Max Matus, a dedicated 18-year-old baseball enthusiast, has found himself at the center of a legal storm surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball. This pivotal piece of sports memorabilia, marking Ohtani’s impressive 50th home run during the season, is poised to initiate a bidding war with expected starting bids soaring to half a million dollars.
Matus has taken swift legal action in Florida to contest the auction of the prized baseball currently in the possession of another fan, Chris Belanski. Matus alleges that he was wrongfully stripped of the ball during a game at loanDepot Park in Miami on September 19, claiming that Belanski forcefully seized the ball from him. The lawsuit also includes claims against Belanski’s friend, Kelvin Ramirez, implicating him in the incident.
According to Matus’s legal representatives, during the baseball game meant to celebrate his 18th birthday, the teen firmly clutched the ball with his left hand until Belanski intervened aggressively, snatching it away. Seeking justice, Matus aims to halt the impending auction and secure the ball in a neutral location agreed upon by all parties until a verdict is reached in court.
Despite Matus’s legal endeavors, Goldin Auctions remains steadfast in their decision to proceed with the sale of the historical ball. Following a Miami judge’s denial of Matus’s request for a temporary restraining order to postpone the auction, Goldin Auctions plans to move forward with the event as scheduled. In response to the lawsuit, the New Jersey-based auction house released a statement to ESPN affirming their commitment to launching the auction of the coveted Ohtani milestone ball.
The legal battle is set to unfold in the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Miami-Dade County, allowing Matus’s legal team the opportunity to present their case before the auction concludes on October 16. Success in court could potentially lead to Matus receiving a portion of the proceeds generated from the sale of the ball.
It was revealed by Ken Goldin, CEO of Goldin Auctions, that Belanski swiftly contacted the auction house the day after Ohtani’s record-breaking game to arrange for the sale of the baseball. Despite an offer of $300,000 from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Belanski opted to reject the deal in favor of the auction process.
The auction commences with a “buy-it-now” option valued at $4.5 million, open for bids until October 9. Should the bidding reach $3 million before the specified date, the buy-it-now choice will be removed, prompting the auction to continue until October 16. The development of this auction carries an air of anticipation and intrigue as it captures the attention of collectors, baseball aficionados, and legal experts alike, all observing closely as the saga unravels.
Amidst the fervor surrounding this legal dispute, the fate of Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run ball remains undetermined, leaving the sports community on edge as the auction progresses.
