Shohei Ohtani and Agent Seek Dismissal of Hawaii Lawsuit

HONOLULU — Shohei Ohtani, the star designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, alongside his agent Nez Balelo, are taking legal action to dismiss a lawsuit filed against them last month. The suit accuses them of causing the termination of a real estate investor and broker from a lucrative $240 million luxury housing project on the Hapuna Coast of Hawaii.

Background of the Lawsuit

The legal battle began when developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr., real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto, West Point Investment Corp., and Hapuna Estates Property Owners filed the lawsuit in Hawaii Circuit Court on August 8. The plaintiffs allege "abuse of power," claiming that Ohtani and Balelo engaged in tortious interference and unjust enrichment that ultimately led to their dismissal from the high-profile real estate development.

Key Allegations

• Self-Dealing: Hayes and Matsumoto reportedly acquired rights in 2023 allowing them to use Ohtani’s name, image, and likeness under an endorsement agreement aimed at marketing the Mauna Kea Resort development.
• Unauthorized Use: Ohtani’s legal representation claims that the plaintiffs misappropriated Ohtani’s name and image to promote their own interests without his consent, seeking to leverage their connection with the renowned baseball player.

Ohtani’s Legal Team’s Response

In documents filed on Sunday, Ohtani and Balelo’s lawyers articulated that the plaintiffs’ actions were unauthorized and constituted a clear violation of Ohtani’s rights. They asserted:

"Unbeknownst to Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo, plaintiffs exploited Ohtani’s name and photograph to drum up traffic to a website that marketed plaintiffs’ own side project development."

The Response to the Lawsuit

Ohtani’s lawyers are seeking dismissal on the grounds that the lawsuit is an attempt to retaliate against Balelo for advocating Ohtani’s rights. They contend:

“Balelo did his job and protected his client by expressing justifiable concern about this misuse and threatening to take legal action against this clear misappropriation."

Kingsbarn’s Position

The majority owner of the development project, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, described the allegations against Ohtani and Balelo as “completely frivolous and without merit”. This robust defense aligns with Ohtani’s established reputation as a three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) and a key player for the defending World Series champion Dodgers.

Protecting Athlete’s Rights

Nez Balelo has consistently prioritized the protection of Ohtani’s name, image, and likeness from unauthorized use. The legal team’s statement emphasized:

"This frivolous lawsuit is a desperate attempt by plaintiffs to distract from their myriad of failures and blatant misappropriation of Mr. Ohtani’s rights.”

Conclusion

As this high-profile case unfolds, it highlights the growing complexities in protecting a celebrity athlete’s brand and image in business ventures. The legal implications extend beyond the parties involved, potentially setting precedents for how endorsements and brand representation are negotiated within real estate developments and beyond.

For more on Shohei Ohtani and his impact in Major League Baseball, check out this article. To understand more about legal rights regarding endorsements and likeness, refer to resources available from the American Bar Association.