Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese baseball star who made headlines with his record-breaking contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, is at the center of a potential new series heading to Starz. The series revolves around a gambling scandal involving Ohtani’s interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who was revealed to have stolen millions from the athlete to cover his own gambling debts. Mizuhara was subsequently fired and sentenced to nearly five years in prison for bank and tax fraud.
According to sources, Starz is in the final stages of securing a deal for the series, which was first reported to be in development at Lionsgate Television in May 2024. The project will be helmed by writer Alex Convery, known for his work on the Amazon MGM Studios film “Air.” Convery is represented by UTA, Untitled Entertainment, and Yorn Levine Barnes.
Albert Chen, the author of the sports gambling book “Billion Dollar Fantasy,” is attached to produce the series alongside Scott Delman. Chen is also the co-creator, co-host, and producer of the popular podcast “All American.” Lionsgate TV executive Max Elins is overseeing the project for the studio.
Starz, known for its hit original series like “Outlander” and the “Power” franchise, declined to comment on the potential series. The network recently split from Lionsgate to become a separate entity, with a lineup of original programming that includes the crime drama “BMF” and the upcoming prequel “Blood of My Blood.”
The series about Ohtani and the gambling scandal promises to be a gripping exploration of betrayal, greed, and the high stakes world of professional sports. Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project coming to Starz.
