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Artwork for The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani

The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani

ESPN
Shohei Ohtani
Ippei Mizuhara
Gambling
Los Angeles Dodgers
Sports Betting
Matt Boyer
Illegal Gambling
Matt Bowyer
ESPN
30 For 30
Boyer's Sportsbook
Major League Baseball
Los Angeles Angels
Nippon Ham Fighters
Dodgers
U.S. Government / Federal Prosecutors

They were a team. Shohei and Ippei. They called themselves brothers. One was a young superstar destined for the Hall of Fame. The other was the hero’s valet – his translator, fixer, assistant, protector, and confidant. As Shohei Ohtani’s star rose to the heavens, Ippei Mizuhara kept him grounded. But in the spring of 2024, just weeks after celebrating Ohtani’s new 10-year, $700-million contract, t... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes7Foundeda month ago
Number of ListenersCategories
True CrimeBaseballSports

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Artwork for The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani

Latest Episodes

One man begins a prison sentence and the other goes on a World Series run, but putting to rest questions about what really happened between these two men isn’t so simple.

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Encrypted text messages, a trunk full of baseball cards, and a private bank account - federal law enforcement takes us inside their investigation of Shohei and Ippei.

Next episode coming Tuesday, August 11th.

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Matt Bowyer was running one of the largest illegal sports betting operations in the country when he thought he scored the client of a lifetime.

Next episode coming Thursday, August 6th.

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Shohei’s life has been well-documented since he was a young baseball phenom in Japan, but digging into Ippei’s past reveals a more complicated picture than anyone knew.

Next episode coming Tuesday, August 4th.

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A surprising interview takes a strange turn and deepens the mystery around Shohei Ohtani and his long-time interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.

Episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday. Thank you for listening.

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ESPN Investigative Reporter Tisha Thompson receives a tip that, if true, could damage Shohei Ohtani’s picture-perfect reputation.

Episodes drop every Tuesday and Thursday. Thank you for listening.

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On paper, Ippei Mizuhara was Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter. But he was so much more than that. They were a team, closer than brothers. Until it all went horribly wrong.

From 30 for 30 Podcasts, The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani tells the story of a relati... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Matt Bowyer
Bookie at the center of the gambling operation tied to Shohei Ohtani
Independent bookmaker; ran a large online betting operation
Episode: The Bookie
Ippei Mizuhara
Interpreter for Shohei Ohtani; former Nippon Ham Fighters interpreter
Nippon Ham Fighters
Episode: Baseball Boy
Mitch Lively
Former minor league pitcher who played with Nippon Ham Fighters; spoke about Ippei
Nippon Ham Fighters
Episode: Baseball Boy
Stephen Akamoto
Ippei's high school friend who discusses Ippei's background
Personal friend
Episode: Baseball Boy
Tim Keown
ESPN reporter known for profiles of famous and controversial athletes
ESPN
Episode: The Letter O
David Perdom
ESPN source with a vast network in sports betting
ESPN
Episode: The Letter O
Matt Hiltzik
Crisis communications publicist
Public relations
Episode: The Letter O
Tisha Thompson
ESPN investigative reporter
ESPN
Episode: Introducing: The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani

Host

Tisha Thompson
ESPN Investigative Reporter and host of the investigative narrative focused on high-profile sports figures and related scandals.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#54
United States/True Crime
Spotify
#177
Canada/Trending
Apple Podcasts
#101
Canada/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#31
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#131
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#145
Australia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#220
France/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#241
Germany/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#7
Japan/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#21
South Korea/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#24
Israel/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#36
Finland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#75
Singapore/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#76
South Africa/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#115
Indonesia/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#121
New Zealand/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#136
Spain/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#146
Netherlands/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#156
Taiwan/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#164
Norway/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#181
Ireland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#188
Mexico/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#189
Denmark/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#217
Poland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#218
Switzerland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#230
Hong Kong/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#231
Philippines/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#246
United Arab Emirates/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#246
Ukraine/True Crime

Top True Crime Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Interview
Q: Did Shohei know about the wire transfers and helping pay off the debts?
Ippei claims Shohei did not initially know and later helped pay the debt, while he says he asked for help; he maintains that Shohei did not approve or initiate illegal activity, but the line of questioning reveals controversy over whether Shohei was aware.
The Interview
Q: Did you intend to bet on baseball, or was it on other sports?
Ippei says he avoided baseball betting due to rules, and primarily wagered on football, basketball, and soccer, often with credit from the bookie, not realizing the illegality until later.
The Interview
Q: Can you tell me how you met Matt Boyer and what his role was?
Ippei explains meeting Boyer at a local poker game, describes Boyer as a bookmaker offering credit, and confirms the existence of a loan-like arrangement tied to a sports book that turned out to be illegal.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani

What is The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This investigative series centers on the inner circle around a superstar athlete, tracing how trust, access, and high-stakes gambling intersect with fame. Across episodes, listeners get a tightly reported narrative about a translator/ confidant and the dynamics of debt, coercion, and loyalty that can exist behind a public figure's image. Expect deep dives into court filings, federal investigations, and first-hand accounts from prosecutors, investigators, bookies, and those within the athlete's orbit. The show stands out for its disciplined storytelling, use of courtroom and investigative material, and a focus on the human costs of power and secrecy in elite sports. It's likely to appeal to listeners who enjoy true-crime-style investigations... more

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The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani launched a month ago and published 7 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani?

Recent guests on The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani include:

1. Matt Bowyer
2. Ippei Mizuhara
3. Mitch Lively
4. Stephen Akamoto
5. Tim Keown
6. David Perdom
7. Matt Hiltzik
8. Tisha Thompson

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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