openly admitted during the call that Balelo had demanded the terminations and that they were being done solely to placate him,' the suit said. 'Plaintiffs stand to lose millions of dollars in compensation tied to projected homebuilding profit, construction management fees, and broker commissions.'
Hindustan Times
12-08-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Shohei Ohtani's agent Nez Balelo's whopping net worth revealed amid Hawaii real estate row
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, have been sued for allegedly pushing out a Hawaii luxury real estate developer and broker out of a $240 million deal. The civil lawsuit was filed in the Hawaii Circuit Court on Friday. Developer Kevin J Hayes Sr and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto claim that Ohtani used his popularity to interfere in the deal. Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) celebrates with teammates after hitting a home run (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) In the lawsuit, Hayes Sr and Matsumoto said that they had been working with Kingsbarn Realty Capital on The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort, a project featuring 14 custom homes on 17 acres along the Hawaiian coastline. Each residence is designed to exceed 7,000 square feet, with an average price of $17.3 million, and Ohtani was slated to be the first resident. Hayes Sr was serving as a developer, while Matsumoto had been tapped as the listing agent. The complaint alleges Balelo pressured Hayes and Matsumoto for concessions before demanding that Kingsbarn terminate them. The lawsuit claims Kingsbarn admitted the decision was made solely to satisfy Balelo's threats that Ohtani would withdraw his endorsement if the two men stayed on the project. The plaintiffs further accused Ohtani and Balelo of 'exploiting celebrity leverage' to eliminate them from the venture, costing them millions in anticipated profits, management fees, and commissions. They are suing for tortious interference and unjust enrichment, and also allege the pair tried to hinder their role in a second development. Kingsbarn's promotional materials state the Mauna Kea project will be marketed primarily to US and Japanese buyers. Ohtani's name was brought in to boost sales appeal, leveraging his star power in both markets. The 31-year-old Dodgers player is Japan's most famous athlete, earning an estimated $60 million in endorsements in 2024, on top of his 10-year, $700 million MLB contract. Balelo's agency, CAA Baseball, declined to comment when contacted by the New York Post. We checked Forbes to find out that Balelo has a whopping net worth. As per the website he is worth about $39 million. This is not the first time Ohtani has been linked to legal matters. In 2024, his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani and was sentenced to 57 months in prison.
