Auction of Shohei Ohtani's 50/50 Home Run Ball Moves Forward Despite Ongoing Legal Battle

A significant development has occurred regarding the highly contested Shohei Ohtani 50/50 home run ball. On Monday, an agreement was reached allowing the auction of the ball to continue, even as the legal disputes over its ownership are still unresolved.

Goldin Auctions and the plaintiffs' legal teams have confirmed that the auction will proceed, and bids for the ball are still being accepted. As of Monday, the highest bid stood at $1.5 million, or $1.83 million including the buyer's premium. The funds from the eventual sale will be held in escrow until the pending ownership litigation is settled. The auction is expected to close on October 22.

The ownership of the ball has been challenged by two separate lawsuits. In late September, 18-year-old Max Matus filed a civil lawsuit claiming possession of the ball and sought a temporary injunction to stop the auction. Judge Spencer Eig of Florida's 11th Judicial Circuit Court denied the injunction request but set a hearing date for October 10, stating that the ball could not be sold before that time. Shortly after, another fan, Joseph Davidov, also filed a lawsuit, asserting his own claim to the ball.

Goldin Auctions issued a statement on Monday explaining that all parties involved had agreed that the auction could proceed "without any interference by the pending litigation." As part of the agreement, all parties have consented to transfer any potential ownership interests they may hold in the ball to the auction winner, assuring the winning bidder that they will receive full and clear ownership.

Lawyers for both Matus and Davidov have confirmed the details of the agreement, which was discussed in a brief court hearing. Following the agreement, the October 10 hearing was canceled, allowing the auction to continue without delay.

Several legal experts have commented on the auction taking place amidst unresolved ownership claims. Some have indicated that the ongoing legal uncertainty could potentially affect the final sale price, as well as raise questions about the clear title of the ball. Attorney John Uustal, who represents Matus, explained that while the auction would continue and the buyer would receive clear title, the ownership dispute itself would be addressed through a full lawsuit and a jury trial.

“We are thankful for the support and trust of all parties regarding the auction of Shohei Ohtani's 50/50 ball,” said Ken Goldin, founder and CEO of Goldin Auctions, in a statement.

As of Monday, the bidding had reached $1.83 million, making Ohtani's 50/50 home run ball potentially the second most expensive baseball ever sold at auction, surpassing the $1.5 million sale of Aaron Judge's 62nd home run ball from the 2022 season.