Ohtani’s lawyers claim he was victim of likeness misuse in real estate deal, move to dismiss lawsuit
September 14, 2025
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his agent have moved to dismiss a lawsuit accusing them of causing a real estate investor and broker to be fired from a $240 million luxury housing development in Hawaii. The lawsuit was filed in August by developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto. They accused Ohtani and agent Nez Balelo of “abuse of power” and unjust enrichment. Lawyers for Ohtani and Balelo argued that Hayes and Matsumoto misused Ohtani’s name and image without authorization. Kingsbarn Realty Capital, the project’s majority owner, have called the allegations “completely frivolous.”