Lionsgate Television is set to produce a scripted series about the gambling scandal involving Japanese baseball superstar Shohei Ohtani and his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Mizuhara recently pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts, making this scandal the biggest in Major League Baseball since Pete Rose. The series will be produced by Scott Delman and Albert Chen, who will bring their expertise in creating daring and boundary-pushing shows to the project.
Ohtani, who recently signed a $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, was embroiled in controversy when his name was found on gambling receipts from a bookie in Anaheim. It was revealed that Mizuhara had been stealing money from Ohtani’s accounts to pay off his debts, leading to his eventual plea deal and termination.
The series will delve into the story of trust, betrayal, wealth, and fame, as Ohtani navigates the fallout of the scandal and maintains his innocence in the face of federal investigations. The show will explore the darker side of sports gambling and the impact it can have on the lives of athletes, as well as the people closest to them.
With no platform or creative talent announced yet, fans of true crime dramas and sports scandals will be eagerly awaiting further updates on this series. Lionsgate Television and the production team are committed to bringing this shocking story to the screen in a way that will captivate audiences and shed light on the complex world of professional sports and the risks involved.
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