Imagine being ousted from a $240 million luxury housing project by a baseball superstar! That's exactly what a Hawaii real estate investor and broker are claiming in a dramatic lawsuit against none other than Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.

Filed on Friday in Hawaii Circuit Court, the lawsuit alleges that Ohtani and his agent, Nez Balelo, pressured their business partner, Kingsbarn Realty Capital, to fire the duo behind the lavish development located on the stunning Hapuna Coast of the Big Island.

According to the suit, Ohtani and Balelo exploited their celebrity status, claiming that they were brought into the project purely for the star's promotional value. The lawsuit states, “Balelo and Ohtani… destabilized and ultimately dismantled Plaintiffs’ role in the project — for no reason other than their own financial self-interest.”

Ohtani, who has become a household name for his remarkable ability to both pitch and hit, arrived in the MLB from Japan in 2018 and has since garnered a massive following, securing a historic 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. As a five-time All-Star and three-time MVP, his involvement in any project carries monumental weight.

The lawsuit accuses Ohtani and Balelo of tortious interference and unjust enrichment, arguing that they not only disrupted the Hapuna Coast project but also attempted to undermine the interests of Hayes and Matsumoto in a neighboring venture. The plaintiffs, developer Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and real estate broker Tomoko Matsumoto, assert that they are victims of power abuse and financial manipulation.

“This case is about abuse of power,” the complaint states. “Defendants used threats and baseless legal claims to force a business partner to betray its contractual obligations.” They argue that Ohtani and Balelo should be held accountable, insisting that fame should not shield anyone from consequences.

Despite attempts to contact representatives for comment, CAA Baseball, which manages Balelo, declined to share any insights, while Kingsbarn Realty did not respond immediately.

The Vista at Mauna Kea Resort, the project in question, was marketed as a luxury development with homes averaging $17.3 million each, and Ohtani was touted as the “1st Resident,” promising to act as the celebrity spokesperson and even constructing a training facility on-site.

The plaintiffs had invested over 11 years into this project, viewing the partnership with Ohtani as a golden opportunity to tap into the luxurious Japanese vacation home market. However, they claim that Balelo’s threats caused Kingsbarn to prioritize Ohtani’s demands over their contractual obligations, leading to their shocking termination.

In a call described as a “coordinated ambush,” the development team was informed that their termination stemmed from Balelo’s demands. Now, Hayes and Matsumoto stand to lose millions tied to the project, including profits and commissions from home sales.