Santo Domingo. Fernando Tatis Jr., a prominent Dominican outfielder, has been ordered to pay $3.74 million to Big League Advance (BLA) by an independent arbitrator. The information was revealed after the player’s attempt to invalidate a future earnings agreement he signed in 2017. The original agreement with BLA, finalized in October 2017, provided Tatis Jr. with 2 million dollars in exchange for 10% of his future earnings. The 14-year, 340 million dollar contract that the player signed with the Padres in 2021, implies that the portion corresponding to BLA would amount to 34 million dollars. Court documents indicate that Tatis has not made payments since the end of 2023. This led the company to file a petition with the Superior Court of the District of Columbia on September 24 to confirm the arbitration award. The request includes $3.23 million in outstanding payments, plus $240,515 in interest, $250,000 in legal fees, and $14,349 in additional expenses. The player argues that BLA acted as an unlicensed lender, employing manipulative and illegal tactics to obtain an unfair contract. His legal team seeks protection under California consumer protection laws, arguing that the agreement was detrimental and that the company violated state regulations.
The arbitrator dismissed Tatis’ attempts to suspend the arbitration proceedings, arguing that the BLA advance cannot be considered a traditional loan, as it was “unconditionally paid,” even if the player did not make it to the Major Leagues. Furthermore, he maintained that the funds were not intended for personal or domestic purposes, so the protections of the California consumer code do not apply. The legal conflict persists, as the arbitrator does not have jurisdiction over the lawsuit that the baseball player maintains in California, while BLA seeks the execution of the arbitration ruling in the District of Columbia. This situation represents a new financial challenge for Tatis Jr., despite his lucrative contract in the world of baseball.“Paid unconditionally”
Referee
