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os Angeles Dodgers ace Shohei Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo have filed a motion to dismiss a lawsuit that was filed last month in Hawaii. The suit, brought on August 8 by developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and broker Tomoko Matsumoto, claims the pair caused the two men to be fired from a $240 million luxury housing project on the Big Island’s Hapuna Coast. The plaintiffs also allege abuse of power, tortious interference and unjust enrichment.

    Hayes and Matsumoto were removed from the development by Kingsbarn Realty Capital, the majority owner of the joint venture. In a filing Sunday, Ohtani’s lawyers explained that in 2023 the plaintiffs secured a minority stake in a joint venture that allowed them to use Ohtani’s name, image and likeness under an endorsement agreement to promote the Mauna Kea Resort project. They argue Ohtani was a victim of NIL violations. The attorneys claim the plaintiffs exploited Ohtani’s likeness to drive traffic to a website advertising their own side‑project development, without permission or payment, and that Balelo had warned them and threatened legal action to protect Ohtani’s rights.

    Kingsbarn has called the allegations “completely frivolous and without merit.” Ohtani, a three‑time MVP and current World Series champion, has said his agent has always defended his name, image and likeness. Balelo’s lawyer described the lawsuit as a desperate distraction from the plaintiffs’ own failures and misappropriation of Ohtani’s rights. No comment has yet been received from Hayes and Matsumoto’s counsel.