Starz Nearing Deal for Scripted Series on Ohtani Scandal
Lionsgate Television is advancing a scripted television series focused on the massive gambling scandal involving Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. The project is reportedly nearing a series order from the network Starz. The series, which has no announced title yet, will detail the story of trust, theft, and the pressures of elite celebrity.
Story Focuses on Financial Betrayal and Star Power
The production team confirms the show is not just a police procedural about bank fraud. The central narrative is a deep dive into the “story of trust, betrayal and the trappings of wealth and fame.” Producers believe the scandal, which erupted immediately after Ohtani signed his record-breaking $700 million contract, is Major League Baseball’s biggest gambling controversy since the Pete Rose affair.
The series will trace Ohtani’s rise to global sports stardom, contrasting his immense fame with the over $16 million that Mizuhara stole from his bank account to pay off debts to an illegal bookmaker. Mizuhara has since pleaded guilty to fraud and tax charges and was sentenced to federal prison. The show will explore the timeline of how Mizuhara impersonated Ohtani on roughly 24 occasions in communications with the bank to arrange the wire transfers.
A Lionsgate executive noted that the show will dive into elements of the story that most people are still unaware of. They also suggested that the existence of different views on “the truth” is beneficial for a dramatic series.
Creative Team and Production Status
The script for the untitled series is being handled by Alex Convery, the writer of the hit film Air. This project marks Convery’s first writing role for television. He is joined by producers Scott Delman and Albert Chen. Chen is a veteran sports journalist and author, bringing a deep background in reporting on the sports betting landscape.
The Lionsgate series was initially announced in May 2024. While the project is close to a deal with Starz, which was spun off from Lionsgate in May 2025, it has reportedly faced challenges. Some acquisition executives for other major platforms like Netflix and Apple were hesitant to pick up the series, allegedly fearing it could jeopardize their current or future relationships with Major League Baseball.
The network is expected to follow expert advice on casting. Industry figures have suggested the show must use relatively unknown actors to play Ohtani and Mizuhara. This strategy aims to ensure that the global profiles of celebrity actors do not distract from the story’s complex and sensitive themes.
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