Colin Cowherd Yawns at Shohei Ohtani Gambling Scandal: ‘People Are Gonna Bet on Sports’
Colin Cowherd on Thursday appeared relatively apathetic toward the revelation that Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani was connected to an illegal gambling scheme.
ESPN on Wednesday reported that Ippei Mizuhara – Ohtani’s longtime friend and interpreter – was fired by the Dodgers for allegedly stealing $4.5 million from Ohtani to pay his gambling debt. Mizuhara, however, told ESPN reporter Tisha Thompson that Ohtani knowingly wired the money to a Southern California bookmaker to cover the debt. Ohtani’s lawyers have denied that version of events and accused Mizuhara of “massive theft.”
The conflicting accounts have led to a great deal of speculation in the media, with some believing the story from Ohtani’s side is a cover-up for the star.
Mizuhara acknowledged his gambling problem but emphasized that he never bet on baseball. That has also been called into question.
Speaking on The Herd, Cowherd was somewhat dismissive of the early reports.
“I understand in America, this is what grey hair gives you,” Cowherd began. “This is what the grey hair has given me: People are gonna bet on sports, smoke pot, have sex, and drink. You’re completely naive if you think you can govern it. It’s the way it works in American. We like our liberties and our freedoms. Authoritarian politicians don’t work, and the election wasn’t rigged.
“It sounds a little shady and like a cover-up – probably is – but as long as he didn’t bet on Major League Baseball and simply bet on other things at an ‘illegal bookmaker in Southern California,’ why am I not outraged? Because I have grey hair and I’ve lived a life. There are thousands of illegal bookmakers in California. You can’t bet legally in most parts because of politicians and red tape. Shocker, politicians get in the way of fun again, be it sex, smoking a joint, drinking. There are dry counties in Kentucky. They make bourbon there. I always get a laugh out of that.”
Cowherd acknowledged that his opinion might change if it’s discovered Mizuhara or Ohtani bet on baseball. For now, however, he doesn’t see the point of being as upset as everyone else.
“But I’m tired of people trying to make me outraged,” he continued. “I’m sorry, I’m happy with my wife, my kids, my job. This is ugly. It’s PR messy. I get it completely. Crossing my fingers he didn’t bet baseball. I don’t think he did. I think it’s young guys with time and money and friends; and they got nothing but time on their hands and illegal bookies are on every corner of this town along with cannabis stores.
“I’ll wait for more information, and then maybe I’ll be as outraged as many of you are today.”
