Attorneys for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his agent Nez Balelo have filed a motion in state court to dismiss a lawsuit brought against them by real estate investors alleging Ohtani and Balelo conspired to cut them out of a $250 million deal on Hawaii island.

The dispute arises out of real estate investors Kevin J. Hayes Sr. and Tomoko Matsu­moto’s “attempt to get close to celebrity athlete Shohei Ohtani in order to profit off him unlawfully,” according to the motion to dismiss filed in Oahu Circuit Court Sunday afternoon.

“Nez Balelo has always prioritized Shohei Ohtani’s best interests, including protecting his name, image, and likeness from unauthorized use,” said Laura Smolowe, Balelo and Ohtani’s attorney, in a statement to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “This frivolo

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