A live-action drama based on the gambling scandal of Shohei Otani’s former translator, Ippei Mizuhara, is about to be released into theaters.
Lionsgate Television is producing a scripted series about an absurd situation involving baseball’s biggest star, and one of his closest friends tries to cover an alleged gambling debt with a California bookie. has revealed that he is suspected of stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani, the studio announced.
“Station 11” producer and Tony Award winner Scott Delman and former Sports Illustrated editor Albert Chen explore Ohtani’s rise to become one of the greatest baseball stars on the planet and the allegations against Mizuhara. He was selected to produce a series that examines the controversy that developed during the Breaking at the start of the MLB season.
“This is the biggest sports betting scandal in Major League Baseball since Pete Rose, and at the center of it is the biggest star player MLB has put on the wagon. “We explore the trappings of wealth and fame,” Chen said in a statement.
News of the program was announced just one day after Mizuhara pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of filing a false tax return.
He could be sentenced to up to 33 years in prison, along with a number of other penalties, including paying full restitution to his victims.
The series currently does not have a name, and Lionsgate has not said which network or streamer will air it.
“Lionsgate Television, with its strong track record of creating bold, boundary-pushing series, is the perfect partner to bring this incredible story to the screen,” Delman said in a statement. . “Additionally, Albert’s extensive sports journalism background will allow him to connect the dots to understand the extraordinary events that occur on the world stage.”
Despite the off-field issues surrounding Ohtani, including the Suwon situation, he performed as advertised in his first season with the Dodgers, and was signed to a massive 10-year, $700 million contract as a free agent in December.
This season, Ohtani leads the majors in batting average (.355), slugging percentage (.678), and hits (54).
