Shohei Ohtani makes statement regarding gambling scandal | MLB on ESPN
TLDRThe speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to address recent allegations and the tough week faced by fans, team officials, and themselves. They clarify that they have never been involved in match-fixing or gambling, and were unaware of any such activities until a recent team meeting. It was then revealed that someone had been secretly using their account to send money to a bookmaker, an action they did not authorize. The speaker emphasizes their shock and the betrayal felt, and states that they have reported the matter to the police and are fully cooperating with the investigation. They conclude by looking forward to the new season and leaving the matter in the hands of their lawyers and the authorities.
Takeaways
- 🙏 The speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to address the audience and shares a difficult week for the team and fans.
- 🤝 The speaker acknowledges the patience and understanding of the media and fans during this challenging time.
- 🔍 There is an ongoing investigation, and the speaker requests understanding for the limited information they can currently share.
- 🚫 The speaker denies any involvement in illegal activities, specifically related to sports betting or sending money on behalf of others.
- 😮 The speaker was unaware of the individual's actions until recently and was shocked to learn about the deceit.
- 🗣️ Accusations were made against the speaker in the media regarding involvement in illegal activities, which were later revealed to be false.
- 🤦♂️ The speaker was misled by an individual who claimed to have settled their own debts, which was not the case.
- 💬 The speaker learned about the gambling issue and the individual's debts after a team meeting in Korea.
- 🤝 The speaker sought to communicate with their agent and team to address the situation upon learning the truth.
- 📝 The speaker consulted with lawyers and reported the case to the authorities, as it involved theft and fraud.
- 🏁 The speaker is looking forward to the start of the new season and intends to cooperate fully with the authorities and legal matters.
Q & A
What was the speaker's initial reaction to the situation involving the team and the media?
-The speaker expressed gratitude for the patience and understanding shown by the media and fans during a difficult week, acknowledging that it was a tough time for everyone involved.
What was the speaker accused of?
-The speaker was accused of being involved with illegal bookmakers and gambling related to sports betting, which he clarified he had no knowledge or involvement with.
How did the speaker find out about the accusations against him?
-The speaker became aware of the accusations after a team meeting in Korea where the issue was discussed in English, which he did not fully understand but sensed something was amiss.
What did the speaker do after learning about the gambling issue?
-After realizing the gravity of the situation, the speaker sought to discuss the matter in detail with the individual involved and later involved his agents and lawyers to address the situation.
What was revealed about the individual's actions during the meeting?
-It was revealed that the individual had been secretly accessing the speaker's account and sending money to a bookmaker without the speaker's knowledge or consent.
How did the speaker respond to the discovery of the individual's actions?
-The speaker was shocked and immediately reported the situation to his team and lawyers, emphasizing that he had no involvement in the gambling activities.
What is the speaker's stance on the gambling issue?
-The speaker has never been involved in or endorsed gambling and has never asked anyone to place bets on his behalf.
What is the speaker's current focus?
-The speaker is now focused on cooperating fully with the police and his lawyers, and he is looking forward to starting the new season.
How does the speaker feel about the upcoming season?
-Despite the challenges faced, the speaker is eager to start the new season and is looking to move past the current situation.
What was the speaker's relationship with the individual involved?
-The speaker had a close relationship with the individual, but the trust was broken due to the deceit and unauthorized actions taken by the individual.
What steps did the speaker take to resolve the situation?
-The speaker took immediate action by discussing the matter with his agents and lawyers, and reported the incident to the authorities, showing his commitment to transparency and resolving the issue.
Outlines
🙏 Expressions of Gratitude and Addressing a Tough Week
The speaker begins by expressing gratitude for the opportunity to speak and acknowledges that it has been a difficult week for the fans, team, and officials. They mention the media's patience and understanding during this challenging time. The speaker also addresses a sense of shock and sadness due to recent events, specifically referring to an ongoing investigation and the need for patience from the audience. They emphasize the importance of trust and the shock of discovering betrayal.
🤔 Unraveling Misunderstandings and Allegations
The speaker clarifies that they have never been involved in any form of match-fixing or sports gambling. They express their ignorance about the actions of a person who was allegedly involved in illegal activities. The speaker reveals that they were unaware of the person's actions until recently and were shocked to learn about the deceit. They also mention a conversation with a representative and the subsequent realization that they had been lied to, leading to a decision to report the matter to the authorities.
🚫 Denial of Involvement in Gambling and Future Plans
The speaker vehemently denies any involvement in sports gambling or bookmaking. They emphasize that they were not aware of the gambling addiction or debts of the person involved. The speaker shares their shock upon learning about the misuse of their account for sending money to a bookmaker. They call for a change in focus, expressing their intention to fully cooperate with the authorities and their lawyers in handling the matter. The speaker concludes by expressing a desire to move forward and start the season with a clear conscience.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡appreciation
💡shock
💡gambling
💡trust
💡investigation
💡communication
💡team
💡integrity
💡account
💡debt
💡meeting
Highlights
The speaker expresses gratitude for the opportunity to address the audience and shares his desire to communicate openly.
The speaker acknowledges the tough week for fans, team officials, and himself, showing empathy and understanding.
The speaker clarifies that he has never been involved in any form of betting or asked others to participate in sports events.
The speaker mentions an ongoing investigation and his willingness to cooperate fully with the authorities.
The speaker denies any knowledge of the alleged illegal activities and expresses shock at the revelations.
The speaker describes being contacted by the media about alleged illegal activities, which he was previously unaware of.
The speaker explains that he was not involved in any illegal bookmaking activities and had no knowledge of such actions.
The speaker shares that he was unaware of the individual's gambling addiction and debts until a team meeting after a match.
The speaker emphasizes that he did not authorize any transactions or requests for money transfers related to the alleged gambling activities.
The speaker discusses the shock and disbelief he felt upon learning about the deceit and the individual's actions.
The speaker indicates his intention to rely on his lawyers and cooperate fully with the police investigation.
The speaker reflects on the difficulty of shifting his focus back to the season and his desire to start anew.
The speaker concludes by reiterating his willingness to answer further questions and his commitment to transparency.