Shohei Ohtani’s Historic Home Run Ball Sale: A Legal Tug of War

There has been a substantial amount of legal wrangling surrounding the auctioning of Shohei Ohtani’s 50/50 home run ball. The ball’s sale has been given the green light, despite the unresolved legal dispute over its rightful ownership.

Moving Forward with the Auction Amidst Legal Disputes

Goldin Auctions and the lawyers of the plaintiffs announced on Monday that the auction of the ball can proceed, despite the ongoing court case. Bids are still being accepted, with the current highest bid standing at $1.5 million, or $1.83 million including a buyer’s premium. The funds from the ball’s sale will be held in an account until the conclusion of the ownership dispute.

Legal Challenges to the Ball’s Ownership

Two separate lawsuits have emerged, challenging the ball’s rightful owner. Max Matus, 18, filed a civil lawsuit in late September, asserting his possession of the ball and requesting a temporary injunction to halt the auction. However, Judge Spencer Eig of Florida’s 11th Judicial Circuit Court declined to grant the injunction. Instead, the judge scheduled a hearing for October 10 and ruled that the ball cannot be sold prior to this date.

Multiple Parties, One Agreement

A second fan, Joseph Davidov, subsequently filed a lawsuit, claiming he was the rightful owner of the ball. Goldin Auctions issued a statement on Monday confirming that all parties involved in the litigation have consented to the auction proceeding as intended, without disruptions from the pending legal action. The statement further clarified that all parties have agreed to transfer their ownership interests in the ball to the auction’s winner, assuring the winner of a free and clear title to the ball.

Expert Opinions on the Legal Disputes

Lawyers and legal experts raised concerns that the ongoing controversy could impact the sale price and create questions about the ball’s eventual clear title.

Implications of the Auction Agreement

Following the auction agreement, the scheduled hearing for October 10 was cancelled. Both Davidov and Matus had stated they planned to keep the ball as a memento if they won the ownership battle.

Ken Goldin, the founder and CEO of Goldin, expressed his gratitude for the trust and support received from all parties involved in the auction of the Shohei Ohtani 50/50 ball. As of Monday, the Ohtani ball, with a bid of $1.83 million, would make it the second priciest baseball auctioned, surpassing Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run ball from the 2022 season, which sold for $1.5 million.