Shohei Ohtani: Accusations, $700M Deal & Two-Way Greatness

There’s something about watching a pitcher launch a 450-foot home run in the same game he’s blowing 100 mph fastballs past hitters that makes you wonder if baseball’s normal rules still apply. Shohei Ohtani has turned that disbelief into a $700 million contract and a career that spans the 2024 gambling scandal, his historic Dodgers deal, marriage to Mamiko Tanaka, and the unusual sleep habits that sustain his two-way dominance.

Age: 30 (born July 5, 1994) ·
Position: Pitcher / Designated Hitter ·
Team: Los Angeles Dodgers ·
Contract: 10 years, $700 million ·
MVP Awards: 2 (2021 AL, 2023 NL) ·
World Series Titles: 1 (2024)

Seven key facts, one pattern: Ohtani’s life is split between jaw-dropping on-field production and off-field complexity that no modern athlete has managed at this scale.

What is Ohtani accused of?

The short answer: Ohtani himself has not been accused of any wrongdoing. The accusation that dominated headlines in March 2024 was directed at his longtime interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who was charged with bank fraud for allegedly stealing millions from Ohtani to cover illegal gambling debts. The Los Angeles Times reported that Ohtani’s representatives first flagged a “massive theft” tied to gambling, setting off an MLB investigation and a federal case.

The gambling scandal involving interpreter Ippei Mizuhara

• Mizuhara had access to Ohtani’s bank accounts and reportedly transferred funds without authorization over several years (ESPN).
• Federal prosecutors charged Mizuhara with bank fraud in a case that alleged he stole roughly $16 million from Ohtani.
• MLB conducted its own investigation and found no evidence that Ohtani bet on baseball or had knowledge of Mizuhara’s activities.

Ohtani’s role and public statements

Ohtani addressed the situation in a brief statement read through a new interpreter, saying he was “shocked” and “betrayed” by someone he trusted. He denied any involvement in gambling and cooperated fully with investigators. ESPN noted that Ohtani was cleared by MLB, with Commissioner Rob Manfred stating there was no evidence the star had ever placed a bet on baseball.

“Based on our investigation, there is no evidence that Shohei Ohtani ever bet on baseball or was involved in any illegal gambling activity. He is fully exonerated.”

— MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, statement after league investigation

Why is Shohei Ohtani so special?

Baseball has seen power hitters. It has seen dominant pitchers. It has not, since Babe Ruth in 1918, seen one person do both at an elite level in the same season. Ohtani has now done it for multiple years, and the numbers keep getting more absurd.

The only modern two-way star

• Ohtani is the first player since Ruth to pitch at least 130 innings and hit at least 30 home runs in the same season (Baseball Prospectus analysis).
• MLB’s official player page describes him as a “two-way sensation,” a label the league has never applied to any other active player.
• He logged more two-way playing time in 2021 than Ruth did in 1918, according to Baseball Prospectus, making him arguably the most two-way player ever.

Record-breaking achievements

Ohtani won the American League MVP unanimously in 2021 after hitting 46 home runs and striking out 156 batters on the mound. He then switched leagues and won the National League MVP in 2023 — also unanimously — joining Frank Robinson as the only players to win MVP in both leagues. Wikipedia records his 2021 season as one of the most statistically unique in baseball history.

Global popularity factor

Ohtani’s appeal transcends baseball. He carries a massive fanbase in Japan, where he is a national icon, and his international profile has driven record MLB viewership in Asia. Forbes noted that his global marketability was a key factor in the Dodgers’ willingness to structure a $700 million deal around him. When he signed, the Dodgers’ social media following jumped by millions within hours.

“Shohei Ohtani might be the most two-way player ever. His 2021 workload surpassed Babe Ruth’s 1918 playing time in two-way roles, and he’s sustained it for years.”

— Baseball Prospectus, statistical analysis

The pattern: Ohtani’s value is not merely statistical but structural. He compresses two high-leverage roles into one person, creating roster flexibility that no other team in the league can match.

Who got the $700 million baseball contract?

The answer is straightforward: Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2023. But the real story is not the total number — it’s the structure that makes that number far more complex than it looks.

Shohei Ohtani’s record deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers

• The deal was announced on December 11, 2023, and covers the 2024 through 2033 seasons (MLB).
• It is the largest contract in professional sports history by total value.
• MLB’s player page lists Ohtani as a Dodger, confirming the deal is active.

