Yesterday in Los Angeles, Shohei Ohtani issued his first public comments since last week’s explosive news that the Dodgers had fired the Japanese superstar’s longtime interpreter after some investigative reporters asked why $4.5 million US had been wired from Ohtani’s bank account to an illicit bookmaking operation.
The interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, initially explained that he’d asked Ohtani to pay off his gambling debts for him. But Ohtani’s lawyers denied that, claiming Ohtani was instead “the victim of a massive theft” by his friend, and Mizuhara changed his story to match. As Major League Baseball announced it was opening an investigation, fans spent the weekend wondering what the truth really was. Did the sport’s biggest star actually get robbed by his pal? Or just help him out of a jam? And what about the reverse (and much darker) possibility: was Mizuhara taking a bullet for Ohtani?
According to Ohtani, it was a theft. Sitting next to a new interpreter yesterday in front of a packed room of reporters and reading in Japanese from prepared notes, Ohtani said he has never gambled on sports and did not instruct Mizuhara to wire money from his bank account to a bookie. “Ippei has been stealing money from my account and has been telling lies,” Ohtani said through the new interpreter. “I never bet on baseball or any other sports or never have asked somebody to do it on my behalf.” He did not take questions.
WATCH | Ohtani claims he was victim of theft by friend, interpreter Mizuhara:
Shohei Ohtani addresses gambling scandal, says he’s the victim
1 day ago
Duration 2:04
L.A. Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is addressing the gambling scandal involving his former interpreter. Ohtani says he has never bet on sports, claiming Ippei Mizuhara stole millions from his accounts to cover his gambling debts.
At about the same time Ohtani gave his statement, ESPN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski tweeted that Toronto Raptors centre Jontay Porter was under investigation by the NBA due to “irregularities on prop betting involving him.”
If you’re not familiar, prop (short for proposition) betting involves wagering on things like whether a certain player will score over or under, say, 14.5 points in a particular game. Or get over or under 5.5 rebounds. Or 3.5 assists, etc. You get the idea.
It may surprise you that bookmakers would offer props on someone as insignificant as Porter, a fringe NBA player who’s averaging about four points, three rebounds and a couple of assists in 14 minutes per game this season for the struggling Raptors. But player props are popular with novice gamblers, making them a big profit centre for sports-betting apps like DraftKings, FanDuel and the like that cater to such (mostly money-losing) bettors.
According to ESPN’s reporting, two Porter games — on Jan. 26 vs. the L.A. Clippers and March 20 vs. Sacramento — raised red flags. In both instances, bookmakers noticed a sharp increase in action on the “unders” for various Porter props. And those unders paid out after Porter left both games early for medical reasons. He cited an eye injury after playing just four minutes against the Clippers with zero points, three rebounds and one assist, and an illness after only three minutes against Sacramento with no points, no assists and two rebounds.
ESPN reported that a sportsbook industry source said multiple betting accounts tried to bet large amounts on Porter unders for the Clippers game — “upward of $10,000 and $20,000,” though bettors are typically limited to a thousand bucks or two on such bets. Porter’s salary with the Raptors this season is $415,000. But it’s a two-way contract, meaning he makes less if he’s demoted to a minor-league team.
The Porter controversy lacks the staggering dollar figures of Ohtani’s, but it’s arguably much worse. In Ohtani’s case, it’s plausible that his interpreter indeed simply stole from him and Ohtani has never placed a bet (or asked someone to place a bet for him) with an illegal bookie. And no evidence has emerged tying Ohtani to betting on baseball. But there seems to be pretty compelling circumstantial evidence that Porter may have manipulated his stats in those two games in question. If that turns out to be the truth, it cuts to the very core of the NBA’s integrity — even to the essence of pro sports itself. If fans don’t believe that games are on the level, the whole thing falls apart.
Toronto Raptors centre Jontay Porter is reportedly under investigation for betting on games. The team offered no comment on the report on Monday. (David Zalubowski/The Associated Press)
The Ohtani and Porter scandals are the two biggest stories in North American sports right now, and for good reason. But they’re also making us forget a bunch of other troubling gambling-related items that made headlines just this month.
