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os Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo are embroiled in a legal dispute over a $240 million luxury development on Hawaii’s Big Island. On August 8, developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and broker Tomoko Matsumoto, along with other partners, filed suit alleging that Ohtani and his team used their influence to remove the developers from the project, accusing them of “abuse of power,” tortious interference and unjust enrichment. The plaintiffs claim the duo’s actions caused the developers to lose their stake.

    Ohtani’s attorneys seek dismissal, arguing the suit misappropriates the MLB star’s name, image and likeness (NIL) without any valid authorization or compensation. They contend that Hayes and Matsumoto had secured a minority interest in a 2023 joint venture that granted them limited rights to use Ohtani’s NIL under an endorsement agreement. According to the lawyers, the defendants exploited Ohtani’s likeness to promote their own unrelated development website, doing so without permission or payment. “They engaged in self‑dealing, exploiting the proximity to the world’s most famous baseball player,” the filing states.

    Kinsbarn Realty Capital, the majority partner in the joint venture, dismissed the lawsuit as “completely frivolous.” Ohtani, a three‑time MVP who recently lifted a World Series title with the Dodgers, has a lawyer who stresses that Balelo has always protected his client’s brand from unauthorized use.

    The case remains pending before Hawaii’s First Circuit Court.