Los Angeles, CA – August 13, 2025: Los Angeles Dodgers MVP Shohei Ohtani, widely regarded as Major League Baseballβs biggest star, is facing serious legal allegations tied to a high-stakes luxury real estate development in Hawaii.
A lawsuit filed Friday in Hawaii Circuit Court claims Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, sabotaged a $240 million housing project on the Big Island – where individual homes were priced at $17 million apiece.
The plaintiffs, a Hawaiian real estate developer and broker, allege they were wrongfully ousted from the project after bringing Ohtani in as a celebrity endorser.
According to the complaint, Ohtaniβs agent – though not a party to the original agreement – βinserted himself into every aspect of the relationship,β creating disruptions and making escalating demands.
The plaintiffs claim they were told that unless they complied, Ohtani would walk away from the endorsement deal. They allege that this conduct ultimately led to their removal from the project, causing significant financial and reputational harm.
The lawsuit further claims Ohtani had planned to purchase one of the homes himself, as stated in a press release from last year, though it is unclear whether that transaction ever occurred.
While the filing accuses Ohtani of βintentional interference,β it primarily outlines actions attributed to his agent. This leaves questions about the extent of Ohtaniβs direct involvement.
Neither Ohtani, his agent, nor the Dodgers organization has commented on the allegations.
This is not the first time a member of Ohtaniβs inner circle has faced legal scrutiny. In 2024, Ohtaniβs former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was convicted in a federal case involving illegal gambling, after stealing millions from Ohtaniβs accounts.
Mizuhara was sentenced to nearly five years in prison, with Ohtani maintaining he had no prior knowledge of the scheme.
If proven, the current allegations could mark another reputational challenge for the Japanese superstar, who is both a dominant pitcher and hitter, and one of MLBβs most marketable figures.
The case is expected to draw national attention as it moves through Hawaiiβs courts, given the celebrity, money, and luxury real estate intrigue at its center.