ESPN teases interview with Shohei Ohtani translator behind $17 million gambling scandal in new 30 for 30 documentary

On Monday, ESPN’s “30 for 30” X account released a trailer for an upcoming documentary series that includes an interview with Ippei Mizuhara, the former translator for Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani.The trailer for the series, which is called “The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani” and will release its first two episodes on July 28, concluded with what sounded like a phone interview with Mizuhara, where he could be heard saying, “I’m Ippei Mizuhara, and you do have permission to record me.” Mizuhara was sentenced to 57 months in prison and was ordered to pay $18 million in restitution in February of 2025 after he pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud and filing a false tax return after he had stolen about $17 million from Ohtani to cover gambling debts. Mizuhara’s prison sentence began on March 24, which means he won’t be out of prison until December of 2029.

Him being interviewed for this documentary series is fascinating, as he hasn’t spoken publicly since his sentencing.Therefore, whatever information he has could added context to the saga of his and Ohtani’s relationship.Mizuhara had exploited his personal and professional relationship with Ohtani (whom he was also close friends with), stealing millions from the two-way player’s account for years and even impersonating Ohtani to bankers at times.Mizuhara did so in order to fund a sports gambling addiction, which amounted to a net loss of nearly $41 million.

Although, he made sure to never bet on baseball.There has always speculation on what true role Ohtani had in this story, and whether he was at all aware of what Mizuhara was doing with his money.Perhaps the interviews Mizuhara does for this upcoming ESPN community will provide more finality in that regard....