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os Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo have been sued for allegedly pushing out a Hawaii luxury real estate developer and broker from a $240 million deal. The civil lawsuit, filed in the Hawaii Circuit Court on Friday, claims that Ohtani used his popularity to interfere with the project. Developer Kevin J Hayes Sr and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto claim they were working on The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort, featuring 14 custom homes along the Hawaiian coastline, when Balelo demanded concessions and ultimately had them terminated by Kingsbarn Realty Capital.

    The lawsuit alleges that Balelo threatened to withdraw Ohtani's endorsement if Hayes and Matsumoto remained involved in the project. This led to Kingsbarn terminating their services, resulting in millions of dollars in lost profits, management fees, and commissions for the plaintiffs. They are suing for tortious interference and unjust enrichment, as well as alleging that Ohtani and Balelo tried to hinder their role in a second development.

    Ohtani's name was brought in to boost sales appeal for the Mauna Kea project, which will be marketed primarily to US and Japanese buyers. As Japan's most famous athlete, Ohtani earns an estimated $60 million in endorsements annually, on top of his 10-year, $700 million MLB contract. Balelo's agency declined to comment, while Forbes estimates his net worth at around $39 million. This is not the first time Ohtani has been linked to legal matters, with his former interpreter pleading guilty to stealing nearly $17 million from him in 2024.