On March 10, the NBA fined Minnesota Timberwolves centre Rudy Gobert $100,000 US for mocking a referee’s technical-foul call on him by doing that “money” gesture where you rub your thumb and two fingers together, implying that ref Scott Foster was paid off. Later, Gobert said he believes the recent proliferation of sports betting is having an impact on the outcome of games. “I think it’s hurting our game,” Gobert said. “I know the betting and all that is becoming bigger and bigger, but it shouldn’t feel that way.”
Last week, Tyrese Haliburton, one of the NBA’s rising young stars, vented to reporters about the dehumanizing effect that gambling can have on players. “To half the world, I’m just helping them make money on DraftKings or whatever,” the Indiana Pacers guard said. “I’m the prop, you know what I mean? That’s what my social media mostly consists of.”
The following night, Cleveland Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff revealed that he’s been threatened by gamblers. “They got my telephone number and were sending me crazy messages about where I live and my kids and all that stuff,” Bickerstaff said.
The Cavs’ home arena now contains a sportsbook. And, of course, fans in most U.S. states as well as Ontario can legally place bets on the gambling apps right on their phones. Bickerstaff lamented how that’s changed the way people watch games and treat players and coaches. “It’s crossed the line,” Bickerstaff said. “The amount of times where I’m standing up there and we may have a 10-point lead and the spread is 11 and people are yelling at me to leave the guys in so that we can cover the spread, it’s ridiculous.”
WATCH | Ohtani’s interpreter fired following theft, gambling allegations:
Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter fired after alleged illegal gambling, theft from superstar
5 days ago
Duration 2:01
Shohei Ohtani’s long-time friend and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has been fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers after allegations of illegal gambling totalling several million dollars. Initial reports said the MLB superstar paid off that debt, but there are now accusations the money was stolen.
Gambling controversies aren’t limited to the NBA and MLB. Several NFL players have been suspended recently for betting on the league’s games — including star receiver Calvin Ridley, who sat out a full year. In October, the NHL banned Ottawa Senators forward Shane Pinto for 41 games for unspecified “activities relating to sports wagering,” though the league was sure to include that it “found no evidence” he bet on the NHL.
I want to avoid moralizing too much here, especially because I’ve been betting on sports since I was a kid, but all of these stories speak to a certain rot in the whole sports-industrial complex.
The widespread legalization of sports betting in North America, combined with incredibly easy access to it via smartphones, opened the floodgates for leagues to accept oceans of sponsorship money (or “partnerships,” in the parlance of our times) from online betting companies. These outfits are desperate to attract new customers in an extremely competitive industry, and most leagues and teams will sell them anything — including ads right on the court, ice or boards; on players’ jerseys and helmets; and of course on the glorified billboard that is the Jumbotron.
Much of the sports media is no better. In some ways, gambling ad money is keeping the struggling industry afloat. Which is why you can hardly watch a game anymore without being bombarded with ads for betting apps, sponsored gambling lines in the ticker at the bottom of the screen and strained betting “content” during studio segments. It’s much the same on sports radio shows, websites and podcasts. Gambling cash seems to rule everything around us.
But at what long-term cost? Leaving aside the moral element for a second, all these gambling ads and “information” are clearly turning off some longtime fans. Maybe the leagues have decided it’s worth it to alienate these loyal customers for now, but at what point do they lose the connection for good?
Meanwhile, the rise of sports betting and its increased acceptance in mainstream society has surely created more problem gamblers. And it would be naive to think athletes, coaches, referees and the people around them are immune. So it’s not a question of if there’s another Ohtani- or Porter-like scandal coming, but� when.
The French league’s legal commission has ordered Paris Saint-Germain to pay Kylian Mbappé the 55 million euros ($61 million) in unpaid wages that he claims he’s entitled to, the league said Thursday.
The league confirmed the decision to The Associated Press without more details, a day after the France superstar rejected a mediation offer by the commission in his dispute with his former club.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former football star Reggie Bush was at his Encino home Tuesday night when three male suspects attempted to break in, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.
“Everyone is safe,” Bush said in a text message to the newspaper.
The Los Angeles Police Dept. told the Times that a resident of the house reported hearing a window break and broken glass was found outside. Police said nothing was stolen and that three male suspects dressed in black were seen leaving the scene.
Bush starred at Southern California and in the NFL. The former running back was reinstated as the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner this year. He forfeited it in 2010 after USC was hit with sanctions partly related to Bush’s dealings with two aspiring sports marketers.
