‘The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani’ Podcast Drops First Episode with Never-Before-Heard Audio
More than two years after Ippei Mizuhara was fired and sentenced to nearly five years in prison for defrauding Shohei Ohtani, his voice is finally being heard. ESPN’s new six-episode podcast series, “The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani,” debuted Tuesday, featuring the only extensive on-record interview Mizuhara has ever given.
The first two episodes, released July 28, include audio from a 90-minute conversation Mizuhara had with ESPN investigative reporter Tisha Thompson in March 2024 — hours before the story that would rock Major League Baseball broke. In the recording, an emotional Mizuhara tells Thompson he initially told the reporter that Ohtani had agreed to help cover his massive gambling debts, a claim he reversed less than 24 hours later.
“My heart’s ripping apart every minute,” Mizuhara says in the podcast, recounting how he placed more than 19,000 wagers through an illegal bookmaking operation run by Matthew Bowyer. The federal affidavit later showed Mizuhara accumulated tens of millions in debts, none of which were placed on baseball.
What the audio reveals
The podcast, produced by ESPN’s 30 for 30 Podcasts, tracks the reporting process that led to the scandal’s exposure. Thompson recounts how sources alerted her to wire transfers from Ohtani’s bank account to Bowyer’s operation. After contacting Ohtani’s representatives, Mizuhara agreed to an interview that federal authorities later said “created an international incident.”
In the recording, Mizuhara describes meeting Bowyer at a poker game, sinking deeper into debt, and eventually approaching Ohtani for help. “I asked him if he could pay my debt off. He had to give it,” Mizuhara is heard saying. But by the next day, he admitted he had lied, and the Dodgers fired him. Ohtani accused Mizuhara of “massive theft,” and both MLB and federal law enforcement have since cleared Ohtani of any wrongdoing.
Why This Matters: The Betrayal That Shook Baseball
The Ohtani interpreter scandal remains one of the most dramatic stories in recent sports history. Mizuhara, who had been Ohtani’s close friend and interpreter for years, was sentenced in February 2026 to 57 months in prison after pleading guilty to defrauding Ohtani. Bowyer received a one-year-and-one-day sentence for running an illegal gambling business.
The scandal erupted just as Ohtani was preparing for his debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in Seoul, South Korea, in March 2024. The timing could not have been worse for the league’s biggest star, who had just signed a record-breaking contract. The incident also cast a shadow over MLB’s strict anti-gambling policies, though Ohtani was ultimately exonerated.
Ohtani’s current status on the field
Meanwhile, Ohtani continues to perform at an elite level. The Dodgers are navigating the trade deadline with Ohtani temporarily out of the rotation due to an ailing left knee, though he remains the designated hitter. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Ohtani’s knee has not hindered his offensive production, and the team is optimistic about his return to the mound.
The Dodgers’ rotation depth has been tested, with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow missing significant time. But president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman believes the team’s pitching depth is strong enough for October. The Dodgers remain engaged in trade talks for Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, though they may not need to make a major move if key players return from the injured list.
The Broader Implications: Gambling, Trust, and the Media’s Role
The podcast highlights the evolving relationship between athletes, their inner circles, and the media. Mizuhara’s betrayal serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked access and financial trust. For sports journalists, the series underscores the importance of verifying information before publishing — Thompson’s reporting relied on bank records and multiple sources before the interview ever took place.
Trends in sports media and collectibles
The Ohtani scandal also intersects with the booming sports trading card market. A one-of-a-kind 2026 Topps Chrome Back-to-Back Gold Logoman autographed patch card of Ohtani now carries a $10 million bounty from Hong Kong-based Grade 10, reflecting his enduring star power. The card commemorates Ohtani’s back-to-back NL MVP awards, a feat unprecedented in MLB history.
Beyond the diamond, the podcast’s release comes amid a cultural moment where athletes’ personal stories are increasingly commodified. The Mizuhara case, like the saga of BTS skipping the 2027 Grammys over a new Asian pop category, shows how loyalty and betrayal continue to dominate headlines. And for fans who prefer music over baseball, the Outside Lands 2026 livestream offers an alternative escape from the sports world’s drama.
What’s Next for Ohtani and the Dodgers
As the Aug. 3 trade deadline approaches, the Dodgers are focused on health and depth. Ohtani’s return to the mound remains uncertain, but the team’s offensive core — including Freeman, Mookie Betts, and Ohtani — makes them a World Series favorite. The podcast series will continue to draw attention to the Mizuhara saga, but for Ohtani, the narrative has shifted back to his on-field greatness.
For now, listeners can hear Mizuhara’s own account of the scandal that nearly derailed baseball’s brightest star. The first two episodes are available now, with new episodes released weekly.
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