Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred hopes that the investigation into Shohei Ohtani’s connection to gambling will be brief, but he cannot be certain.
The investigation began after the Dodgers dismissed Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, following reports linking him to an illegal bookmaker with significant debts. Ohtani denies involvement in sports betting or any knowledge of Mizuhara’s debts.
Manfred emphasized the need to verify Ohtani’s statements for the sake of preserving the game’s integrity. He acknowledged the challenge of conducting the investigation independently due to ongoing federal inquiries.
Regarding the duration of the investigation, Manfred expressed hope for a swift resolution but admitted uncertainty.
Manfred defended MLB’s partnerships with legal gambling companies, emphasizing the responsibility of players to refrain from gambling activities that could influence game outcomes.
He also addressed revenue uncertainty from regional sports networks (RSNs), noting their significant contribution to MLB’s revenue. The bankruptcy of Diamond Sports’ Bally networks affected local broadcasts, impacting teams’ financial outlooks and potentially influencing player contract negotiations.
Manfred highlighted MLB’s plans to honor Willie Mays with a game at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, acknowledging Mays’ legendary career and contributions to baseball.
