On Sunday, Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers superstar, declared in the clubhouse that he will make himself available to reporters on Monday. In this case, “available” means that Ohtani will be reading a statement to the press, but he will not be answering any questions. The statement, likely prepared by lawyers and PR specialists, will be read at 5:45 p.m. ET.
This story is more than just a baseball story; it’s also a gambling story. While Ohtani’s case has a unique aspect as the gambling activities happened in a state where it is illegal, the broader issue extends to all sports. It is possible that players in various sports are already involved in gambling through legal apps, and this could potentially lead to scandals.
The way baseball handles its current situation may provide valuable insight on how to prevent such issues in the future for other sports. As the NFL may find itself in a similar situation at some point, it is important to address these gambling-related concerns proactively to avoid any potential scandals involving high-profile players.