06/23/25 10:01:00
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06/23 21:56 CDT Padres star Tatis sues Big League Advance in attempt to get out
of future earnings deal
Padres star Tatis sues Big League Advance in attempt to get out of future
earnings deal
SAN DIEGO (AP) --- San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. filed a lawsuit
Monday against Big League Advance in an attempt to void the future earnings
contract he signed as a 17-year-old minor leaguer that could cost him about $34
million.
The lawsuit, filed in San Diego County Superior Court, accuses BLA of using
predatory tactics to lure him into an "investment deal" that was actually an
illegal loan. BLA misrepresented itself to Tatis, hiding its unlicensed status
and pushing him into loan terms banned by California's consumer protection
laws, the suit alleges.
Attorney Robert Hertzberg said the suit also seeks public injunctive relief to
protect young athletes from being lured into such deals.
Hertzberg said Tatis received $2 million up front in exchange for 10% of future
earnings. Tatis signed a $340 million, 14-year contract in February 2021.
Hertzberg said Tatis would also be on the hook for future earnings from any
subsequent contract he might sign, unless the deal is voided.
"I'm fighting this battle not just for myself but for everyone still chasing
their dream and hoping to provide a better life for their family," Tatis said
in a statement provided by a publicist. "I want to help protect those young
players who don't yet know how to protect themselves from these predatory
lenders and illegal financial schemes --- kids' focus should be on their
passion for baseball, not dodging shady business deals."
Tatis, a son of the former big league infielder, declined further comment
before Monday night's game against the Washington Nationals.
Hertzberg said that even though Tatis signed the deal in his native Dominican
Republic, he is covered by California consumer protection laws.
BLA declined comment.
"California lawmakers have put in place serious, straightforward protections
against predatory financial activity, but BLA has still disregarded our laws to
pursue a business model built on prohibited, deceptive and abusive practices,"
said Hertzberg, a former speaker of the California State Assembly and majority
leader of the California Senate.
Tatis has blossomed into one of the game's biggest stars, although he's been
dogged by injuries and an 80-game PED suspension handed down by MLB in 2022. He
debuted in 2019 and was an All-Star at shortstop in 2021 before being moved to
right field, where he was an All-Star last year.
BLA sued former one-time Padres outfielder Franmil Reyes on June 16 in Delaware
Superior Court, claiming breach of contract. BLA says Reyes owes $404,908.87 in
past due payments plus $298,749.13 in interest, as well as a
yet-to-be-determined amount from when he played in Japan.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
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