VANCOUVER – A fresh face has been gracing the B.C. Lions‘ highlight reels in recent weeks.
Midway through his second CFL campaign, wide receiver Ayden Eberhardt has contributed touchdowns in two consecutive games.
The 26-year-old wide receiver from Loveland, Colo., was the lone B.C. player to reel in a passing major in his team’s 37-23 victory over the league-leading Montreal Alouettes last Friday. The week before, he notched his first CFL touchdown in the Lions’ win over the Ottawa Redblacks.
“It’s been awesome. It’s been really good,” Eberhardt said of his recent play. “At the end of the day, the biggest stat to me is if we win. But who doesn’t love scoring?”
He’ll look to add to the tally Friday when the Leos (7-6) host the Toronto Argonauts.
Eberhardt signed with B.C. as a free agent in January 2023 and spent much of last season on the practice squad before cementing a role on the roster this year.
The six-foot-two, 195-pound University of Wyoming product has earned more opportunities in his second season, said Lions’ head coach and co-general manager Rick Campbell.
“He’s a super hard worker and very smart. He understands, has high football IQ, as we call it,” Campbell said.
The fact that Eberhardt can play virtually every receiving position helps.
“He could literally go into a game and we could throw him into a spot and he’d know exactly what he’s doing,” the coach said. “That allows him to play fast and earn the quarterback’s trust. And you see him making plays.”
Eberhardt credited his teammates, coaches and the rest of the Lions’ staff with helping him prepare for any situation he might face. They’ve all spent time teaching him the ins and outs of the Canadian game, or go over the playbook and run routes after practice, he said.
“I’ve played every single position on our offence in a game in the last two years, which is kind of crazy. But I love playing football,” he said. “I want to play any position that the team needs me to play.”
While B.C.’s lineup is studded with stars like running back William Stanback — who has a CFL-high 938 rushing yards — and wide receiver Justin McInnis — who leads the league in both receiving yards (1,074) and receiving TDs (seven) — versatility has been a critical part of the team’s back-to-back wins.
“I think we’ve got a lot of talented guys who deserve to get the ball and make big plays when they have the ball in their hands. So it’s really my job to get them the ball as much as possible,” said quarterback Nathan Rourke.
“I think that makes it easy when you can lean on those guys and, really, we’re in a situation where anyone can have a big game. And I think that’s a good place to be.”
Even with a talented lineup, the Lions face a tough test against an eager Argos side.
Toronto lost its second straight game Saturday when it dropped a 41-27 decision to Ottawa.
“We’ll have our hands full,” Rourke said. “We’ll have to adjust on the fly to whatever their game plan is. And no doubt, they’ll be ready to go so we’ll have to be as well.”
The two sides have already met once this season when the Argos handed the Lions a 35-27 loss in Toronto back on June 9.
A win on Friday would vault B.C. to the top of the West Division standings, over the 7-6 Winnipeg Blue Bombers who are on a bye week.
Collecting that victory isn’t assured, though, even with Toronto coming in on a two-game skid, Campbell said.
“They’ve hit a little bit of a rut, but they’re a really good team,” he said. “They’re very athletic. And you can really see (quarterback Chad Kelly’s) got zip on the ball. When you see him in there, he can make all the throws. So we’re expecting their best shot.”
TORONTO ARGONAUTS (6-6) AT B.C. LIONS (7-6)
Friday, B.C. Place
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE: The Lions boast a 4-1 home record this season, including a 38-12 victory over the Redblacks at Royal Athletic Park in Victoria, B.C., on Aug. 31. The Argos have struggled outside of BMO Field and hold a 1-5 away record. Trips to the West Coast haven’t been easy for Toronto in recent years — since 2003, the club is 4-14 in road games against B.C.
CENTURION: B.C. defensive back Garry Peters is set to appear in his 100th consecutive game. The 32-year-old from Conyers, Ga., is a two-time CFL all-star who has amassed 381 defensive tackles, 19 special teams tackles and 16 interceptions over seven seasons. “Just being on the field with the guys every day, running around, talking trash back and forth, it keeps me young,” Peters said. “It makes me feel good, and my body doesn’t really feel it. I’ve been blessed to be able to play 100 straight.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2024.
