ESPN’s ‘30 for 30’ Podcast Revisits Ippei Mizuhara’s Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani

Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara stole nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar to pay gambling debts, a scandal ESPN’s new ‘30 for 30’ podcast will dissect starting July 28.

What happened between Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara?

Mizuhara, Ohtani’s longtime interpreter and friend, admitted to stealing over $16 million from Ohtani’s accounts to cover his own gambling losses. The theft emerged just weeks before Ohtani signed a record $700 million, 10-year deal with the Dodgers in late 2023. Mizuhara initially claimed Ohtani helped him pay debts, but reversed course within 24 hours.

Why does this scandal still matter for Shohei Ohtani?

The Mizuhara scandal broke as Ohtani prepared for his first season in Los Angeles, casting a shadow over his blockbuster arrival. Federal prosecutors sentenced Mizuhara to nearly five years in prison, and the Dodgers fired him as Ohtani’s interpreter. ESPN’s podcast will air Mizuhara’s first interview about the theft, plus text messages with Ohtani and interviews with the bookie and federal agents.

What’s in ESPN’s ‘30 for 30’ podcast about Shohei Ohtani?

The six-part series drops in pairs on July 28, then weekly. Episode 1, “The Letter O,” and Episode 2, “The Interview,” arrive July 28. The rest follow on Tuesdays and Thursdays through August 11. Listen on ESPN, 30for30podcasts.com, or any podcast app.

Who else is featured in the Shohei Ohtani scandal podcast?

The podcast includes interviews with Mathew Bowyer, the bookie linked to the illegal bets, and three federal agents who prosecuted Mizuhara. Text messages between Mizuhara and Ohtani will also be shared, offering a rare look at the unraveling of one of sports’ most trusted relationships.