The latest development, the Fed clearing Ohtani, only confirms Tisha Thompson’s incompetence. She was “this close to” publishing the bogus story Ippei concocted without directly vetting Ohtani. For the story of this magnitude, her action would have been completely unacceptable. She was only saved by Ohtani’s lawyers and LA Times.

Ippei lied to his spokesperson that he had explained everything to Shohei. Because he didn't want Shohei to find out. At the same time, Ippei first lied that he took over Otani's other friend's debt. In the interrogation from the agent, he confessed the next day that it was a lie. At the time of this discovery of this lie, the agent should have scrutinized the facts with another interpreter Will Ireton in between. Even after the lie was discovered, he left Shohei's interpreter to Ippei until he confessed in front of everyone in the locker room. It's a terrible blunder. In addition, even the confession in the locker room was a lie to Otani. Ippei lied in front of everyone that Shohei paid off his debt. The team made Ippei confess because they thought the story was true. Characteristics of patients with gambling addiction. Withdrew the lie with a lie, he hid to someone else that he lied to someone. And he lied again.

@trevorcarey3997

Ай бұрын

This woman Trisha without credibility is a no name jounalist should be sued to try and ruin Shohei by printing two misinformation statements giving by Ippei whose a known liar without checking the facts.

@trevorcarey3997

Ай бұрын

This woman tisha without credibility is a no name jounalist should be sued to try and ruin Shohei by printing two misinformation statements giving by Ippei whose a known liar without checking the facts.

@B.B.P

Ай бұрын

@@trevorcarey3997 I heard that when Otani returned to the hotel and all Ippei's lies were made clear, the public relations asked her not to post articles. Of course. It will be the spread of false information. Is it okay for a journalist to do this? Also, Eisen calls this woman as a guest and earns a view by commenting arrogantly with a half-hearted understanding of the time series. Aren't Tisha and Eisen aware that they are trying to destroy people's lives and honor?

@arley2246

Ай бұрын

Called reporting ​@@B.B.P

@B.B.P

Ай бұрын

@@arley2246 If you can understand what your ears and IQ are in chronological order, you will understand that this is a report that Ohtani mentioned in the press conference. So, next is "Ohtani is lying"?

Ippei Mizuhara fabricated his academic and career history. He is a liar. There is no reason to believe the first story that such a liar told ESPN. Ohtani is a mere victim and is not responsible for the accountability. ESPN should apologize to Ohtani once he is clarified innocent.

@randysworldd

Ай бұрын

facts

@TRH2243

Ай бұрын

Either way he technically broke the CBA by associating with a known bookmaker. No way a bookie extends 4.5mm+ to an interpreter making 300-400K though. He definitely knew the account was backed by Ohtani. That said, he won't be suspended because he's worth too much $$$ to MLB, especially internationally. He'll get a fine at worst but no suspension

@turneryoung905

Ай бұрын

Lol Shohei’s married already bruh

One thing i could say with absolute certainty, Ohtani is not a gambler. This is squarley on Ippei and its a shame that people are trying to drag Ohtani's name through the mud. Those that think Ohtani is guilty of gambling, particularly on baseball, are simply those who selfishley want to see him fails because they dont like him, hate that he is a Dodger/hate the Dodgers, or both.

@SixerIverson04

Ай бұрын

No one wants him to fail at all. Only you said that. You are like the Pacquiao haters that want Manny to fail in boxing and in life

@SixerIverson04

Ай бұрын

The only thing we do not want is him getting hurt again especially with Tommy John

@metalmilitia1890

Ай бұрын

@@SixerIverson04 Try reading what I said again. I don't think you comprehend what I said

Why didn't ESPN interview Shohei Ohtani in the first place? Money was sent from his account. Why did ESPN interview Ippei Mizuhara instead of Ohtani? This was a big mistake, which allowed him to tell lies and create a huge mess.

@Macattack11639

Ай бұрын

Ohtani rarely does interviews and would NEVER have spoke to ESPN. This reporter was smart and caught them lying

@jayruiz4249

Ай бұрын

@@Macattack11639you’re crazy if you think she’s smart. Because Ohtani should have been there how can you have a hour and a Half conversation with someone on somebody else’s behalf when that subject isn’t even there. You’ll see soon that it doesn’t matter what ippei said because he made up the lie to begin with.

@archipiratta

Ай бұрын

​@@jayruiz4249plausible deniability mate

@Harcorwrestler

Ай бұрын

@@jayruiz4249 Ohtani payed the bookie. That’s the most logical explanation. And that something Ohtani would do. Every other explanation doesn’t pass the smell test.

@sweatyraider7241

Ай бұрын

ESPN is asking to be sued imo

Ippei said first it was for a friends debt then Ippei changed to it was his own then when Ippei announced this after the Korea game to the team, Shohei asked what it was all about, then Ippei said “he will explain later in the hotel” why not translate on the spot? Why explain later? After the talk in the Hotel, Shohei immediately alerted Nez Balelo.

@cindymmm11

Ай бұрын

Thank you

@htusda1

Ай бұрын

The talk later at the hotel was Ippei's last ditch effort asking Shohei to go along with Ippei's story of him covering his debts. Shohei immediately refused and called his management, lawyer to that room and made it perfectly clear what the situation was. So Ippei corrected his story.

Ohtani has been subjected to media harassment every day. Once Ohtani is clearly found not guilty, ESPN need to apologize.😡 Reports in Japan have already revealed how the money can be transferred.

@toddsalkowski448

Ай бұрын

And just how is he clearly not guilty??

