Lawsuit Filed Against Prominent Dodgers Player and His Agent over Big Island Property Venture
In a surprising turn of events, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, are facing a lawsuit that alleges they interfered in a $240 million luxury real estate development project in Hawaii. The lawsuit, filed in Oahu Circuit Court, accuses Ohtani and Balelo of tortious interference and unjust enrichment.
The development in question is part of the Mauna Kea Resort on Hawaii’s Big Island Hapuna Coast, known for its high-end homes that range in price from $4.5 million to $20 million. The project, named The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort, includes 166 homes and condominiums, with Ohtani planning to build a 5,000-square-foot home with ocean views overlooking the eighth hole of Arnold Palmer’s Hapuna Golf Course on a selected lot.
According to the allegations, Ohtani and Balelo were brought into the venture "solely for Ohtani’s promotional and branding value." However, the complaint claims that they exploited their celebrity status to destabilize and dismantle the roles of Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto, who were slated to manage the project and expected to earn millions in profits, management fees, and broker commissions from the homes.
The lawsuit alleges that Balelo increasingly demanded concessions from Hayes, Matsumoto, and their business partner Kingsbarn Realty Capital. Eventually, Balelo issued an ultimatum to Kingsbarn, demanding they remove Hayes and Matsumoto from the project or face retaliatory litigation. Kingsbarn allegedly agreed to this demand, leading to the termination of Hayes and Matsumoto, which the lawsuit describes as a "coordinated ambush."
Kingsbarn Realty Capital has stated that the allegations against Ohtani and Balelo are frivolous and without merit. However, the complaint alleges that Kingsbarn agreed to keep Kingsbarn out of the to-be-filed lawsuit only if it complied with Balelo’s demands to terminate Hayes and Matsumoto.
The suit also claims that Ohtani and Balelo tried to undermine Hayes and Matsumoto’s interests in a second, adjacent development. Hayes and Matsumoto disagree with the allegations, stating that Ohtani’s likeness was on the project website for 14 months before it was "weaponized" to cut them out of the development deal.
As of the reports, CAA Baseball, which represents Balelo, declined to comment on the lawsuit, and attempts to reach Kingsbarn officials were unsuccessful. Balelo and Ohtani’s Honolulu attorney did not immediately reply to a Honolulu Star-Advertiser request for comment.
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- Despite his focus on the sports world, Shohei Ohtani's real estate business activities have led to a $240 million luxury development lawsuit in Hawaii, alleging tortious interference and unjust enrichment.
- In the Mauna Kea Resort's $240 million real estate development project, Ohtani intended to invest in a 5,000-square-foot home, using his branding value to boost the venture.
- The lawsuit claims that Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo, exploited their celebrity status, causing the termination of Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto, who were expected to earn massive profits and commissions from the project.
- Kingsbarn Realty Capital stated that the lawsuit against Ohtani and Balelo is baseless, but the complaint alleges that Kingsbarn agreed to keep out of the lawsuit if they complied with Balelo's demands to remove Hayes and Matsumoto.
- Ohtani and Balelo are also accused of attempting to undermine Hayes and Matsumoto's interests in a second adjacent development, a claim that Hayes and Matsumoto dispute, stating that Ohtani's likeness was on the project website before it was used to cut them out of the deal.
