When Shohei Ohtani’s name is embroiled in legal trouble, headlines take over the press. The Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player is once again facing controversy, this time related to a $240 million luxury real estate project in Hawaii. The developers of this field claim that Ohtani and his agent sabotaged the deal for personal gain. They accuse them of tortious interference and unjust enrichment, serious charges for any athlete.
The sports and finance world exploded and one voice stood out among the thousands that emerged in recent days. Analyst and self-proclaimed “Ohtani superfan” Ben Verlander was quick to defend the multifaceted star, dismissing the lawsuit in a way that reveals more about his devotion than any meaningful analysis. This guy is the younger brother of future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander.
The voice of a fan for Ohtani, who launches embarrassing defenses
Ben Verlander has built a media image around Shohei Ohtani. He has celebrated every step of the Japanese pitcher. In a post, already deleted for lack of solid arguments, he dismissed the $240 million lawsuit by telling his fans: “Let’s remember not to get upset just because they see their name associated with something. If it wasn’t Shohei Ohtani, we wouldn’t even know about this. I’ve never seen so many people care about CIVIL lawsuits related to real estate.”
For Verlander, Ohtani’s star figure explains all the controversy, but that approach ignores reality. Ohtani is MLB’s biggest star, the highest-paid player in league history and a global figure whose brand carries enormous weight. Of course, his name being linked to a multimillion-dollar lawsuit is important. This is not the first time Ohtani has faced off-field controversy, as his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, was discovered to have stolen nearly $17 million to cover gambling debts.
Ben Verlander accuses Dodgers of malicious campaigns
Instead of acknowledging that lawsuits of this magnitude raise serious questions, he insists they mean little. That’s not analysis, it’s blind admiration. Verlander’s constant defense may please Ohtani’s most loyal fans, but it damages his credibility. At some point, he stops sounding like an analyst and starts sounding like an unpaid public relations agent. A $240 million lawsuit is not noise. It is a legal battle that could affect Ohtani’s reputation and business.
The irony is striking. Ohtani has cemented his career on discipline, professionalism and a meticulously curated image. By dismissing the claims as irrelevant, Verlander only succeeds in drawing more attention to them. Both fans and the media deserve fair coverage of Ohtani, for better or worse. Blind defense, especially from someone who calls himself an analyst, undermines that coverage. Verlander’s bravado may attract clicks from Ohtani’s followers, but it leaves everyone else speechless.
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