The gambling scandal surrounding LA Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani‘s interpreter is already getting the TV series treatment.
Lionsgate Television is in early development on a series focused on the scandal. No writer or network is currently attached to the project, but Scott Delman and Albert Chen are both attached to produce. Executive Max Elins is overseeing the project for Lionsgate Television, while Bryan Weiser negotiated the deal.
Ohtani made headlines the world over when he signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The star pitcher and designated hitter had for years been working with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, but just one day into the 2024 MLB season, it was revealed that Mizuhara had stolen nearly $17 million from Ohtani to cover gambling debts. He was immediately fired and later turned himself in to federal authorities. It was just reported that he has plead guilty to bank and tax fraud charges.
“With a strong track record of creating daring, boundary-pushing series, Lionsgate Television is the perfect partner to bring this unbelievable story to the screen,” said Delman. “In addition, Albert’s extensive sports journalism background will enable us to connect the dots to make sense of the startling turn of events we’ve seen play out on the world stage.”
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Chen previously authored the sports gambling book “Billion Dollar Fantasy.” He is also the co-creator, co-host, and producer of the podcast “All American” from Stitcher and SiriusXM. He was a senior editor at Sports Illustrated, during which time he covered baseball extensively, and was also a contributor at MLB Network.
“This is major league baseball’s biggest sports gambling scandal since Pete Rose – and at its center is its biggest star, one that MLB has hitched its wagon on,” said Chen. “We’ll get to the heart of the story – a story of trust, betrayal and the trappings of wealth and fame.”
Delman has extensive accolades in theater, having produced hit shows like “The Book of Mormon,” “All the Way,” “Raisin in the Sun,” and “The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time.” He has won 13 Tony Awards and six Olivier Awards. In television, he most recently executive produced the Max series “Station Eleven.”
