Shohei Ohtani, Agent Sued Over Alleged Sabotage of $240M Hawaii Real Estate Deal
Shohei Ohtani, Agent Sued Over Alleged Sabotage of $240M Hawaii Real Estate Deal
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, are facing a new lawsuit in Hawaii Circuit Court, accused of orchestrating their removal from a lucrative $240 million luxury housing development on the Big Island. A Hawaii real estate investor and broker claim Ohtani and Balelo exploited the athlete’s celebrity status to undermine their involvement in the high-profile project, ultimately leading to their termination.
The lawsuit alleges that Balelo, representing Ohtani, began demanding significant concessions from developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto. It further claims Balelo pressured their business partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, to remove Hayes and Matsumoto from The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort project. The plaintiffs, who introduced Ohtani to the venture for his promotional value, accuse the pair of ‘tortious interference’ and ‘unjust enrichment,’ asserting they acted purely out of ‘financial self-interest.’
Hayes, a developer with four decades of experience, and Matsumoto, slated to be the listing agent for the homes averaging $17.3 million, also allege attempts to sabotage their interests in a neighboring project. The suit vehemently states, ‘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.’
A spokesman for Balelo’s agency, CAA Baseball, has declined to comment on the allegations, and Kingsbarn officials have yet to respond. The plaintiffs, who spent 11 years developing the project and secured Ohtani for a high-profile endorsement in 2023, claim they stand to lose millions in projected profits, construction management fees, and broker commissions. The lawsuit underscores a plea for accountability, stating, ‘Defendants must be held accountable for their actions, not shielded by fame or behind-the-scenes agents acting with impunity.’
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