In what could have easily been the next season of “American Crime Story,” Lionsgate Television is diving into the gambling scandal that’s rocked Major League Baseball since March.
Lionsgate is developing a scripted series about how Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese superstar of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels, became the subject of massive fraud and theft at the hands of his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Just days ago, Mizuhara agreed to plead guilty to accusations he stole almost $17 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts.
Scott Delman (“Station Eleven”) will produce along with Albert Chen, a former senior editor with Sports Illustrated, MLB Network contributor, and the writer of “Billion Dollar Fantasy” about the battle between gambling apps DraftKings and FanDuel. No platform or creative talent is being announced at this stage. Executive Max Elins is overseeing the project for Lionsgate Television.
“With a strong track record of creating daring,...
Lionsgate is developing a scripted series about how Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese superstar of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels, became the subject of massive fraud and theft at the hands of his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Just days ago, Mizuhara agreed to plead guilty to accusations he stole almost $17 million from Ohtani to pay off gambling debts.
Scott Delman (“Station Eleven”) will produce along with Albert Chen, a former senior editor with Sports Illustrated, MLB Network contributor, and the writer of “Billion Dollar Fantasy” about the battle between gambling apps DraftKings and FanDuel. No platform or creative talent is being announced at this stage. Executive Max Elins is overseeing the project for Lionsgate Television.
“With a strong track record of creating daring,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
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.
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.
- 5/9/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
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