@Macattack11639

Ай бұрын

Apologize for what? Ohtani name on the wire transfer. Ohtani doesn’t speak English. So they spoke to his interpreter. Interpreter lied. Period.

@suika197

Ай бұрын

@@Macattack11639 　Because she subjected him to media harassment.

@trg78lji43r

Ай бұрын

Japanese media is heavily biased and can't be trusted, especially when a Japanese national is involved.

@SpaceAgeConsulting

Ай бұрын

@@suika197 Media Harassment? When? Where? He wired 4.5 million dollars to a bookie and the media is trying to get to the bottom of it. Ohtani seems to be free to go about and play baseball and he voluntarily had a press conference. He doesn't seem to be harassed at all.

All these stories came from Ippei. Did the crisis management team ever asked Ohtani directly if he knew about Ippei's gambling before the 1st interview? Or did they ask Ippei if Ohtani knew and Ippei proceeded to lie and said ok for the interview? Ippei had been the gatekeeper for Ohtani and its very plausible that he lied about Ohtani's approval for the interview. The crisis management team wasn't in Korea when they did the interview and who was the closest to Ohtani other than Ippei?

@JasonJia909

Ай бұрын

This. And I’ll also say espn is a bit irresponsible for not having the common sense to completely vet this story before running something they had to have known would blow up Ohtani’s reputation. And they’re downright unethical for not going back and clarifying to everyone now that, if what Ohtani is claiming is true, they def fucked up by giving Mizuhara the opportunity to speak first

@trevorcarey3997

Ай бұрын

This woman without credibility is a no name jounalist should be sued to try and ruin Shohei by printing two misinformation statements giving by Ippei whose a known liar without checking the facts.

@HostileUterus

Ай бұрын

I've been saying this all along. I really think Ippei was gatekeeping Shohei. Ippei wasn't telling Shohei everything that was going on, and Ippei wasn't telling the dodgers/angels everything. They took Ippei's word for it bc he had been with Shohei for so long, he was Shohei's right hand man, and because of the language barrier. I would love to hear Shohei's agent timeline of events.

@DW-op7ly

Ай бұрын

If these reporters found something They should have went to Ohtani to get his side of the story If they took time to verify whose name was in the account and the proper legal name they should have checked to see who had signing authority on the account. Verified who had a history of gambling Knowing this was a charity account which would have had the most scrutiny of all Ohtani’s accounts they should have asked why the payments were being made out of this account . And why wire transfers instead of cash etc etc etc

It seems like ohtani translator wanted to beat ohtani to the interviewer. The lady should've never agreed to interview without ohtani

@toddsalkowski448

Ай бұрын

Seriously??!! NOBODY is turning down that interview!

@johnsonjohnson2633

Ай бұрын

​@@toddsalkowski448you're at risk of spreading misinformation. Unless it comes from ohtani's mouth it's not accurate. It sounds fishy

@toddsalkowski448

Ай бұрын

@@johnsonjohnson2633 I see your point, however, this reporter already has a lot of information and sources relating to this story. It would be ridiculous for her to NOT interview the man closest to Ohtani to hear his side.

@Harcorwrestler

Ай бұрын

@@johnsonjohnson2633what Ohtani’s camp and lawyers are doing is sooooo fishy. It’s all going to be exposed and it won’t look good for Ohtani when the FBI is done with its investigation

@kanajingly8957

Ай бұрын

The mistake she made was publishing this information without having an account from both parties first. Typical ESPN.

The guy lied about his education and prior employers. Lying about not stealing isn't a stretch. Why would he admit that? Maybe he thought Ohtani would back the lie so he isn't arrested for it and can gradually make payments on it. Nothing is know based on his 2 conflicting reports since he has established he is a liar and an addict.

@mirikaku5811

Ай бұрын

Lying is coming for addicts. But Ippei has documented long history of gambling even in Japan which the fighters staff knew. He also went out on Poker nights with Angels teammates which Ohtani never went, instead Ohtani went home to sleep. It was in one of those poker nights that he met this bookie.

@cindymmm11

Ай бұрын

Exactly. Ippei is a pathological liar.

I don’t think Ohtani knew this was happening until he was told Ippe was fired. Many interpreters become much more than just that. In many cases they have power of attorney.

@toddsalkowski448

Ай бұрын

So he had NO IDEA nearly $5 million vanished from his account?? And none of his financial advisors had a clue? Pretty dubious.

@SaNsToRmS24

Ай бұрын

You’re definitely a dodger fan! 😂

@orlandosanchezsr6190

Ай бұрын

Ok lol 😂

@cindymmm11

Ай бұрын

Agree

@Harcorwrestler

Ай бұрын

That is naiveness talking

Only one was lying here and that was Ippei.

The biggest mistake she did was she spoke with only Suzuhara. She should have spoken with Ohtani and Mizuhara together. Ohtani can understand English well. If they were together, Mizuhara’s story would have been completely different. 100% sure if it. Would you wire your money 9 times for your friend’s debt? Maybe once, NOT 9 times…since he promised to never gamble.

