USC students and faculty have reservations about the multiple accounts that have come out of the recent controversy with one of baseball’s biggest stars, Shohei Ohtani.
The Dodgers fired Ohtani’s interpreter last week for allegedly stealing around $4.5 million from Ohtani’s bank accounts to pay off gambling debt, according to ESPN.
Ippei Mizuhara originally claimed that Ohtani knew of and paid off debts in an interview he gave to ESPN with a spokesman for Ohtani present. Just over 24 hours later, these statements would be denied by Ohtani’s team.
During a press conference on Monday, the 29-year-old baseball phenom claimed — via a new interpreter — that he never engaged in any sports gambling and Mizuhara stole the money from his account. He also said that he has never had someone gamble on his behalf.
“It smells fishy,” said Rob Parker, a USC sports media professor. “How does an interpreter get a hold of your account and take that kind of money out and you have no idea? Banks would call you or send you any [message] that there’s some money coming out of your account.”
Some students are skeptical about believing the story from Ohtani and his lawyers.
“It’s kind of suspicious. There’s $4.5 million being wired out of your own bank account, and having so much money like that, you have accountants,” said Justin Huh, a sophomore studying business administration. “And they’re not flagging anything like that?”
“I think it sounds pretty fishy and I’m suspicious that the story being told is actually true,” said Alistair Campbell, a graduate student studying non-profit leadership and management.
Some students, although suspicious, remain cautiously optimistic because they like Ohtani.
“Maybe Ohtani did some online betting with an illegal bookie in California, but I really hope that’s not the case because he’s the face of baseball right now,” said Ty Kawamura a senior studying economics. “Also, I’m Japanese, and he’s the pride and joy of Japan right now. I really hope it was the interpreter.”
Mizuhara spoke to ESPN last Tuesday regarding suspected gambling activity with a Southern California bookmaker, claiming that Ohtani was willing to pay off Mizuhara’s gambling debts.
However, the story would switch after Ohtani’s lawyers claimed that Ohtani had no involvement in the matter and that the former Los Angeles Angel was a victim of “massive theft,” according to a statement they issued to ESPN. His team eventually announced they would turn the matter over to authorities.
The Dodgers subsequently fired Mizuhara while the Dodgers played two games in South Korea. The former interpreter backtracked, claiming that Ohtani never assisted him in his debts and that he previously lied in his interview with ESPN.
Due to the questionable and suspicious timeline of events, the MLB launched an investigation into the matter on Friday.
The Dodgers recently acquired Ohtani in December 2023 during the MLB free agency period. After spending six years with the Angels, the Japanese designated hitter and pitcher signed a 10-year contract worth $700 million to stay in Southern California — the biggest contract in MLB history.
“I think the MLB should definitely investigate it to get to the bottom of it,” Kawamura said. “I just really hope it’s not another Pete Rose situation because I really enjoy Ohtani as a player.”
Pete Rose is a former 23-year MLB veteran — and the all-time leader in total hits — who was banned for life by the MLB due to betting on baseball games. He is also still ineligible to join the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
“[The MLB] will look at it, but people think that they’re going to go soft on him because he is the biggest star in baseball,” Parker said. “I disagree with that. I don’t think baseball ever wanted to shun Pete Rose, but they had no choice because you can’t play around with the integrity of the game.”
Within its collective bargaining agreement, the MLB suspends players for one year if they are found guilty of betting on any type of baseball game. However, it could elevate to a permanent suspension if the betting involves games in which the players are involved.
MLB players are permitted to place legal bets on sports other than baseball in jurisdictions in which such bets are legal, according to the MLB’s Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Sports gambling is prohibited in the state of California. If Ohtani is found to be involved in the matter, he could be subject to fines, suspensions and possible prosecution.