Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani, Agent Sued Over $240M Hawaii Project

Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers star, and his agent Nez Balelo are being sued by Hawaii real estate investor Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and broker Tomoko Matsumoto for allegedly causing their removal from a $240 million luxury housing development on the Big Island’s Hapuna Coast. The lawsuit claims that Ohtani and Balelo exploited their celebrity status to pressure the developers and destabilize the plaintiffs' role in the project solely for their own financial gain. The plaintiffs accuse them of tortious interference and unjust enrichment, asserting that threats and baseless legal claims were used to force a business partner to breach contractual obligations. The suit also alleges attempts to undermine the plaintiffs' interests in a second neighboring venture. Representatives for Ohtani's agent and the business partner Kingsbarn Realty Capital have declined to comment or were not immediately reachable. This case highlights concerns about the impact of celebrity influence in business dealings and the importance of accountability regardless of fame.