Ohtani has been subjected to media harassment every day. I can't believe there are people who say he gambled. Ohtani never gambles, He has criticized gambling. Why don't you want to know what kind of person he is? He is an honest person.He never tells lies.　They dosen't know the mandala chart he wrote. Those who know his upbringing and personality know that he is an honest person.Ohtani is completely innocent Ohtani trusted ippei completely.Ohtani was like family to ippei, so Ohtani entrusted him with money. I really feel sorry for Ohtani. Rich ,　Please save him from media harassment in USA、 Colin coward　and Nick　 realized the truth.They both say Ohtani's completely innocent.👍

@challenger516

Ай бұрын

fake Japanese account lol

Why did she or espn not interview Shohei himself before putting the news out there. Why just listen to the interpreter? As a journalist with integrity should you not get the side of each parties first? Ohtani should sue this journalist for malicious reporting

@David-lf6rr

Ай бұрын

Ohtani’s camp set up the interview

@DW-op7ly

Ай бұрын

Mizuhara was Ohtani’s camp Until he was fired after this interview It’s ironic the same people who think this guy was just a interpreter Are the same people who have no problems in their interviewing the interpreter without the persons whose name is in the account

ESPN believed the story of the man with the mendaciousness for a gamble dependency Even if the story of the man changed, they believed this criminal I can't permit ESPN

@TheFunEnglishTeacher

Ай бұрын

Who said that they believed him either way? They only listened to and reported his story. They said this is what he said. Not that it was the truth or not.

@MarcRavingMad

Ай бұрын

Whereas you only believe the *second* story told by the man you describe as a "criminal" with a "mendaciousness for a gamble dependency" because it matches up with the version that you've decided is true despite zero actual evidence to support it?

@DW-op7ly

Ай бұрын

Yet you lean towards a story of a high profile guy who gambles which we never heard about him doing even though we know he gave all his money in Japan to his mommy and got a 1000 a month allowance which he didn’t spend

@dmichael100

Ай бұрын

Nothing that Tisha Thompson said (ESPN reporter) indicates she believes him at all. In fact, she and Rich (and most everybody else) are still digging because they DON"T believe- at least that they are being totally candid. I don't know who you come up with the assumption that just because ESPN interviews the interpreter,- that means they believe him.

@Kinogotiate

Ай бұрын

You are coping. There is no way that the bookie would have given some random translator millions of dollars of credit. If he didn't know that show hey was backing him from the beginning

The main issue lies in conducting an interview with Ippei, a suspect, without Ohtani's knowledge and subsequently making it public. This has cast unwarranted suspicion on him. Imagine not only being robbed of a large sum but also being betrayed by someone you've trusted for years, only to find yourself absent on that day, while TV reports portray the suspect's words as if they were your own. A correction statement should be issued, in my opinion. Ohtani made significant donations to Ishikawa Prefecture's earthquake relief efforts last year and provided gloves worth hundreds of millions of yen to all elementary schools nationwide. With multiple sponsorship deals, his income is substantial. There's a high possibility that Ippei, the interpreter-secretary, exploited his authority during Ohtani's recovery, potentially misusing it due to gambling debts. Furthermore, recent findings suggest misuse of US bank accounts with Check Writing Privileges for online transfers, raising concerns. For journalists, including ESPN reporters, it's essential to verify information directly with the individual rather than through an intermediary before publication.

This woman without credibility is a no name jounalist should be sued to try and ruin Shohei by printing two misinformation statements giving by Ippei whose a known liar without checking the facts.

Shohei cleared by federal authorities. So this woman is officially a talentless muckraker.

Rich, here are some questions you should be asking…Facts, no illegal book maker will take wire transfers of 4.5mil. IRS, FBI, anti money laundering, terrorist etc. Bookies deal in cash, cash. Players pay in cash so it can’t be traced… 1. Why didn’t Ohtani go get cash to pay out the guy???? 2. Why did the bookie make the most fatal sin of accepting wire transfer. Why didn’t he say, “ohtani let’s do this in cash to protect me and you” 3. Is ippei and the book maker colluding to steal as much as they can and was finally caught at 4.5mil.

@DW-op7ly

Ай бұрын

Interesting If these reporters found something They should have went to Ohtani to get his side of the story If they took time to verify whose name was in the account and the proper legal name they should have checked to see who had signing authority on the account. Verified who had a history of gambling Knowing this was a charity account which would have had the most scrutiny of all Ohtani’s accounts they should have asked why the payments were being made out of this account . And why wire transfers instead of cash etc etc etc

I'm waiting for update from the investigators, not media folks as they will have power of authority to have access to those missing details and not just speculations and one person's claim vs another

@cindymmm11

Ай бұрын

Agree

Hey Rich, she relied on Ippei for the information she got, and so did the Ohtani camp. It's obvious who manipulated the information. Once Shohei realized the real situation, Ippei had to tell the truth. That makes sense to me. Well, we should just wait and see what the authorities have to say.

The original story was from Ippei not Shohei, and then Ippei recanted, he has a history of gambling and also a known liar. In 2018 Ippei claims that he graduated from the University of California-Riverside in 2007, and also claimed he workedcl as an interpreter for the Red Sox in 2012.

@kaxmellerman7528

Ай бұрын

Trevor = ohtani 🥜 rider

@user-ci2wi8eh6h

Ай бұрын

@@kaxmellerman7528Trevor acting like he’s an inside reporter 😂

@cindymmm11

Ай бұрын

Exactly. Ippei has a history of lying. A liar and a gambling addict.

@inoko3423

Ай бұрын

一平さんの１度目の９０分インタビューの時、ESPNは裏どり取材を一切せず、事実として報道した。ESPNの責任は大きい。

@JoshuaMartian-go3tm

Ай бұрын

That's the thing. Why would they trust what Ippei says? He's the one under investigation. lol

How come Ohtani was not around during the interview with Ippei? So far, all the info gathered were directly from the interpreter.

@chu1402

Ай бұрын

Ohtani didn’t even know about the interviews. Ippei didn’t tell him.

