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Prosecutors seeking 2.5-year prison sentence for former Spain soccer chief over World Cup kiss

Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

(LONDON) -- Prosecutors are seeking a two-and-a-half-year prison sentence for Spain's former soccer chief, Luis Rubiales, who may stand trial over a nonconsensual kiss at the Women's World Cup last year, the Madrid prosecutor's office confirmed to ABC News.

Rubiales kissed Spanish soccer player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips without her consent during the team's trophy ceremony following Spain's 1-0 win against England on Aug. 20, 2023. The incident was captured on video and in photos.

The former Spanish soccer federation president was banned in October 2023 from national and international soccer activities for three years after the organization found he violated an article of FIFA's disciplinary code with the kiss incident.

Earlier this year, a judge said enough evidence existed to propose a trial for Rubiales and three other former executives with the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

Prosecutors confirmed to ABC News on Wednesday that they have asked for a two-and-a-half-year sentence for Rubiales, arguing he was holding the head of Hermoso without her consent and that the nonconsensual kiss had personal and professional consequences for the soccer player. He could also face a fine of at least 50,000 euros ($54,000), they said.

Prosecutors said they are also requesting that Rubiales be prohibited from getting within a 200-meter radius of Hermoso and be barred from communicating with her.

Rubiales, who was charged with sexual assault and coercion, has claimed the kiss was consensual and denied any wrongdoing.

The prosecutor's office said it also requested one-and-a-half years in prison for the three former executives. The judge said they may have put pressure on Hermoso to say it was a consensual kiss.

A trial has not yet started in the case.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Debate about safety of synthetic turf and 'forever chemicals' raises concerns for some

Jeffrey Grigsby / EyeEm / Getty Images

(NEW YORK) - The grass may be greener if it's made of synthetic turf, but some communities are raising concerns about "forever chemicals" that may be found in many of the faux fields.

"Think about the wisdom of putting down acres of plastic in the year 2024... and then allowing athletes to go play on that for hours a week," Dr. Kyla Bennett, director of science policy for advocacy group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), told ABC News.

"To me, it doesn't pass the straight-face test," she said.

A number of synthetic turf fields in use today are believed to be made with plastic that may contain chemical substances perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl, known as PFAS, according to advocates and industry specialists. However, the percentage of synthetic turf fields made with these chemicals already installed or being manufactured for the future is unknown.

PFAS are a class of over 12,000 manufactured chemicals that have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. They are known as "forever chemicals," because they break down very slowly.

In a June 2023 letter, Synthetic Turf Council president and CEO Melanie Taylor said the industry needed until 2026 – "in line with other PFAS legislation currently pending" to "develop viable alternatives for the marketplace" without PFAS chemicals.

"We are concerned that trace quantities of a chemical may be present in natural or synthetic ingredients, recycled content, manufacturing processes or equipment," Taylor said.

In addition to synthetic turf, PFAS can be found in drinking water, food, cleaners, textiles, paper, paints, fire-fighting foams, wire insulation and more, according to the EPA, which notes some of these chemical compounds can accumulate and stay in the human body for long periods of time.

Many industries are attempting to remove PFAS from their products. In February, the FDA announced that after a four-year commitment, food packaging in the U.S. no longer includes PFAS for grease proofing, "This means the major source of dietary exposure to PFAS from food packaging like fast-food wrappers, microwave popcorn bags, take-out paperboard containers and pet food bags is being eliminated."

The health risks of forever chemical accumulation in the body are still uncertain and could include a higher risk of cancer, liver damage, fertility issues or asthma, according to the EPA.

However, there are known risks associated with ingestion or inhalation — It's not clear if there are significant health risks from touching them.

Some communities are concerned amid the uncertainty.

"Parents should not have to have a Ph.D. in analytical chemistry, to send their kids out to play on what they presumed to be a safe field," Dianne Woelke, a board member for Safe Healthy Playing Fields, Inc., an all-volunteer advocacy group, told ABC News.

"They assume that these chemicals have been proven to be safe, and they absolutely have not," she claimed.

In 2016, the EPA launched an investigation into the chemicals found in recycled tire crumb, a component of some synthetic turf and what, if any, human exposure might occur during contact with turf fields. The results of this investigation are still pending, but regardless of their findings, the agency states that its report should not be interpreted as a risk assessment and cannot determine levels above which health effects could occur.

