Shohei Ohtani Involved in Hawaii Real Estate Lawsuit, February Trial May Affect Classic Series Preparation

Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese two-way star of the Los Angeles Dodgers in Major League Baseball (MLB), became entangled this year in a civil lawsuit related to a luxury real estate development in Hawaii. Recent updates reveal that the case will be reopened in court next February, which could disrupt Ohtani’s schedule for preparing for the upcoming season and the World Baseball Classic.

According to the Associated Press, in August this year, a Hawaiian real estate developer and an agency filed a lawsuit accusing Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, of improperly interfering in a high-end residential community project valued at approximately $240 million. This interference allegedly caused the original partners to be excluded and suffer financial losses.

The complaint states that the plaintiffs initially planned to involve Ohtani in branding and endorsement for the project, but the cooperation model later changed. The developer and agency jointly accuse Ohtani of using his fame and influence to alter the partnership structure, resulting in the plaintiffs losing their original role. Consequently, the plaintiffs have sought compensation from the court.

In response, Ohtani and his management team have denied the allegations, stating through their lawyer that no authorization was given for anyone to use Ohtani’s name, likeness, or image for real estate marketing, and that the claims are unfounded.

The residential development was originally scheduled for completion this year, but the case remains under judicial review. Recent news indicates the court has postponed the trial until February next year, which may affect Ohtani’s preparations for the new season. The ongoing lawsuit continues to attract attention from fans.