Lawsuit filed against Shohei Ohtani and his agent for suspected unlawful actions in a $240 million Hawaii property development venture
Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar and five-time All-Star, is facing a lawsuit in Hawaii accusing him and his agent, Nez Balelo, of causing the removal of developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto from a $240 million luxury housing development project called The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort.
The plaintiffs, who spent over a decade developing the project, claim they had an endorsement agreement with Ohtani in 2023, with the baseball star set to act as the celebrity spokesperson, a prospective purchaser of a home, and a planned resident with a training facility on site. Ohtani is referred to as "Japan's Babe Ruth" and the "1st Resident" in investment materials for The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort.
According to the lawsuit, Balelo pushed for changes soon after joining the project, and pressured Kingsbarn Realty Capital, the business partner, to remove Hayes and Matsumoto from the project. The plaintiffs allege this interference caused them to lose millions in expected profits, management fees, and commissions. They accuse Ohtani and Balelo of tortious interference, unjust enrichment, and abusing their leverage to undermine the plaintiffs’ interests, even in another nearby development.
The lawsuit also characterizes the threat of litigation by Balelo to enforce his demands as baseless and an abuse of power. The suit accuses Ohtani and Balelo of exploiting their celebrity leverage to destabilize and dismantle the plaintiffs' role in the project.
Despite the legal issues, Ohtani's involvement with The Vista is expected to have a significant impact on the global exposure of the project. Ohtani has committed to purchasing one of the 14 residences within the project and intends to spend significant time at The Vista in the off-season. He touted The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort as his upcoming "winter home" in April.
The partnership with Ohtani is expected to accelerate the pace of sales at The Vista. Shohei Ohtani, a record-breaking athlete, is set to construct a small hitting and pitching facility for preseason training at The Vista. The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort, a luxury housing development on the Big Island's coveted Hapuna Coast, will undoubtedly benefit from Ohtani's presence.
The lawsuit was filed in Hawaii Circuit Court on Friday. The developers signed an endorsement deal with Shohei Ohtani in 2023, making him a key figure in the project's marketing strategy. However, the ongoing legal proceedings may cast a shadow over this bold marketing move.
[1] https://www.staradvertiser.com/2023/05/12/business/real-estate/lawsuit-filed-against-shohei-ohtani-and-agent-over-mauna-kea-resort-project/ [2] https://www.sportico.com/mlb/news/shohei-ohtani-lawsuit-mauna-kea-resort-26427319/ [3] https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35537317/shohei-ohtani-sued-hawaii-real-estate-developers-alleged-tortious-interference
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