@TheMattTrakker

Ай бұрын

@@chu1402 ohtani's team are who set up the interviews...

@mirikaku5811

Ай бұрын

Think Ippei knowing the story was coming out, he wanted to have his version first. A version he changed first he said to the management it was for a friend, then he admitted it was for himself. I’m sure the bookie extended credit because Ippei had said Ohtani will be guarantee this.

@B.B.P

Ай бұрын

Ippei lied to his spokesperson that he had explained everything to Shohei. Because he didn't want Shohei to find out. At the same time, Ippei first lied that he took over Otani's other friend's debt. In the interrogation from the agent, he confessed the next day that it was a lie. At the time of this discovery of this lie, the agent should have scrutinized the facts with another interpreter Will Ireton in between. Even after the lie was discovered, he left Shohei's interpreter to Ippei until he confessed in front of everyone in the locker room. It's a terrible blunder. In addition, even the confession in the locker room was a lie to Otani. Ippei lied in front of everyone that Shohei paid off his debt. The team made Ippei confess because they thought the story was true. Characteristics of patients with gambling addiction. Withdrew the lie with a lie, he hid to someone else that he lied to someone. And he lied again.

@chu1402

Ай бұрын

@@mirikaku5811 up till a few days ago Ohtanis “team” was Ippei. Follow the timeline before making accusations.

It’s wild that Ohtanis camp agreed to the translator interview. Either they didn’t ask him what he’s going to say before hand or it’s evidence that Ohtanis camp is lying when they tried to change the translators story.

@JasonJia909

Ай бұрын

It seems pretty obv to me they asked Ippei once the espn inquiries started coming in, thinking Ippei would get the story from Ohtani, and then Ippei became the tainted middleman for all the info during that 24-36 hours before he was fired. The Ohtani camp had no reason to suspect Ippei at that time. If anything, they were probably all assuming Ohtani did make bets and when Ippei told them his version of events, they were probably thrilled that they could say to the media “it wasn’t Shohei”

@pb8185

Ай бұрын

According to Ohtani’s press conference, Ippei basically told the crisis team that Ohtani agreed to have Ippei clarify with Trisha about the wires with Ohtani’s name on it, and the story Ippei told the crisis team was that Ohtani was paid the money to cover debt for someone, but did not say it was actually Ippei. Now I think it was extremely short sighted of Ippei to do that, foolish even, to think that he could smooth this over without Shohei finding out. And then having the change the story the very next day. So I do still have doubts about both sides, time will tell.

@lRosettaStonedl

Ай бұрын

It’s not that wild. Ippei and Shohei told him to.

@JoshuaMartian-go3tm

Ай бұрын

If Ippei is the perp then he can't be trusted to speak for Ohtani becuz he will give HIS version. Assuming Ohtani didn't direct him to bet.

Anyone with a loser brother can understand how Ohtani found himself in this position he's in right now.

@damarkoc9

Ай бұрын

Thank you. This was the best comment on this story.

@user-ln6re2rz5l

Ай бұрын

Okie dokie 😂😂😂😂😂😂

Great work as always RE!! 🤙

Ippei is a liar. I'm so sick of this. ESPN is not the leader in journalism or the truth. Let the FBI and MLB do their job. The FBI didn't go after Shohei. Why? I don't think it's because the FBI believes Ohtani is good for baseball.

@cindymmm11

Ай бұрын

Exactly. And Ippei is a known liar.

The real truth is Otani was placing bets with Ippei that’s most likely the real truth. But Ippei is taking the fall for it.

So funny how his translator said he knew he couldn’t bet on baseball… but wiring $4.5 million to a mob bookie seemed completely fine 😂

@wasabichips933

Ай бұрын

Or he just didn’t realize that he was an illegal bookie…

@jpm5205

Ай бұрын

He’s not that stupid. And if he actually was, being stupid isn’t not a legal defense.

@aswerty911

Ай бұрын

@@jpm5205 lol that's why Biden's not being charged for keeping classified docs

@trevorcarey3997

Ай бұрын

I bet legally and illegally when I started out, legally you can bet the maximum the money you have in your accont, but illegally some sportsbooks let a person bet way over the limit, $4 million dollars is not uncommon (especially when they know it's a high profile celebrity or someone connected to that person) The bookies knew Ippie was a friend of Ohtan. From my experience of betting what might of happened was, Ippie had $2 million or close to that amount (he was making close to half a million dollars when he left the Angels) and wanted to double that to $4 million and won and then he wagered everything again for a sure bet and lost and could'nt pay (that's happened to me, I bet on everything and roll the dice)

@mirikaku5811

Ай бұрын

Ippei was paid 1,5M to take care of Ohtani’s bills, shopping, sponsor contacts, representation, donations, a donation account with 10M which Ippei had access to..

Ppl have gambling addiction and also huge debt can easily lies

ESPN should know what they are talking of. Ohtani is not a guy who will immerse himself in gambling. He is perfectly planned guy and avoided any controversy around him till date. You guys will regret later once everything will be crystal clear. Don’t lose your reputation.

I get that Tisha Thompson tries to cash in her 15 minutes of fame by going around these talk shows. But, and this is a big BUT, at the end, she didn't come up with any scoop. Instead, she was saved by Ohtani's lawyers and LA Times from not becoming another John Morosi reporting Ohtani flying to Toronto. Whether Ippei lied to her or he sabotaged the communication between the crisis manager and Ohtani (both are likely true, btw) is actually secondary. The important thing here is that Thompson was about to publish a story involving Ohtani without directly reaching Ohtani. For the story with this magnitude, her behavior violates Journalism 101 to me. The least thing she could do is to admit she has been duped and then stop giving any legitimacy to her "scoop".

