Shohei Ohtani, Agent Accused of Sabotaging $240M Hawaii Project

The high-profile world of sports celebrities has collided with Hawaii’s luxury real estate market in a lawsuit that reads like a Hollywood drama. Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani—arguably baseball’s biggest global icon—and his agent, Nez Balelo, now face a lawsuit from Hawaii real estate investor Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and broker Tomoko Matsumoto.

The dispute centers on a $240 million luxury housing endeavor on the Big Island’s Hapuna Coast. Hayes and Matsumoto claim they spent more than a decade building the project, only to get ousted after Ohtani’s camp allegedly pressured their business partner to remove them from the deal.

The $240 Million Hapuna Coast Vision

According to court filings, Hayes and Matsumoto say their vision for the project stretched across 11 years of development. The plan included 14 high-end vacation homes aimed at wealthy buyers, especially in the Japanese market.

Landing a marquee name was part of their strategy, and in 2023, Shohei Ohtani agreed to join as the project’s celebrity face.

Ohtani as the “First Resident” and Global Spokesperson

The marketing campaign focused heavily on Ohtani, promoting him as “Japan’s Babe Ruth,” the “1st Resident,” and the official spokesperson. The idea was to sell the dream of Hapuna Coast living to a global, moneyed audience.

Ohtani planned to build a private training facility on-site, which would show his personal investment and boost the project’s appeal to Japanese fans who idolize him.

From Partnership to Power Struggle

The lawsuit describes a sudden shift in power. Hayes and Matsumoto allege that Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, started pushing for concessions that clashed with their original agreements.

They claim Balelo even threatened that Ohtani would walk away from the project unless his demands were met, putting serious pressure on Kingsbarn Realty Capital, their development partner.

Allegations of Pressure and “Coordinated Ambush”

Court documents say Kingsbarn, eager to keep its lucrative tie to Ohtani, ultimately sided with the star and his agent. Hayes and Matsumoto were abruptly terminated last month, and they call it a “coordinated ambush” meant to appease Balelo.

They also allege that Kingsbarn executives privately admitted the firings were just to keep Ohtani happy, regardless of their contracts. That’s a tough pill to swallow, honestly.

Millions in Losses on the Line

The plaintiffs argue that being forced out of the project has cost them dearly. Their lawsuit claims losses in:

• Projected profits from the luxury home sales
• Management fees associated with overseeing the project
• Real estate commissions tied to high-value transactions

Hayes and Matsumoto say these losses will add up to millions of dollars in income they spent years earning.

Legal Claims Against Ohtani and Balelo

The suit accuses Ohtani and Balelo of tortious interference, unjust enrichment, and abuse of power. The plaintiffs want to prove in court that celebrity status doesn’t put anyone above the law.

They’re seeking damages and accountability from both the Dodgers star and his agent.

The Bigger Picture: Sports Stars in Business Ventures

This legal battle is just the latest mess when high-profile athletes jump into business deals. Ohtani’s involvement was supposed to supercharge the Hapuna Coast project’s visibility.

But these allegations suggest that star power can sometimes overshadow existing partnerships and contracts. It’s a cautionary tale, and honestly, who saw this coming?

What to Watch Going Forward

Ohtani’s camp and Kingsbarn Realty Capital still haven’t shared detailed public statements about the lawsuit. The case is picking up attention—not just from sports and real estate folks, but also from legal analysts curious about how celebrity status mixes with fiduciary responsibility.

Hayes and Matsumoto have a lot on the line, both financially and reputation-wise. For Ohtani, it’s a pretty abrupt shift from the usual headlines about his on-field feats.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and agent accused of sabotaging $240M Hawaii real estate project