Before the 2024 regular season began, Shohei Ohtani held a press conference in which he denied ever betting on sports and refuted his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara’s claim that he was voluntarily paying off his gambling debt. Disgraced former NBA referee Tim Donaghy, who served time for betting on games he officiated, expressed doubt that Ohtani was unaware of Mizuhara’s addiction to gambling. Donaghy believes that Major League Baseball swept the scandal under the rug due to Ohtani’s global popularity and the last thing the league wanted was for him to be associated with betting on his own games. Donaghy also suspects that Mizuhara likely bet on baseball, given the vast number of bets he placed and the amounts wagered.
Donaghy, along with MLB’s all-time hits leader Pete Rose, believes that Ohtani was involved in the gambling scandal. Rose commented that he would have benefitted from having an interpreter like Mizuhara back in the ’70s and ’80s. Mizuhara, facing legal charges related to bank fraud and falsifying a tax return, is expected to plead guilty. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California stated that Mizuhara exploited his position of trust with Ohtani to fuel his gambling habit. He was able to access Ohtani’s bank accounts and stole an estimated $17 million, which he will be required to repay as part of the plea agreement.
Ohtani maintained his innocence, stating through a new interpreter before the Dodgers’ final spring training game that he had never bet on sports or asked someone to do so on his behalf. Ohtani expressed shock and disappointment that someone he trusted had engaged in illegal activities. Despite the scandal, Ohtani remains the highest-paid player in MLB after signing a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. MLB and Ohtani’s agent, Nez Balelo, did not immediately respond to Donaghy’s statement. The league and Ohtani are likely working to address the fallout from the scandal and protect Ohtani’s reputation and standing in the baseball community.
The scandal involving Ohtani’s former interpreter has raised questions about the extent of Ohtani’s knowledge and involvement in the situation. Donaghy’s belief that Ohtani was aware of Mizuhara’s gambling activities and potential involvement in betting on baseball games has added to the uncertainty surrounding the case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized Mizuhara’s significant role in Ohtani’s life, with access to his bank accounts and the ability to withdraw funds for gambling purposes. Ohtani’s denial of any involvement in betting on sports stands in contrast to the allegations and legal charges faced by Mizuhara, highlighting the complexity and seriousness of the situation.
As the legal proceedings continue and Ohtani navigates the aftermath of the scandal, the impact on his career and reputation remains to be seen. The scandal has underscored the potential risks and consequences of individuals abusing their positions of trust and authority for personal gain. Ohtani’s status as a global baseball star and MLB’s highest-paid player adds a layer of complexity to the situation, with stakeholders closely monitoring developments and potential repercussions. Moving forward, Ohtani and MLB will need to address the fallout from the scandal, protect Ohtani’s reputation, and uphold the integrity of the sport amid ongoing legal proceedings and public scrutiny. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct in professional sports to maintain the trust and confidence of fans, sponsors, and the broader baseball community.
