Fernando Tatis Jr. intends to appeal after a San Diego Superior Court judge ruled against him in his attempt to unwind a future-earnings agreement. He signed the deal as an 18-year-old in the Dominican Republic.
Judge Judy Bae confirmed her tentative ruling on Friday, stating that Tatis’ legal challenge was filed too late, according to Courthouse News Service.
Tatis indicated on Saturday that he plans to appeal the decision.
“Oh, it’s definitely not over,” he stated.
Tatis has deferred further comment to his legal team.
Details of the Dispute
The case revolves around an agreement Tatis made with Big League Advance. In October 2017, Big League Advance gave Tatis $2 million in exchange for 10% of his future earnings.
After Tatis signed a 14-year, $340 million deal in February 2021, Big League Advance is now reportedly due $34 million.
Tatis sought legal recourse in California, citing the state’s consumer protection laws, despite not signing the contract there.
Arguments Presented in Court
Tatis’ legal team has argued that Big League Advance operates as an unlicensed lender. They allege the company issues illegal loans and uses manipulative tactics to entice teenagers into investment deals.
A BLA attorney told Courthouse News Service that Tatis filed his lawsuit in San Diego nearly a year after arbitration began. The terms of the deal included an agreement to voluntarily submit to arbitration proceedings.
In a June 2025 statement, Tatis said he was “fighting this battle not just for myself but for everyone still chasing their dream and hoping to provide a better life for their family.”
“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,” he said.
Judge’s Ruling and California Law
In her ruling, Bae sided with Tatis’ claim that California law was applicable. This was despite Tatis signing the contract overseas with a company based in Delaware.
Bae wrote that “Delaware’s interest in this dispute is minimal, because the agreement was negotiated in the Dominican Republic and signed there.”
She added, “Additionally, because Tatis made payments on the Player Agreement as a player for the San Diego Padres, the Player Agreement was largely performed in California. Because applying Delaware law would undermine a fundamental California public policy, applying the Delaware choice of law provision would be contrary to the public policy of this state.”
According to Courthouse News Service, Tatis’ attorney, Maurice Mitts, said in Friday’s proceedings that “When you’re dealing with an illegal contract, it can and should be reviewed.”
Mitts added, “The court has an independent obligation to review illegal contracts so long as it was ra.
Financial Implications
As a result of the ruling, the Padres star reportedly owes the Big League Advance Fund just under $3.74 million. This total reflects the money he owed when he stopped making payments since the end of 2023, interest, attorney fees and additional costs.
Bae wrote that a “party challenging the legality of the entire contract must raise such challenges before arbitration proceedings begin.”
Tatis plans to continue his legal fight with an appeal.