New ESPN audio details Shohei Ohtani interpreter betrayal
New audio from ESPN's podcast "The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani" captures Ippei Mizuhara first claiming Shohei Ohtani agreed to cover his gambling debts, then admitting within 24 hours that he lied. Mizuhara later pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $17 million and is serving a 57-month prison sentence.
The six-episode series from 30 for 30 Podcasts, hosted by investigative reporter Tisha Thompson, includes the only extensive on-record interview Mizuhara has given about the affair. For readers tracking celebrity breaking news, the recordings explain how a false first story sparked lasting doubt.
Key Takeaways
- New ESPN audio shows Mizuhara first saying Ohtani helped pay illegal gambling debts.
- Within 24 hours, Mizuhara admitted he lied; the Dodgers fired him amid theft claims.
- Mizuhara pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $17 million and received 57 months in prison.
- MLB and federal authorities have cleared Shohei Ohtani of wrongdoing.
- None of Mizuhara's more than 19,000 wagers were placed on baseball.
What does the new Shohei Ohtani podcast audio reveal?
According to ESPN, Mizuhara told Thompson in a lengthy March 2024 interview that he asked Ohtani to pay off debts to an illegal bookmaker. He said the star "had to give it some thought" and wanted funds sent straight to the debts.
Less than a day later, the Los Angeles Dodgers fired Mizuhara. Ohtani's attorneys said the superstar was the victim of "massive theft." In a second interview, Mizuhara recanted much of what he had just told ESPN.
Federal authorities later said the first interview "created an international incident." At Mizuhara's February 2025 sentencing, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Mitchell argued the clip still made some people doubt that Ohtani was a victim.
Why did Ippei Mizuhara change his story so quickly?
The Athletic reports that after the Dodgers' season-opening win in Seoul, crisis communications lead Matthew Hiltzik told ESPN, "Ippei lied." In a rapid follow-up, Mizuhara admitted Ohtani did not transfer the funds, did not know they were being sent, and had not been told about the debts and wires.
Investigators found Mizuhara had access to Ohtani's accounts and sent wires himself, including transfers labeled as a "loan" to bookmaker Matthew Bowyer's operation. Mizuhara later pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return.
Was Shohei Ohtani involved in the gambling?
Major League Baseball and federal law enforcement have cleared Ohtani of wrongdoing. A federal agent who worked the case described texts between Ohtani and Mizuhara as "vanilla," with no mention of betting.
In the recorded interview, Mizuhara said Ohtani never placed a sports bet and "thinks gambling is terrible." A federal affidavit said Mizuhara placed more than 19,000 wagers and ran up tens of millions in debts, none on baseball. Bowyer was later sentenced to one year and one day for running an illegal gambling business.
Ohtani has largely avoided the topic beyond an early statement denying he bet on sports or willfully sent money to the bookmaker. He now works with interpreter Will Ireton and has continued winning at the highest level with the Dodgers.