Online bidding for Ohtani’s historic 50-50 ball up to $1.8 million as revenue litigation continues

The online auction Shohei Ohtani’s 50th home run is just four days away, with the highest bid now at $1.8 million.

The auction has been somewhat overshadowed by the legal situation surrounding the ball. Christian Zacek left Miami’s LoanDepot Park with the ball after getting possession in the left field bleachers. Max Matus and Joseph Davidov claim in separate lawsuits that they caught the ball first.

Ohtani became the first player in baseball history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season, reaching the milestone on September 19 when the Los Angeles Dodgers star hit his second of three home runs against the Marlins.

Zacek was identified as Chris Belanski in the initial lawsuits. Matus’ updated lawsuit, obtained by The Associated Press on Friday, changes the defendant’s name to Zacek and removes Goldin Auctions as a defendant.

“The contract with Goldin to sell the ball is with Christian Zacek,” Matus’ attorney John Uustal said in a statement. “It appears to be the same person in the stadium, who could have been listed as Belanski in the stadium.

“It has been difficult to identify and locate at least since a few days after the match. But regardless, the court now has control over the auction proceeds and our lawsuit is against Zacek, who signed the contract with Goldin.

All parties involved in the litigation have agreed that the auction will continue.

“This agreement provides certainty to potential buyers that the historic 50/50 baseball will be sold free and clear of any legal claims about the baseball against the prospective buyer,” Zacek’s lawyers said in a statement. “We believe this agreement reflects recognition by all parties of this monumental achievement and will allow the full value of this historic 50/50 baseball to be fully recognized at auction.”

Matus’ lawsuit claims the Florida resident, who was celebrating his 18th birthday, gained possession of Ohtani’s ball before Zacek took it away. Davidov claims in his suit that he was able to “hold the ball firmly and completely in his left hand while on the ground, successfully gaining 50/50 ball possession.”

Davidov is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.

The winning bid for Ohtani’s ball stands at $1.8 million, but the buyer would have to pay nearly $2.2 million after fees are included. The auction ends on Tuesday.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB