The headline: MLB’s season-opening Seoul Series got overshadowed by scandal when it was revealed that LA Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter and friend Ippei Mizuhara was fired for allegedly stealing millions from Ohtani to settle his gambling debts. Shocking to say the least.
The breakdown: The scandal revolves around over $4.5M transferred from Ohtani’s account to an illegal bookmaking operation currently under federal scrutiny. Mizuhara, Ohtani’s companion since 2013, reportedly accrued the debts.
The twist: On Tuesday, just before Ohtani’s Dodgers debut, Mizuhara spoke with ESPN about the accusations. In the 90-minute interview, he claimed that Ohtani had sent the money to cover his gambling debt and that Ohtani had no involvement in the bets.
However, the next day, Ohtani’s lawyers denied Mizuhara’s version, stating that Ohtani was actually a victim of a significant theft and called for an investigation. Mizuhara later retracted his initial statement before being dismissed on Wednesday.
Looking at the bigger picture: The conflicting accounts have sparked widespread speculation and conspiracy theories, highlighting the implications of sports betting. This week has seen the Ohtani controversy, NBA fans overstepping boundaries with sports betting, and a glimpse into how the rise in sports betting is affecting athletes’ mental well-being.
