Lionsgate Television has announced its plans to develop a scripted series revolving around the gambling scandal that rocked Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher and hitter Shohei Ohtani. The series will shed light on Ohtani's journey to becoming a baseball sensation, securing a groundbreaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers, and the subsequent controversy that unfolded after allegations against his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, emerged.

On Thursday, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California revealed that Mizuhara had pleaded guilty to embezzling a staggering $17 million from Ohtani. This development played out on the very first day of the 2024 MLB season, leaving fans and the baseball community stunned.

Scott Delman and Albert Chen have been enlisted as producers for the series. Lionsgate Television boasts a strong track record of delivering boundary-pushing and daring content, making it the ideal partner to bring this incredible story to the small screen. Delman expressed his excitement about the project, stating, "With Lionsgate's expertise in creating ambitious series, we are uniquely positioned to capture the essence of this unbelievable narrative." Chen, with his extensive background in sports journalism, aims to provide insightful analysis to make sense of the shocking turn of events.

Chen, the author of Billion Dollar Fantasy and known for his work as the co-creator, co-host, and producer of the podcast All American, has an impressive resumé. As a former senior editor at Sports Illustrated, he penned numerous cover stories on baseball and contributed to MLB Network. With his expertise, he aims to unravel the complexities of this scandal that marks major league baseball's largest sports gambling controversy since Pete Rose.

The upcoming Lionsgate series will explore themes of trust, betrayal, and the temptations that come with wealth and fame. It aims to delve into the heart of the story, where one of MLB's biggest stars finds himself embroiled in a stunning saga that has both captivated and shocked the world.

As details about the production of the series emerge, fans eagerly await the opportunity to witness the unraveling of this high-profile scandal that has shaken the foundation of America's favorite pastime.