Fernando Tatis Jr. Takes a Stand: Lawsuit Against Big League Advance Fund for Unfair Business Practices

San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. recently filed a legal complaint against Big League Advance Fund and Big League Advantage, LLC (BLA). This company provides upfront cash to players in exchange for a portion of their future MLB earnings. Tatis owes millions to BLA after agreeing to their deal back in 2017.

The complaint, submitted in the Superior Court of California, claims BLA engages in “exploitative, predatory business practices,” particularly targeting young athletes from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Tatis, who signed a massive 14-year, $340 million contract with the Padres in 2021, had previously viewed his deal with BLA positively. In an interview in 2018, he mentioned needing the money for a personal trainer and better living conditions. Back then, he felt confident about his future earnings in the MLB.

However, Tatis’s perspective appears to have changed. The lawsuit suggests BLA operates an unlicensed lending business, avoiding legal scrutiny and profiting off young players from California.

In his statement, Tatis emphasized his fight is not just for himself but for younger players who might not recognize these financial traps. He wants them to focus on their baseball dreams instead of worrying about unfair contracts.

Tatis isn’t the first player to take action against BLA. Former MLB player Francisco Mejía filed a lawsuit in 2018, accusing the company of deceptive practices. He later dropped the case. Critics argue that young Latin American players are particularly vulnerable to these kinds of agreements.

Interestingly, money from BLA isn’t technically a loan. If a player doesn’t make it to the majors, they owe nothing. But if they do, the repayment can involve a significant percentage of their pre-tax earnings. Michael Schwimer, CEO of BLA, claims their mission is to help minor leaguers prepare for uncertain futures, but many dispute this.

California has laws to protect against predatory lending, yet BLA’s practices continue to raise alarms. Robert Hertzberg, part of Tatis’s legal team, highlighted the need for stricter enforcement of these laws.

While the outcome of Tatis’s lawsuit remains to be seen, it reflects broader concerns about the financial exploitation of young athletes. As more players speak out, the spotlight is on how the industry can better protect its emerging talents.



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San Diego Padres, MLB