As a Giants fan I gotta say leave Shohei alone! Go investigate P Diddy instead.

The article she posted with the timestamp on it was a bad article. It keeps saying “ Ohtani said “ when it’s actually “ Mizuhara said Ohtani said “ you need to clarify whose mouth it came out from otherwise it’s just adding more and more confusion!

It's odd that Tisha is actually doing journalistic work at ESPN, it also seems she got her interview style from Dude, Where's My Car? (and then? always works). I'm surprised ESPN still pays journalists, I'd expect someone like her to work at a different publication to break this kind of story. Baseball is at the point now that the only time anyone in media talks about it is some big crazy contract or a big scandal. Cheating, gambling, paying a billion dollars. The actual games? still mostly ignored, even by channels that broadcast them.

Tisha Thompson is INCOMPETENT. The crisis team and ESPN reporter(Tisha Thompson) ARE INCOMPETENT! Both should have gotten the information from the HORSE'S MOUTH, i.e. from Shohei. How to do this? ESPN and the crisis team SHOULD HAVE had their OWN TRANSLATOR! It's malpractice for the crisis team and ESPN not having their own translator and all of this stories would've been avoided. Shohei has NEVER CHANGED HIS STORY! Incompetent ESPN (Tisha Thompson) and the crisis team received differing accounts NOT FROM SHOHEI, but from the liar, Ippei. PLEASE POINT OUT THE INCOMPETENCE of ESPN REPORTER TISH THOMPSON and the crisis team.

Shohei Ohtani has responded that he is cooperating with all investigative authorities. Furthermore, Ohtani stated in an interview with the LA Times, "I know who is investigating the alleged theft, but I cannot disclose which organization is conducting the investigation." Naturally. With investigations initiated by the MLB, DOJ, IRS, HSI, it's not something he can discuss casually. This issue has transcended the scope of Ohtani as an individual. Mizuhara has lied about everything, deceiving both agents and teams. It's extremely malicious. And that's precisely the danger of "dependency." It's truly unfortunate for Ohtani.

If our superstars here can get money stolen from them ie: Tim Duncan etc. why wouldn’t someone who doesn’t barley reads/understand the language get scammed?

@lynnerose7891

Ай бұрын

Because that’s not what happened. Ohtani speaks and reads multiple languages. So does his translator.

@mouseinthehouse_

Ай бұрын

@@lynnerose7891He can speak multiple languages now, but when he first arrived in the US? Absolutely not. At that point Ippei would be setting up all his bank accounts and have all the information required to access them whenever he wanted, as is usual for interpreters.

@cindymmm11

Ай бұрын

@@mouseinthehouse_, well said. Ippei is a known liar

@ladnercr1

Ай бұрын

the English thing is a complete con. he speaks English really well. odds are if he can speak and read well he probably has decent comprehension skills.

@sb17146

Ай бұрын

​@@ladnercr1lol Ohtani speaks English CASUALLY, probably more in a baseball setting. But that doesn't mean his English is good enough to handle technical documents and contracts. Ohtani probably couldn't order a pizza by himself lol

according to the latest from Japanese media, Ohtani has a separate bank account for his charity donations, and Ippei was in charge of it, thus allowing Ippei to make the transfers to his bookie without Shohei's knowledge.

If Ippei stole the money, did Ohtani file charges? Haven’t heard anything on that. In California, maximum sentence for embezzlement is 7 years in jail.

Shohei has no history of gambling, if he did he would not be in a hole racking up a $4 million dollar debt that he cannot pay, he makes over $100million dollars in endorsements. And they have sports betting in Japan and Shohei never gambled there either, why not bet on the players and sports teams in Japan he knows instead of betting on unfamiliar players teams he never followed and know here in the states, and even his teammates here said he refused to go to casinos with them to gamble.

@sportsnutlomeli5253

Ай бұрын

US media just wants clicks this is nothing story.

@kaxmellerman7528

Ай бұрын

Pipe down Trevor

@user-ci2wi8eh6h

Ай бұрын

@@kaxmellerman7528Trevor is lying

@reid1045

Ай бұрын

That is the dumbest argument of innocence. Hey that guy couldn't be the murderer, he's never murdered before!

@zxcvb3772

Ай бұрын

@@reid1045 More like, hey, here's a repeated offender and a guy that has no criminal record, and people like you choose to believe a repeated offender. That's not saying that the guy that has no criminal record is innocent, but if you ask me to pick one I'd share a house with, I'd choose to live with the one that have no criminal record over living with the repeated offender.

The more details I hear, the more it seems like Ohtani was jacked without his knowledge

@toddsalkowski448

Ай бұрын

Then why did the story change from Ohtani gave him the money to HE STOLE FROM ME?? I would believe that if Ippei spoke to the reporter alone, but he was surrounded with Ohtani's crisis management team.

@shedflips

Ай бұрын

That's because that's what they need people to believe to protect Ohtani's future earnings. He's got too much money at stake here to tell the truth. Maybe he is telling the truth, but if he gambled he must lie.

@BitcoinMotorist

Ай бұрын

@@toddsalkowski448 I can't see Ohtani bailing his buddy out nine times. Once, maybe. 9 times, no chance

@toddsalkowski448

Ай бұрын

@@BitcoinMotorist Fair point. However, I keep going back to Ippei interview with ESPN reporter as he is surrounded by Ohtani crisis management team. Why would they let him tell her Ohtani bailed him out?? Then, 24 hours later they all (Ohtani included) are saying Ippei stole the money??

