Fernando Tatis Jr. was just 17 when he signed a deal that could now cost him tens of millions. At the time, he was a rising minor league prospect from the Dominican Republic, years away from the bright lights of Petco Park. Now, he’s one of baseball’s biggest names-and he wants out.
On Monday, Tatis filed a lawsuit in San Diego County Superior Court against Big League Advance (BLA), the company that gave him a $2 million advance in exchange for 10% of all his future baseball earnings. Tatis and his legal team claim the deal is not just unfair-it’s illegal.
According to the suit, BLA operates without a license in California and allegedly used deceptive tactics to lock Tatis into an agreement he didn’t fully understand at the time. His lawyer, Robert Hertzberg, says the deal violates California’s consumer protection laws and amounts to a disguised high-interest loan.
“This Is About More Than Me,” Tatis Says of Lawsuit
Tatis, who signed a 14-year, $340 million deal with the Padres in 2021, could end up paying BLA more than $34 million unless the court voids the agreement. The suit also argues that BLA’s cut extends to any future contracts, creating a long-term burden Tatis never anticipated.
“I’m fighting this battle not just for myself,” Tatis said in a statement, “but for everyone still chasing their dream and hoping to provide a better life for their family.”
Though he declined to speak further before Monday night’s game against the Nationals, Tatis’ legal team made it clear they want to stop BLA from targeting other young players with similar deals.
Hertzberg, a former speaker of the California State Assembly, noted, “These kinds of contracts are banned here for a reason. The system is meant to protect kids, not trap them.”
BLA has not responded to requests for comment. The company is also in the middle of another legal dispute, suing former Padres outfielder Franmil Reyes in Delaware over alleged unpaid earnings and interest.
Despite past setbacks, including an 80-game PED suspension in 2022, Tatis remains a fan favorite and franchise cornerstone in San Diego. But this case could reshape more than his finances-it may have ripple effects throughout the business of baseball development.
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