Starz is developing a series based on the gambling controversy surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter. The project, from Lionsgate Television, has been in the works for a year and a half.
The project focuses on the shocking theft of $16 million from baseball star Shohei Ohtani by his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Mizuhara used the money to cover massive gambling debts. After the theft was revealed in March 2024, the Dodgers fired him. In 2025, he was found guilty of fraud in federal court and sentenced to 57 months in prison.
California
As a huge baseball fan, and honestly, just a fan of incredible stories, I’m really saddened by everything happening with Shohei Ohtani. It seems he was defrauded out of $16 million, and now his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, is facing charges for bank fraud. It’s just awful to think Ohtani was a victim in all of this.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the series will be produced by award-winning producer Scott Delman, whose credits include “The Book of Mormon” and “A Raisin in the Sun,” and sports journalist Albert Chen. Alex Convery, the writer of “Air,” will serve as showrunner and write the scripts, and Justin Lin, known for directing the “Fast and Furious” films, will direct.
According to Chen, this is the most significant gambling scandal to hit Major League Baseball since the Pete Rose controversy, and it involves one of the league’s most prominent players – a star MLB has heavily invested in. He stated they will investigate a story involving broken trust, deception, and the negative side of wealth and celebrity.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Lionsgate struggled to find a buyer for the project because major media companies – including Disney, Warner Bros., Discovery, Apple, Netflix, and Comcast – didn’t want to risk damaging their relationships with Major League Baseball. Lionsgate previously owned Starz, but the two companies became independent in May.
I have to say, this story is really captivating. I learned that Mizuhara first met Ohtani when he was just an 18-year-old rookie playing for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in Japan. It’s amazing to think about, considering Ohtani has become one of the most incredible two-way players baseball has ever seen!
In 2018, at 23 years old, Shohei Ohtani joined the Los Angeles Angels. Shortly after, Mizuhara became his closest friend and interpreter, handling all communication between Ohtani and English speakers – including the media, his agent, and team staff.
Sports
Financial experts note that athletes and entertainers often struggle with money due to carelessness, unwise investments, and lavish spending on family and luxury items.
I’m absolutely shocked to learn that Mizuhara was secretly taking money from Shohei Ohtani’s account – without his knowledge or consent! Apparently, he even pretended to be Ohtani on the phone with the bank, over twenty times! It’s unbelievable that all of this was happening to fund a massive gambling addiction, racking up losses of around $40 million from thousands of bets. It’s just devastating to think about what Ohtani must be going through.
Mizuhara allegedly collected $142 million in winnings but lost about $183 million.
In December 2023, Shohei Ohtani agreed to a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers. Three months later, a scandal emerged, but federal authorities cleared Ohtani of any wrongdoing, stating he was a victim in the situation.
Shortly after Ippei Mizuhara’s arrest, Shohei Ohtani stated through his interpreter, Will Ireton, that Mizuhara had been stealing money from his account and was dishonest. Ohtani also clarified that he never authorized or agreed to any payments to cover debts or to a gambling site.
“I’m just beyond shocked. It’s really hard to verbalize how I am feeling at this point.”
Ohtani quickly moved past the issue and went on to lead the Dodgers to World Series victories in both 2024 and 2025. He was voted the National League’s Most Valuable Player in both seasons.
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2025-12-10 20:03