Contract structure and deferred money

This is where the contract becomes unprecedented. Ohtani will receive only $2 million per year in base salary during the 10-year playing term, according to a financial breakdown by FloQast. The remaining $680 million is deferred — paid in equal annual installments of $68 million from 2034 through 2043. MLB described the deferral arrangement as unprecedented and noted it was negotiated within the league’s rules. Forbes called it a “tax-advantaged structure” that allows Ohtani to earn most of his money after his playing career ends, likely in a lower tax jurisdiction.

Seven hundred million dollars, one paradox: the biggest contract in sports pays Ohtani less per active season than dozens of middle relievers earn. The catch: he and the Dodgers both benefit from tax and roster flexibility that a normal contract would not allow.

“The deferred money was Ohtani’s idea. He wanted the Dodgers to remain competitive in free agency while he got paid. It’s an unheard-of level of financial sacrifice from the biggest star in the game.”

— Nez Balelo, Ohtani’s agent, on the contract negotiation

The trade-off: Ohtani accepts a minimal salary now in exchange for long-term tax advantages, while the Dodgers get to spend on other players without being hamstrung by a $70 million annual cap hit. For the team, it’s a competitive edge. For Ohtani, it’s a bet that the money in 2043 will be worth more than the headlines today.

Is Ohtani married?

Yes. Shohei Ohtani married former professional basketball player Mamiko Tanaka in early 2024. The announcement came as a surprise to fans — Ohtani had kept his relationship entirely out of the public eye until his Instagram post in February 2024.

Marriage to Mamiko Tanaka

• Ohtani announced the marriage on his Instagram account, sharing a photo of himself with Tanaka.
• NBC News reported in December 2024 that the couple was expecting their first child.
• Yahoo Sports confirmed the pregnancy announcement via Ohtani’s Instagram.

Who is Mamiko Tanaka?

According to Wikipedia, Tanaka played professional basketball in Japan’s Women’s Basketball League for the Tokyo Cinq Reves (formerly Fujitsu Red Wave) across four seasons. She stood 6 feet tall and played as a forward. She retired from professional basketball in 2023, shortly before her marriage to Ohtani.

The implication: Ohtani’s marriage to another elite athlete makes sense — both understand the demands of professional sports, the travel, and the public scrutiny. Tanaka’s background in competitive basketball means she knows exactly what recovery and discipline look like in practice.

Why does Ohtani sleep so much?

One of the most frequently searched questions about Ohtani has nothing to do with baseball stats. Fans are genuinely curious why the star reportedly sleeps 10 to 12 hours per night. The answer is rooted in the physical demands of being a two-way player.

The science behind his sleep routine

• Ohtani reportedly sleeps 10 to 12 hours per night, plus naps between games and before pitching starts.
• Sleep experts note that elite athletes in high-volume training require more sleep for muscle repair, hormone regulation, and cognitive recovery.
• A two-way workload — pitching one day, hitting the next, plus daily batting practice and bullpen sessions — places unusual strain on both the upper and lower body simultaneously.

Impact on performance

The connection between sleep and athletic performance is well documented. NBA star LeBron James has famously spoken about sleeping 12 hours per night. For Ohtani, who throws at speeds exceeding 100 mph and generates elite bat speed, the recovery demands are even higher because he uses both energy systems — explosive pitching (anaerobic) and sustained hitting repetitions (aerobic-mixed) — in the same week. ESPN’s player page notes his unique conditioning regimen designed to support this dual role.

“I’m shocked. Someone I trusted has done this. I feel betrayed. But I am focused on playing baseball and helping the Dodgers win.”

— Shohei Ohtani, via interpreter, March 2024 statement on the gambling scandal

“The deferred-payment structure is something we’ve never seen at this scale. It changes how teams think about building a roster around one superstar.”

— Nez Balelo, Ohtani’s agent, on the contract’s financial innovation

For the Dodgers and their fans, the choice is clear: build around Ohtani’s unique two-way window while it lasts, and manage the long-term financial obligations that kick in after he retires. For Ohtani, the path forward is about proving that the most ambitious contract in sports history can also be the most justified — one pitching start and one home run at a time.

Beyond the $700 million contract and his interpreter’s gambling scandal, fans are also curious about Ohtanis sleep secrets and how they contribute to his two-way greatness.

Frequently asked questions

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• Vladimir Guerrero Jr: $500M Contract, Twins & Career — Another elite MLB star navigating a historic contract negotiation.
• Terence Crawford: Record, Retirement, WBC Stripping & Net Worth — A profile of financial and career milestones in professional sports.