Latest news with #HawaiiCircuitCourt
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- 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.
NBC Sports
5 days ago
- Business
- NBC Sports
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and agent accused of sabotaging $240M Hawaii real estate project
A Hawaii real estate investor and broker are suing Shohei Ohtani, claiming the Los Angeles Dodgers star and his agent got them fired from a $240 million luxury housing development on the Big Island's coveted Hapuna Coast that they brought him in to endorse. According to the lawsuit filed in Hawaii Circuit Court, Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo, increasingly demanded concessions from developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto before demanding that their business partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, drop them from the deal. '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. 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. A spokesman for Balelo's agency, CAA Baseball, declined comment. Attempts to reach Kingsbarn officials for comment were not immediately successful. '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.' 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, 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.' '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.'
Mint
5 days ago
- Business
- Mint
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and agent accused of sabotaging $240M Hawaii real estate project
A Hawaii real estate investor and broker are suing Shohei Ohtani, claiming the Los Angeles Dodgers star and his agent got them fired from a $240 million luxury housing development on the Big Island's coveted Hapuna Coast that they brought him in to endorse. According to the lawsuit filed in Hawaii Circuit Court on Friday, Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo, increasingly demanded concessions from developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto before demanding that their business partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, drop them from the deal. '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. 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. A spokesman for Balelo's agency, CAA Baseball, declined comment. Attempts to reach Kingsbarn officials for comment were not immediately successful. '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.' 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." '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.'
6 days ago
- Business
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and agent accused of sabotaging $240M Hawaii real estate project
A Hawaii real estate investor and broker are suing Shohei Ohtani, claiming the Los Angeles Dodgers star and his agent got them fired from a $240 million luxury housing development on the Big Island's coveted Hapuna Coast that they brought him in to endorse. According to the lawsuit filed in Hawaii Circuit Court on Friday, Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo, increasingly demanded concessions from developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto before demanding that their business partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, drop them from the deal. 'Balelo and Otani, who were brought into the venture solely for Otani'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. 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. A spokesman for Balelo's agency, CAA Baseball, declined comment. Attempts to reach Kingsbarn officials for comment were not immediately successful. '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.' 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." '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 Otani 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.'
USA Today
6 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani and agent sued, accused of wrecking $240M Hawaii real estate deal
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his agent are being sued by a Hawaii real estate investor and a broker, alleging that both men got them terminated from a $240 million housing development on Hawaii's Hapuna Coast that they brought him in to endorse. The lawsuit was filed in Hawaii Circuit Court on Aug. 8 and obtained by USA TODAY Sports. It says that Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo, wanted assurances from Kevin J. Hayes Sr. — a developer who has been in business for 40 years — and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto before they demanded their business partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, a company based in Las Vegas, remove both from the real estate deal. Ohtani is referred to in the lawsuit, in which some portions are redacted, as "Otani." The developers say in the lawsuit that they spent more than a decade trying to work on the deal before signing Ohtani to an endorsement deal in 2023. "This case is about abuse of power. 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," the lawsuit says. '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.' Ohtani and Balelo are accused in the lawsuit of "tortious interference and unjust enrichment, who used their "celebrity leverage to destabilize and ultimately dismantle Plaintiffs' role in the project" and attempted to sabotage a second business venture. Ohtani is listed in a 2024 press release for the Vista at Mauna Kea Resort project, aimed at appealing to Japanese and U.S. high-end buyers, that says he will be the first resident on the property. "To me, Hawaii is a beautiful blend of Pacific Ocean cultures," Ohtani says in the release. "Here, I found my own paradise at Mauna Kea Resort: Two perfect beaches, two amazing golf courses, and so much more. I selected my homesite and am building my winter home here. This is a special place – a place I will soon call home." Ohtani is in his second season with the Dodgers, after signing a 10-year, $700-million contract, helping Los Angeles win the World Series last year. He is a five-time All-Star and three-time Most Valuable Player, who is hitting .284 with 42 home runs and 78 RBI for the NL West leaders in 2025.
