When Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani arrived in the majors, he built his image around one simple idea: all he cares about is baseball. That belief became a shield for him in 2024, when his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, stole millions from Ohtani to pay off illegal gambling debts.
At the time, many writers and analysts defended Ohtani, insisting he couldn’t have been involved in any betting activity because he focused entirely on the game. The public largely accepted that version of events. Ohtani came across as a generational talent who had no time or interest in off-field distractions.
Now, a new lawsuit—reported by The Japan News—tells a very different story. It portrays Ohtani as a celebrity deeply involved in high-dollar business ventures, allegedly using his star power to push people out of them.
The Hawaii Project
In a lawsuit filed in Hawaii Circuit Court, developer Kevin Hayes Sr. and broker Tomoko Matsumoto accuse Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, of sabotaging a $240 million luxury housing development on the Big Island’s Hapuna Coast. Hayes and Matsumoto say they spent over a decade putting the deal together.
In 2023, they signed Ohtani as the celebrity face of The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort. The agreement called for Ohtani to purchase one of the 14 multimillion-dollar homes, train there in the offseason, and use his global fame to draw in wealthy buyers, especially from Japan. The planned homes carried an average price tag of $17.3 million.
The lawsuit claims that after Ohtani and Balelo joined the venture. Balelo began making increasingly aggressive demands for concessions from Kingsbarn Realty Capital, the project’s lead investment partner. Over time, Balelo allegedly pressured Kingsbarn to cut Hayes and Matsumoto from the project—and Kingsbarn admitted they did so “solely to placate” Ohtani’s camp.
Hayes and Matsumoto say the move cost them millions in profits, management fees, and commissions. They accuse Ohtani and Balelo of “tortious interference” and “unjust enrichment.” Ohtani’s agency has refused to comment.
A Shift in the Narrative
This case matters because it challenges Ohtani’s carefully crafted public image.
When the Mizuhara betting scandal broke in 2024, many in baseball insisted Ohtani had no idea what was going on because he lived and breathed the sport. They painted a picture of a man who spent all his waking hours in batting cages and bullpens.
Since then, Ohtani’s off-field activities have expanded dramatically. He has signed endorsement deals with dozens of brands, appeared in countless commercials, and tied his name to high-profile ventures like this Hawaii project. The “only baseball” narrative no longer holds up—he is a global brand managing multimillion-dollar business relationships.
That doesn’t prove he’s guilty of what the lawsuit claims. Business disputes often get messy, and agents, lawyers, and corporate partners can make decisions without the celebrity’s direct input. Still, this situation makes it harder to argue that Ohtani stays away from off-field dealings.
Even if Ohtani and Balelo win in court, the case carries reputational risk. Corporate sponsors and future business partners might think twice when a lawsuit accuses a celebrity of using fame to edge out other stakeholders.
Ohtani’s $700 million Dodgers contract and MVP-level play mean his baseball career won’t take a hit. But public perception matters. This case suggests that the days of seeing him as a baseball-only figure—untouched by the business world—are over.
For now, the lawsuit tells just one side of the story. Ohtani’s camp has yet to respond publicly. But for fans who once pictured him living in a bubble of batting practice and bullpen sessions, this serves as a reminder: baseball’s brightest star is also a businessman, and business can get ugly.
Dodgers Star Shohei Ohtani Accused in Lawsuit Over Real Estate Venture