@cindymmm11

Ай бұрын

@@BitcoinMotorist, same. The more detailed I get the more I think Ohtani was scam. Also, Ippei is a known liar.

I stopped believing Ippei after he lied about graduating from college

When you start adding the Vig and interest it adds up quickly. Probably more than half of that debt if not more were those two things I would guess. Does anyone know what kind of interest would be charged for late payments?

Real question now is why is Nez Balelo/CAA still representing Shohei? He needs to fire them and start over with people who speak Japanese so not one word is lost in translation.

We all know for sure one is in plain sight working with authorities and the other is no where to be found.

My biggest thing is why isn’t Ippei arrested, where is he, we haven’t heard anything about him?

This incident gave Ohtani a chance to see who the real friends are, who the friends of business are and whom he can befriend with in the future. One thing for sure is he will never want to be on this show.

Shohei makes over $100 million dollars, to lose $4 million that's like pennies to a person who has that much it would not be a big deal, now if it was $20 million dollars missing like Tim Duncan had his money stolen from a associate then he would notice.

@gonzokaepernick8155

Ай бұрын

If Shohei was a company and he was making that much , and paying his employees the salary they were making .......... the left would lose their minds!!

@NeilTruick

Ай бұрын

Here's the thing: If _I_ make $100 million dollars and _I_ "lose" $4 million, that's 400 million pennies, so I'm going to want to know where those pennies went. The idea that $4 million can simply vanish from someone making $100 million and it not register to them as a concern is an idea only had by someone who has never had even 1% of that kind of money. People without money are quick to assume that people with money don't care about their money because they have so much of it. Trust me...people with money care _way more_ than people without money think they do for the simple reason that they don't want to become one of the people without money.

@kaxmellerman7528

Ай бұрын

Trevor emotionally involved in this case. 😂😂😂

@tailslapguru

Ай бұрын

I’m pretty sure someone at the bank would call him tho, maybe Ippei paid the. Bankers off who knows

@outofnowhere8896

Ай бұрын

@@NeilTruick Among both the poor and rich, some count their pennies while others don't. Ohtani is particularly renowned for his decision to play for the minimum salary under a minor league contract due to age restrictions, despite the prospect of securing a multi-million dollar contract had he waited two years. He prioritized the value of testing his talents at the MLB while young, over financial rewards. His dream has never been to count 70 billion pennies.

1. Ippei's salary from the Angels and Dodgers is not his only source of income. He was paid handsomely by Shohei as well for being his personal assistant and manager. 2. Media sources continue to source $4.5+M as Ippei's line of credit. I'm not sure if these people are dumb. He paid the bookie $500K over a span of a few months, which implies his line of credit was closer to $500K.

The more they dig into Ippei the more lies show up in his backstory. It's bizarre. Apparently he lied about what college he went to and what MLB teams he worked with as well. Gonna find out soon he didn't even really know Japanese and has been Catch Me If You Can-ing it the whole time.

If this illegal sportsbook is under investigation from the feds, it can found out if he bet on baseball or not. That's the million dollar question.

@jpm5205

Ай бұрын

Whether bets were placed on baseball matters much less that tax evasion/wire fraud/tax evasion. Not betting on baseball won’t keep anyone from going to jail.

@mariolanz4187

Ай бұрын

No tax evasion when he lost it all and he paid with money that already been taxed

@mosshark

Ай бұрын

@@jpm5205 No. baseball bets matter way more in this case because that would be breach of contract. He has to go. It's against MLB rules. Full stop. Only winnings get taxed btw. You can't tax money that is lost.

@jpm5205

Ай бұрын

@@mariolanz4187😂 I’m sure the feds and IRS will totally buy that. Whether he “owes” anything has nothing to do with evading. There’s a reason why there’s legal regulated betting overseen by state commissions, and mob bookies.

@jpm5205

Ай бұрын

@@mossharkdude…The Feds couldn’t care less if bets were or were not made on baseball. Someone is going to jail for illegal gambling, racketeering, wire fraud, tax evasion.

If Ohtani agrees to pay the depts of Eppei, will he use his name Shohei Ohtani to send money through wiretap?,when he knows his name will be dragged in case the FBI caught him?

All of this comes down to just how AND how much Ippei was involved in those initial timeline events with espn. Who was the crisis spokesperson and how much did they get info from Ippei as opposed to Shohei directly? Who “volunteered” Ippei for the interview? ESPN leaving a lot of info out and it doesn’t make sense to “protect” these sources since they’re purportedly just Ohtani’s spokespeople. Tischa, please give more details to back up your story

@TheMattTrakker

Ай бұрын

The source is who tipped them off about the federal investigation 2 months ago, that was not Ohtani's camp. You should probably listen closely to what is actually provided before declaring that you need more details.

@pellevastano

Ай бұрын

Honestly, the crisis spokesperson's name doesn't matter that much. What is consistent in Tisha's reporting is the Crisis Spokesperson only comes into play shortly (2.5 hours) after ESPN contacts Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo. After talking with the spokesperson, who was not clear on whether the information ESPN was gathering from the spokesperson was from Balelo or from Mizuhara, so the request for Mizuhara to interview directly was made. As for why the spokesperson's name isn't being released, that is likely the request of the spokesperson, whether as an individual or as they're firm's policy, not to reveal their name. Besides, this crisis spokesperson is not supposed to be their as an individual, but as a talking head for Shohei Ohtani and his agent. Note that in ESPN's timeline, they specifically asked the Spokesman to go on the record on behalf of Shohei Ohtani regarding the change in story, which is what led to ESPN getting a statement from Ohtani's lawyers at 2pm on the 20th. Tisha Thompson has a very in depth timeline of events that explains in detail what happened according to the reporting available to her and ESPN. I highly recommend you read through that entirely.

