Latest news with #CreativeArtsAgency
New York Times
12-08-2025
- Business
- New York Times
Lawsuit accuses Shohei Ohtani, agent of interfering with $240 million Hawaii development
Two Hawaii-based real estate developers are suing Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, claiming Balelo got them fired from a $240 million luxury housing project that was a decade-plus in the making. The lawsuit claimed that Balelo, employed by the Creative Arts Agency, conducted 'a calculated and unlawful scheme' to interfere with the development, of which Ohtani was a public-facing sponsor. He purchased a $17 million home in the development, part of the Mauna Kea Resort. Advertisement Balelo and Ohtani allegedly violated the developer's contractual rights by demanding concessions and with the subsequent firing of Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and Tomoko Matsumoto, according to the lawsuit. The claim was filed in Hawaii Circuit Court. 'This is just a very standard business dispute,' a person familiar with the defendant's side of the case told The Athletic. They were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, citing the litigation. 'It's sad that someone would unfairly attack innocent parties as a way of distracting from their own bad behavior.' According to the complaint, Balelo issued an ultimatum to Kingsbarn Realty Capital LLC, the plaintiff's business partner, demanding Hayes' and Matsumoto's removal from the project, or they'd face potential retaliatory litigation centered around a violation of Ohtani's Name Image and Likeness rights. Kingsbarn did not respond to a request for comment. Josh Schiller, head of sports and gaming at Boies Schiller Flexner LLP, which represents Hayes and Matsumoto, said they tried to negotiate a resolution privately with the defendants, but were unable to resolve the matter. The plaintiffs claim that Balelo and Ohtani 'exploited their celebrity leverage to destabilize and ultimately dismantle Plaintiff's role in the project — for no other reason than their financial self-interest.' They'd been brought onto the project, according to the filing 'solely for Ohtani's promotional and branding value.' Balelo, Schiller said, was the only person that his clients dealt with. Though it remains unclear if Ohtani was aware of Balelo's alleged actions, Schiller said they intend to investigate. 'The agent was doing business on his behalf, so he's responsible for the agent ultimately,' Schiller told The Athletic. Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers in December 2023, and went on to win his third MVP and first World Series in Los Angeles last season. Advertisement According to Sportico, he will earn $100 million in endorsements in 2025 alone, with the next highest – Aaron Judge and Juan Soto — each earning $7 million. The filing states that Hayes and Matsumoto conceived of the project in 2013, and that they were responsible for securing Ohtani's endorsement deal in 2023. They made this investment 'in hopes that Ohtani's star power would attract other high-net-worth individuals to purchase properties.' The plaintiffs allege that Balelo became 'a destructive force' by inserting himself 'into every aspect of the relationship.' They alleged that he responded to business matters with 'stonewalling and hostility,' while threatening default if he didn't get his way. 'Kingsbarn began capitulating to Balelo's every whim,' the plaintiff's lawyers wrote in the filing, noting that Hayes was essentially shut out of the project. On July 17, Hayes was removed as Managing Member and Matsumoto was fired as the listing broker, with Kingsbarn allegedly stating Balelo had demanded it. Large portions of the lawsuit are redacted. The plaintiffs filed a subsequent request to lift the redactions from the initial complaint, stating they 'pertain to information about the terms and conditions of certain contractual agreements' between Ohtani and the developers. Ultimately, Schiller believes that Balelo's alleged threats to counter-sue or default on the aforementioned contractual agreement were empty. 'I don't think they have a basis for that,' Schiller said. 'I don't think they have a basis to do that. There is no NIL breach here; they can allege one occurred, but evidence will show that was manufactured.' (Top photo of Ohtani and Balelo: Kirby Lee / Imagn) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Kelly Ripa's daughter shares rare glimpse inside rich kid romance with wealthy British boyfriend
On Sunday, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos ' nepo baby Lola Grace Consuelos celebrated 'another year of pure magic' dating her 'heavenly' boyfriend, Cassius Kidston. It's unclear precisely when the 23-year-old native New Yorker began dating the 25-year-old Englishman, but they originally met while attending New York University. Cassius didn't technically appear on Lola's social media until October 2022 - five months after he graduated with a BS in sports management, and seven months before she graduated with a degree in music and production. In Consuelos' Instagram slideshow, she and Kidston could be seen hobnobbing at a posh outdoor event while dressed to the nines. Since February, Cassius has been employed as a sports talent sales assistant at Creative Arts Agency, but he previously worked as a sales and research analyst for his father Simon Kidston's company, Kidston SA. The 57-year-old multi-millionaire has been a self-described 'upmarket used car dealer' since 2006, earning five percent of the sales price of each classic vehicle he sells. Simon - who splits his time between Dubai, London, Milan, and