A tentative truce has been reached in the heated battle over the ownership of the historic Shohei Ohtani 50/50 home run ball, paving the way for its highly anticipated auction to proceed. As of Monday, bidding had already reached a staggering $1.5 million, with a buyer’s premium pushing the total to $1.83 million.
The agreement, brokered between Goldin Auctions and the lawyers representing the two plaintiffs, Max Matus and Joseph Davidov, ensures that the auction will continue uninterrupted, despite the ongoing legal dispute over the ball’s ownership. The winning bidder will be granted full and clear title to the prized souvenir, with the sale proceeds being held in escrow until the litigation is resolved.
The controversy surrounding the ball’s ownership has sparked intense debate, with both Matus and Davidov claiming to be the rightful owner. While Judge Spencer Eig of Florida’s 11th Judicial Circuit Court initially denied a temporary injunction to halt the auction, a subsequent hearing was scheduled for October 10. However, with this new agreement, that hearing has been cancelled.
Legal experts have weighed in on the complexities of the situation, citing the potential impact on the ball’s sale price and the eventual clear title. “It’s a delicate balancing act,” noted attorney John Uustal, representing Matus. “The auction will proceed, but the dispute over ownership will continue in a regular lawsuit. The winner will have free and clear title, but the downside is that the ball will be sold.”
Goldin Auctions has expressed gratitude for the cooperation of all parties involved, with founder and CEO Ken Goldin stating, “We’re thrilled that the auction of the Shohei Ohtani 50/50 ball can move forward, and we appreciate the trust and support of all parties.”
If the current bidding trend continues, the Ohtani ball is poised to become the second-most expensive baseball ever auctioned, surpassing the $1.5 million paid for Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run ball in 2022. The auction is scheduled to close on October 22.
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