@JasonJia909

Ай бұрын

@@TheMattTrakker nope. I know who she referred to as the source. I’m also saying she’s not naming the spokesperson. Who is also a “source” and one that doesn’t need to be protected. Sorry I wasn’t clear, I just assumed people would be smart enough to understand without me having to spell everything out for you

@JasonJia909

Ай бұрын

@@pellevastano I read the report already. It’s clear and for some reason people think it lays out a bunch of inconsistencies. But it doesn’t. I suggest you read it again as well with the perspective that Mizuhara may have been fabricating things or distorting truths from the get go. That will inform how you see the events being played out. And that is precisely the element missing in this reporting- no suspicion that Mizuhara’s statements were tainted. If there was suspicion, then why would espn ever go to Mizuhara for a direct interview to begin with? Why not ask the spokesperson to bring Ohtani in person? And if there were adequate suspicion, why wouldn’t you ask the spokesperson if he heard these accounts from Ohtani himself, or solely from Mizuhara? That’s why the spokesperson is important in all of this. He/she can clarify a lot. And a lot of it is ESPN not considering the possibility from the get go that Mizuhara might be tainted. Does that help you understand?

We only know 2 of those payments were in 2023. We don’t know if those other payments were in before 2023.

@aswerty911

Ай бұрын

She says in the clip, her sources say payments were all made in 2023

@theshawshankinception1220

Ай бұрын

The fact that there are only two known payments to the bookie of 500K each might mean that the other 3.5M was not paid to the bookie under investigation, but to either another bookie or just stolen by Mizuhara. But we shall see.

Thompson didn't know squat. She knows what the rest of us do.

@philliesfantyler

Ай бұрын

Because she wrote the story…

@user-ws6nl9cr4j

Ай бұрын

Right, she didn't know "squat." Say that you don't understand journalism without actually saying that you don't understand journalism. There is a ton more that she knows with probably 80-90% certainty, but cannot say publicly right now.

@SpecialEd_59

Ай бұрын

And there you have it folks, the stupidest comment on the interwebs today.

@sweetspot123

Ай бұрын

She is just an interviewer. FBI leaked the info to ESPN and she was chosen to do so. This is why she doesn't know too much. According to a lawyer on Japanese TV

@MarcRavingMad

Ай бұрын

​@@sweetspot123And how does "a lawyer on Japanese TV" know this?

It seems like ESPN didn’t do a good job on vetting this information and rushed to get the scoop. Basic clarifying questions that should have been asked were not. Protecting the source I get, but this sounds like getting to the truth took a backseat to protecting the source.

Love you Rich but there's nothing new here. Why not wait for the investigation to complete.

Ippei looks like a Yakuza guy from a video game

@Samsaraindo

Ай бұрын

He looks really shady

What a bombshell

The family name "Otani" is a fairly common surname where I live (Hawaii). It didn't dawn on me until last week that Shohei's last name is the same ... just converted to english differently when translated from his native kanji. That's what happens when names are translated. Names like Wong, Wang, Wung, Hwang may have all had identical names in their native calligraphy.

I know how he got "credit". . . The bookies and Mobsters knew that they could squeeze or possibly blackmail Ohtani. . .it's a win win situation for the bookies

@johnsonjohnson2633

Ай бұрын

Doesn't make sense. The bookie is doing something illegal. By snitching on ohtani he's snitching on himself

A lot of people seem to be certain about stuff like Ippei having power of attorney or access to Ohtani's accounts despite absolutely no evidence that this is true. Wanting to see evidence to back Ohtani's story is not the same thing as saying that he's done anything wrong.

@user-uu9nf8fi1i

Ай бұрын

How the translator repeated the money transfers without permission is a subject of investigation, and it is impossible to ask Otani to elaborate on the stolen money.

@sb17146

Ай бұрын

I'd trust the Japanese media more than I trust the Americans lol

@MarcRavingMad

Ай бұрын

@@user-uu9nf8fi1i All the more reason to avoid rushing to any conclusions about things that haven't been supported with any evidence, like people stating that Ippei had power of attorney as if it is an established fact.

And so media knows a few months ago but Ohtani didn't?😂

The fact the translator got credit like this from a guy that was running an illegal book ..... they low key OWNED Ohtani .... that was their angle

@aswerty911

Ай бұрын

and they forced him to play an MVP level! LOL

@cindymmm11

Ай бұрын

Right on

This KZread channel is the best!

Paying your bills doesn't necessarily increase your credit limit

Dan......get a man from a bank on and question him on what has to take place before they allow a huge figure go through.....please check with a bank

@richardmesson

Ай бұрын

Bobby, I worked for a large Bank in the banking industry and Beleive me, there are several steps to aprove and clearance proceed with that kind of amounts. Compliance alerts, in adition of the confirmation call, the hold that many wire Transfers occurs, the texts mensajes, the email confirmations and foremost the Notification that received the manager account. Salute from Diminican Republic PS: I worked for international banking departament managing MT-103 , MT-199 and OFAC list

@bobbybrettel5422

Ай бұрын

Great info

@Pick6fun

Ай бұрын

@@richardmesson All of that would be useless since Ippei would translate for Shohei anyway so he can just lie.