Geneva - has celebrity clients like fashion designer Ralph Lauren, Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason, Ferrari collector Jean-Pierre Slavic, and industrial designer Marc Newson. Kidston's cousin Cath Kidston used to run Cath Kidston Limited, which still sells home furnishings and clothing online through NEXT. Cath's grandfather and Simon's uncle Glen Kidston was a successful aviator and racing driver for Bentley in the 1920s. Cassius didn't technically appear on Lola's social media until October 2022 (pictured) - five months after he graduated with a BS in sports management, and seven months before she graduated with a degree in music and production Since February, Cassius has been employed as a sports talent sales assistant at Creative Arts Agency, but he previously worked as a sales and research analyst for his father Simon Kidston's (L, pictured in 2022) company, Kidston SA
The Independent
19-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Kamala Harris signs with top talent and sports agency CAA
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has signed with the Creative Arts Agency in one of her first public moves since leaving the White House. Harris follows former President Joe Biden, who also signed with the agency just two weeks after leaving office. The Los Angeles-based agency boasts several other A-list names, including former President Barack Obama, Beyoncé, Brad Pitt, Ariana Grande and NBA star Devin Booker. The agency says it will 'work closely with Harris on her post-White House initiatives' and 'expand her platform in support of the issues she has championed throughout her decades-long career in public service,' according to a statement shared with The Hill. They will also work with Harris 'in all areas, focusing on speaking engagements and publishing.' Harris is set to be honored with the Chairman's Award at the NAACP Image Awards later this week. The award honors those who 'excel in public service and leverage their unique platforms to ignite and drive meaningful change.' It will be her first TV appearance since leaving office. The former Vice President's post-White House plans aren't entirely clear yet, but Harris reportedly told her advisers to keep her options open for either another presidential bid or a gubernatorial run in California after losing the election. Harris would likely be the frontrunner if she makes a bid to lead California in 2026 as Governor Gavin Newsom's term limit approaches, according to a poll from Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics/The Hill released last week. Some 57 percent of Democratic respondents said they would support her bid, streets ahead of former Representative Katie Porter who was backed by nine percent of those asked. But Harris hasn't confirmed any plans to run for office again, deflecting questions about it when asked earlier this year. 'I have been home for two weeks and three days,' Harris told reporters while visiting California communities impacted by the recent wildfires. 'My plans are to be in touch with my community, to be in touch with the leaders and figure out what I can do to support them.' When Biden re-signed with the agency after working with them from 2017 to 2020, CAA co-chairman Richard Lovett said the team is 'profoundly honored to partner with him again.' 'President Biden is one of America's most respected and influential voices in national and global affairs,' Lovett said in a statement. 'His lifelong commitment to public service is one of unity, optimism, dignity, and possibility,' he added. The agency worked with Biden as he published Promise Me, Dad, a 2017 bestseller recounting the loss of his son Beau Biden to cancer. President Donald Trump mocked his predecessor when asked for his reaction to the news earlier this month. 'You got to be kidding," Trump said, adding that Biden has 'much bigger problems than that.'
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Trump mocks Biden for signing with Hollywood talent agency: 'You got to be kidding'
Donald Trump reacted to learning that former President Joe Biden has decided to sign with a talent agency. Trump spoke to reporters on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 inside the Oval Office during which Fox News reporter, Peter Doocy, informed the President that Biden had signed on with Creative Arts Agency. A few weeks after leaving the White House Biden decided to resign with his former creative agency that helped him release his 2017 memoir, 'Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose'. Donald Trump mockingly replied, "You got to be kidding," and continued to say that Biden has "much bigger problems than that," referring to the state he left the Presidential office at the end of his term.
The Independent
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Trump mocks Biden for signing with Hollywood talent agency: 'You got to be kidding'
Donald Trump reacted to learning that former President Joe Biden has decided to sign with a talent agency. Trump spoke to reporters on Tuesday, February 4th, 2025 inside the Oval Office during which Fox News reporter, Peter Doocy, informed the President that Biden had signed on with Creative Arts Agency. A few weeks after leaving the White House Biden decided to resign with his former creative agency that helped him release his 2017 memoir, 'Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose'. Donald Trump mockingly replied, "You got to be kidding," and continued to say that Biden has "much bigger problems than that," referring to the state he left the Presidential office at the end of his term.
