=====”WHO REALLY IS THIS DODGER?”======
That’s the headline we should be discussing because at this point there are lots of explanations that don’t add up. And this discussion is not about box scores, batting averages and pitching lines.
We are talking about another major off the field incident involving the Dodgers unicorn superstar Shohei Ohtani.
The story breaking late on Monday night that Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo are being sued for millions by two Hawaiian developers, who spent 10-years formulating plans for a massive (240M) luxury home development on the Big Island-Hawaii.
The two allege that the agent, representing the superstar, went back on a marketing agreement to have Ohtani be a spokesman to sell the 7M- apiece-home mansions, and instead led a revolt that led to the firing of the founder of the real estate project and the lead sales agent.
It’s a massive charge of fraud and tortious business interference, they say engineered by Balelo, who works for the super agent business CAA.
Neither the Dodgers star, nor the agent, have responded to questions about the lawsuit.
But this is the same tandem that captured all the spring training headlines, when Ohtani’s personal aide was arrested, charged, and convicted of stealing 17M of Ohtani’s wealth to live a lavish lifestyle, that saw his gambling addiction pile up 40M in losses on sports bets.
Ohtani expressed shock at the theft, denial of any knowledge of what was happening, and cut off any future involvement with Ippei Mizuhara now imprisoned in Pennsylvania.
Balelo was nowhere to be found as this story evolved following the arrest of an Orange County gambling ringleader who was the middleman taking the Ohtani money.
Baseball cleared the Dodgers star of any wrongdoing. Eventually Ohtani held 1-press conference and made statements of ‘no knowledge’
He lets other people conduct his business and drive his wealth. He reportedly earns over 100M in endorsements in the US and Japan because of his baseball stardom.
The agent, who works behind the scenes, may be about to be dragged into the spotlight.
We know lots about the player, his love for the game, his dedication, and see his forever smile. But there now seems to be more and more ‘behind the curtain’ about Ohtani and his agent..
It begs the question, how come Ohtani has no knowledge of his wealth, his finances, and his business ventures?
Or maybe the bigger question, is ‘Who really is the Dodgers’ player-agent, and what does he stand for’, as we deal with a second Ohtani scandal in 6-months time?
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