@MarcRavingMad

Ай бұрын

​@@Pick6funBecause banks don't employ anyone capable of speaking Japanese.

@richardmesson

Ай бұрын

@@Pick6fun You have a great point. It looks that Ohtani's English is súper basic, so he has to depend for everything on Ippei

Ohtani only speaks for about five minutes. Ippei was the only one who spoks for 90 minutes.

@mirikaku5811

Ай бұрын

And you spell like %+@§

Pete Rose must be like WTF?

This reporter gave Mitzuhara the opportunity to weave his crazy story. Ohtani never said anything to the media before Ohtani spoke to the media at Dodgers stadium a few days ago.

Hackers call this a man-in-the-middle attack

Who by is the Ohtani’s spokesperson? I’ve never heard that guy before this happened.

She is choosing her words verrry carefully. That source is really close to the situation.

Eight or nine wire transfers of a half million dollars each. Your friend--your BEST friend--comes to you and says he has a problem. He makes $80,000 a year and he's racked up a million dollars in debt with a bookie. I'm making millions...doesn't matter how many. He's my best friend. I bail him out...the first time, maybe the second time. When we get to wire transfer number THREE, I'm looking at this fool crosseyed and telling him this is the last one. Depending on how tight we are, I may tell him it's the last one two more times...or I may not. Bottom line: We're not getting to eight, much less nine...

@jpm74

Ай бұрын

I didn’t think about the number of times. Good point.

@toddsalkowski448

Ай бұрын

@@jpm74 Someone pointed out earlier there may be a max wire transfer of $500k. Ohtani agreed to pay the entire $4.5 million, but it had to be broken down.

@NeilTruick

Ай бұрын

@@toddsalkowski448 That makes it even worse. Once again, we have a guy making $80,000 a year (even $300K) racking up a $4.5 million tab. He goes to Ohtani and asks for a bailout. Even if Ohtani says, "Sure, not a problem", this is a gambling debt. I don't care how much of a unicorn athlete and how big your contract is, it is not a good look for him to have _anything_ to do with this. Best case scenario, all Shohei has to do is answer questions, but before that time comes, he can't be feeling good about it. Ippei does the interview, and eight hours later, he's laughing it up with Ohtani like _neither_ of them have a care in the world. Tisha was right about one thing: We can't apply logic or try to identify with anyone involved in this situation. The financial disparity is bad enough. You're also dealing with a language barrier and an entirely different culture compared to America. In any case, I hope for Ohtani's sake all of these transfers occurred on the same day.

i dont think OHTANI is that dumb to be betting when even his closes interpreter knows the rules of gambling....and USING his name as a wire transfer .....he didnt have to do that ....OHTANI could have used others to do that for him...

The host should have known payout by Ohtani account is not the same as by Ohtani in this circumstance. Why the host keeps saying payout by Ohtani?

It's obvious the 1st story is the correct story.

Definitely someone from the Angels who was pissed Shoei left.

@toddsalkowski448

Ай бұрын

Rod Carew??

By law you could only wire transfer $500k max so for 3 weeks there was 9 wire transfers for $4.5m la & mlb will protect the golden boy

So overblown. I could understand if the bets were placed on baseball but they weren’t

She said TWO $500,000 transactions. So where is everyone getting $4.5 million???

@challenger516

Ай бұрын

Use your brain dude, he only showed them two wire transfer slips.

so is it a criminal investigation going on or a mlb investigation??

A rat ship, a vessel full of sea-going snitches (by AlPacino "I'll show you out of order")

Rich Eisen you ask question with presumption, and you don’t ask question that matters. She said Ippei said Ohtani logged on his computer to do the transfer. Who’s “his”?

This is a non issues for me. Shohei does not READ English for to send a wire payment. He barely speaks it. The payments were made from his expense account which Ippei uses to pay for Shohei’s daily expenses and monthly bills. It’s not his main Japanese bank account. They leave that crucial part out. NONE of these Japanese players use these accounts themselves. It’s always their Interpreter or PA. Ippei was both to Shohei.

@jpm74

Ай бұрын

Mmmyeah no… his account, he’s responsible for it. No excuse.

@toddsalkowski448

Ай бұрын

Why did Ippei tell reporter with Ohtani crisis management team present that the Dodger paid his debts?? Then 24 hours later same management team and Ohtani are telling the world Ippei stole from him?? Doesn't add up.

It's fine to be suspicious of ohtani, but those who blame him for accusing him as a victim will know how lonely he is when he is in that position.

Hopefully this is a distraction for the Dodgers being a Cardinals fan lol

The dude is gonna end up floating in a bay missing more than his pinky fingers.

@user-tt1hx2nm4p

Ай бұрын

Back when i was bangin that 304 wood be wearing cement shoes

Tuesday-ish?

Didn't bet on baseball? I call BS.

amazing! her first contact by Tiktok her story looks more confusing than Otani’s

I guess the "golden child" has rusted but can you say UNDER THE RUG

It is certainly a choice to cut the interview here when the timelime of events is not over. Easier to keep people speculating and making theories

According to Mizuhara ?

Bad journalism from lady

Ippei is guilty. End of story. Shohei Forever

Glad to see that we still have good investigative journalists working in the sports landscape. We need them to keep the sports clean in the era of online gambling.

@toddsalkowski448

Ай бұрын

They are probably going to stay pretty busy with all the legal sports betting now.

After everything is said and done, one thing remains clear: Ohtani is no Angel. Heckler: Boo, you suck!