Shohei Ohtani Memes/Conspiracies Explode, MLB Star Compared To MJ After $4.5M Gambling Debt Story Takes Bizarre Turn

The bizarre nature of the Shohei Ohtani gambling debt story has led some sports fans on Twitter to speculate that his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara is taking the fall for Ohtani and his alleged gambling debts.

On Wednesday, March 20, it was reported that the Los Angeles Dodgers had fired Ohtani’s Japanese interpreter Mizuhara for allegedly wiring $4.5 million of Ohtani’s money to a bookie. In an exclusive interview with ESPN, Mizuhara accepted full responsibility.

“Obviously, this is all my fault, everything I’ve done… I’m ready to face all the consequences,” Mizuhara said.

Mere hours later, however, the spokesperson who organized Mizuhara’s interview with ESPN disavowed his account and stated that Ohtani’s lawyers would soon be providing a statement.

“Initially, a spokesman for Ohtani told ESPN the slugger had transferred the funds to cover Mizuhara’s gambling debt. The spokesman presented Mizuhara to ESPN for a 90-minute interview Tuesday night, during which Mizuhara laid out his account in great detail. However, as ESPN prepared to publish the story Wednesday, the spokesman disavowed Mizuhara’s account and said Ohtani’s lawyers would issue a statement.”

“The spokesman declined to answer any further questions, and the statement did not specify whom they believe perpetrated the alleged theft.” [via ESPN]

The curious facts about the report and changing of stories has led some baseball fans to believe that the gambling debt is actually Ohtani’s, which has led to some hilarious memes and tweets.

“There’s a nonzero chance Shohei Ohtani has a Michael Jordan size gambling problem and Ippei is such a great friend that he’s taking the fall,” said one viral tweet with over 1 million views.

One of the most common memes has been comparing Ohtani to other high-profile celebrity gamblers, such as Michael Jordan, Pete Rose, and more recently, Bruno Mars.

Another popular take on the meme sees Kizuhara realizing he needs to take the fall of Ohtani, who recently signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and made his debut for the team on Tuesday, March 19 — just one day before the gambling story broke.

What is going on with Shohei Ohtani and the alleged wire payments of $4.5 million to a California bookmaker?

On Wednesday, March 20, it was reported that the Dodgers had fired Mizuhara for allegedly $4.5 million of Ohtani’s money to a Southern California bookmaker named Mathew Bowyer, who is currently under federal investigation and could be facing felony charges.

According to ESPN, multiple sources said that “Ohtani does not gamble, and that the funds covered Mizuhara’s losses.”

However, hours after ESPN published their report, the spokesperson who arranged Mizuhara’s sit-down with the network disavowed the interpreter’s account of the situation and said that Ohtani’s lawyer would be providing a statement expeditiously.

As a result, speculation has exploded that the gambling debt is actually Ohtani’s and that Mizuhara is “taking the fall” for him.