The Scandal Surrounding Shohei Ohtani: What You Need to Know

His friend and interpreter Ippei Mizuhara allegedly defrauded him of nearly $5 million and paid the money from Ohtani’s account to pay off his debts with a well-known local bookmaker, while sports betting is illegal in California, where Ohtani plays. At the start of the case, it seemed that the latter had authorized the illegal transaction to help his friend, but the version of the facts therefore changed. So as not to risk sanctions?

Still, the Dodgers immediately fired the indelicate 39-year-old, but the scandal is growing in America. Even though Mizuhara claimed that Ohtani did not indulge in betting or gambling, which is strictly prohibited by MLB rules, the Japanese superstar’s image took a big hit as the season of the Dodgers begins this Thursday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

While waiting to learn more about this dark affair which may well reveal others, the Ohtani affair resembling the tip of an iceberg which could damage the ship of one of the king sports in the United States. United, here are some points that allow us to better understand who Shohei Ohtani is.

1. A $700 million contract

On December 9, Ohtani’s name made headlines. The Japanese left the Los Angeles Angels to join the neighbors of the Dodgers, who printed money: Ohtani signed the biggest contract in the history of sport. If he signed a 10-year contract, he should receive 700 million dollars in… 20 years (a little over 640 million euros). Good prince, the Japanese agreed to defer 68 of the 70 million annual salary, which he will receive at the end of the agreement, every year, from 2034 to 2043. But don’t worry about him: Ohtani has advertising contracts with New Balance, Seiko, Fanatics, Hugo Boss, Oakley and even Japan Airlines, just to put a little butter in the spinach before better days arrive…

2. Two-time MVP

With his previous club, the Angels, Ohtani, nicknamed “Shotime,” never made the playoffs. However, the Japanese (193 cm, 95 kg) was twice voted best player in the League. It must be said that last year, Shohei Ohtani hit 44 home runs, while being credited with 10 victories (Editor’s note: attributed to the pitcher at work when the final advantage was taken) and eliminating 167 opposing players. Enough to make the Dodgers want to loosen the purse strings…

3. The a son own logo

Few athletes mark their sport and their era to the point of having their own logo. We of course think of the success of Michael Jordan, who partnered with Nike. Shohei Ohtani has teamed up with New Balance, which last week unveiled a logo for the Japanese, representing the approach to first base, and which will be used during different projects in 2024. “It’s a visual representation of my journey in baseball and I am delighted to share it with the world,” smiled the athlete.

4. He could have participated in the Olympics in swimming

While at school at Hanamaki Higashi High School in Iwate, Ohtani spent long hours swimming, with his coach, Hiroshi Sasaki, recommending him. He competed in categories where the children were regularly two years older than him. The Japanese was so talented and fast that a coach told him he could consider a future… Olympic. But the Japanese followed in his father’s footsteps and continued in baseball.

5. Discreetly married to a basketball player

Very discreet about his private life, Shohei Ohtani, whose father played baseball and his mother played badminton, announced in February that he had married Mamiko Tanaka. “The season is fast approaching, but I would like to announce to everyone that I got married,” he said on Instagram, where he has 7.8 million subscribers. Mamiko Tanaka, 27, is also sporty. A basketball player, she played from 2019 to 2023 with the Fujitsu Red Wave, even if she decided to move away from her sport somewhat.

2024-03-27 03:31:30
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