SAN DIEGO. – San Diego Padres star player Fernando Tatis Jr. suffered a harsh legal setback after a California court dismissed his attempt to void an agreement signed in 2017 with the investment firm Big League Advance Fund.
The San Diego Superior Court’s decision obliges the Dominican player to fulfill the contract through which he received a two-million-dollar advance when he was a minor league prospect, in exchange for 10% of his future professional earnings.
According to the resolution, Tatis Jr. will have to assume millionaire payments derived from the agreement, including more than 3.2 million dollars previously established in arbitration, in addition to covering legal fees exceeding 240 thousand dollars.
The contract was signed when the player was just 18 years old and had not yet debuted in the Major Leagues. Years later, the shortstop signed a mega-contract of 340 million dollars with the Padres, which significantly increased the amount the company expects to receive.
The baseball player’s defense argued that the agreement was unfair and that the player was fraudulently induced to sign it, alleging that the company took advantage of young talents with economic needs. However, Judge Judy S. Bae determined that the arbitration decision was legal and valid.
Tatis Jr.’s lawyers announced they will appeal the ruling in an effort to overturn the sentence.
The case has reignited the debate over this type of financial agreement used with young prospects, especially Latin American players, who often sign future millionaire contracts in exchange for immediate money during the early stages of their careers.
