On the eve March Madness, the sports world turned it’s eyes to Major League Baseball for one of the worst possible reasons: A gambling scandal involving the game’s undisputed king, Shohei Ohtani.
For those just getting up to speed, Ohtani’s camp is alleging a “massive theft” of roughly $4.5 million used to cover gambling debts incurred by the two-way star’s longtime interpreter and close friend, Ippei Mizuhara, who was fired by the Dodgers after their season-opening victory on Wednesday.
Just how much Ohtani knew about Mizuhara’s gambling and the underground bookmaker he placed bets with is still not entirely clear. There will be lawsuits on lawsuits, investigations on investigations. For now we know Ohtani is not in any trouble with Major League Baseball. But there are a few burning questions we are desperate to answer as this saga unfolds.
1
Why did Mizuhara's story change so suddenly?
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The reporting from ESPN’s Tisha Thompson has been absolutely vital here. Thompson spoke with Mizuhara for 90 minutes on Tuesday in which the interpreter explained he had run up the debt betting on NBA, soccer, NFL and college football — but never bet on baseball. When he needed help paying off his bookie, he originally told ESPN that Ohtani was willing to provide the funds.
Less than a day later, Mizuhara changed course, saying Ohtani had no involvement and did not know about his gambling problem:
Initially, a spokesman for Ohtani told ESPN the slugger had transferred the funds to cover Mizuhara’s gambling debt. The spokesman presented Mizuhara to ESPN for a 90-minute interview Tuesday night, during which Mizuhara laid out his account in great detail. However, as ESPN prepared to publish the story Wednesday, the spokesman disavowed Mizuhara’s account and said Ohtani’s lawyers would issue a statement.
2
How did the bank agree to transfer the money if Ohtani didn't know?
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Mizuhara originally told ESPN that Ohtani “logged onto his own computer and sent the wire transfers under Mizuhara’s supervision in installments over several months last year”. Mizuhara disavowed that statement not long after.
But if Ohtani had no knowledge, how on Earth would a bank go ahead and transfer that much money? Was there really no additional authentication needed to wire millions of dollars without Ohtani’s confirmation?
We need more info here.
3
What bets did Mizuhara place?
(Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)
This one is straightforward. Mizuhara claims he never bet on baseball. The feds have already been investigating the alleged bookmaking operation of Matthew Bowyer, with whom Mizuhara reportedly placed his wagers.
Hopefully we can get a glimpse at their communications to confirm the worst-case scenario has been avoided and Mizuhara truly never bet on any baseball games.
4
Why does it seem like Ohtani and Mizuhara were just fine during Game 1 in Seoul
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Dodgers fired Mizuhara immediately after their victory over the San Diego Padres in Seoul, South Korea. But just watching the broadcast you’d never know Ohtani’s camp was about to accuse his long-time friend of “massive theft” in the millions.
This doesn’t really seem like how you would act towards someone who allegedly hacked your bank accounts and stole your hard-earned money.
