Years ago, ESPN released an immensely popular and well-done documentary series known as “30-for-30.” So immensely successful was its first round of 30 documentaries that they have continued the series up to present day.
However, with the increasingly popularity of podcasts, the network has pivoted a bit to make some of these documentaries in audio form.
On Monday, ESPN announced its newest 30-for-30 podcast, which will focus on the gambling scandal involving Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter.
ESPN announces a new 30-for-30 podcast on Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter
Per a press release from ESPN:
“ESPN today announcedThe Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani, the newest installment in its acclaimed 30 for 30 Podcasts series, will premiere July 28. Hosted by ESPN investigative reporter Tisha Thompson, the six-part series examines one of the biggest scandals in baseball history and the collapse of the relationship between Shohei Ohtani and his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.”
The schedule for the release of each episode of the six-part series are as follows:
- July 28 – Episode 1: The Letter O
- July 28 – Episode 2: The Interview
- July 30 – Episode 3: Baseball Boy
- August 4 – Episode 4: The Bookie
- August 6 – Episode 5: The Feds
- August 11 – Episode 6: Footnote
What should be incredibly compelling about this podcast is that it will include the only interview that Ippei Mizuhara gave about the scandal.
For those unfamiliar, Mizuhara was investigated, indicted, and convicted of multiple financial crimes involving sports gambling. To put it plainly, he stole millions of dollars from Ohtani throughout the years, using the funds to place sports bets all over the world.
Ohtani himself has been cleared of any wrongdoing and had no knowledge of what his supposed friend was doing with his money.
Per a previous report by ESPN, “The Dodgers fired Mizuhara in March 2024 after an ESPN investigation revealed he sent millions in wire transfers from Ohtani’s account to an illegal bookmaker. He pleaded guilty to bank fraud and filing a false tax return in June 2024, admitting that he placed about 19,000 bets with the bookie over a two-year period and accumulated over $40 million in debt.”
Mizuhara is currently serving 57 months in federal prison after being convicted of stealing $17 million from Ohtani.