PFAS chemicals are widely used to help with the molding and extrusions of plastic, which is often seen in synthetic turf, according to the Journal of Vinyl and Additive Technology.

Hailed by some proponents as the antidote to the effects of climate change, synthetic turf offers what is believed to be a no-water-necessary, durable and fertilizer-free option for athletic fields at every level.

Synthetic turf was first installed in a major sporting venue at Houston's Astrodome in 1966. More than 50 years and several variations of synthetic turf later, thousands of recreational and professional-level fields across the country removed natural grass in favor of synthetic turf.

"Communities, schools, businesses and families across the country are choosing synthetic turf because of the significant benefits it offers, being accessible year-round, being more affordable to maintain, and protecting the environment through reduced water and chemical use," Synthetic Turf Council president Melanie Taylor told ABC News in a statement. "The synthetic turf industry is proud to deliver quality products that make a positive difference and are used by thousands of communities nationwide."

According to the Synthetic Turf Council, there are between 12,000 and 13,000 synthetic turf sports fields in the United States, with approximately 1,200 to 1,500 new installations each year.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


'Racism is real ... and it's awful,' Utah women's basketball coach says after team says they faced harassment on night out

PhotoAlto/Sandro Di Carlo Darsa/Getty Images

(NEW YORK) -- Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, city leaders have launched an investigation after members of the Utah women's basketball team say they were subjected to racial slurs from two men who also taunted them using their trucks as players were stepping out for a meal.

According to a police report obtained by ABC News, on Thursday, March 21, team members were headed to dinner when "two pickup trucks were revving their engines and speeding by the team as they walked down the street. The trucks then turned around and came back towards the team and yelled the N-word at them as many of the Utah players are African American," the report stated.

"The incident caused a well-founded fear among the players," the report said.

Utah's women's basketball head coach Lynne Roberts addressed the incident involving her players in a post-game press conference Monday night, saying it was "upsetting" for the team.

"We had several instances of some kind of racial hate crimes towards our program and [it was] incredibly upsetting for all of us," Coach Roberts said. "Racism is real, and it happens, and it's awful."

"For our players and staff to not feel safe in a NCAA tournament, it's messed up," she added.

While the Coeur d'Alene Resort was not involved in the incident, the resort's manager, Bill Reagan, offered his apologies and said the men in the trucks did not represent the town.

"On behalf of the downtown business community, let me apologize for this terrible situation and incident. I want to apologize to the student athletes, their staff, and the host university, Gonzaga," Reagan said at a press conference Tuesday. "These students had a right to walk downtown, free of harassment. Don't let the actions of a few indict all of Coeur d'Alene. We stand united in not tolerating this type of behavior."

Coeur d'Alene Mayor Jim Hammond also extended his apologies to the team, denouncing the incident.

"To the young women who endured racial slurs while visiting, I offer my most sincere apology. We, all of us, stand with you. We embrace you. We celebrate your accomplishments and strongly denounce any malicious treatment towards you," he said during the Tuesday afternoon press conference where officials addressed the incident.

The Utah team transferred to a hotel in Spokane, Washington, on Friday and Saturday as rooms became available, a spokesperson from the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations said during Tuesday's press conference.

City of Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Lee White says there are a number of potential crimes the department is investigating related to the incident, including malicious harassment and the disorderly conduct statute. Chief White said the police department is working with the FBI as the case is open and ongoing.

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is just 35 miles outside of Spokane, Washington, where Gonzaga's men's and women's basketball teams were the hosts for the NCAA tournament last weekend.

Addressing the incident on X early Tuesday morning, Gonzaga released a statement saying the incident did not reflect the school's values.

"We are frustrated and deeply saddened to know that what should always be an amazing visitor and championship experience was in any way compromised by this situation, for it in no way reflects the values, standards, and beliefs to which we at Gonzaga University hold ourselves accountable," the statement read.

The Utah team transferred to a hotel in Spokane, Washington, on Friday and Saturday as rooms became available, a spokesperson from the Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations said during Tuesday's press conference.

City of Coeur d'Alene Police Chief Lee White says there are a number of potential crimes the department is investigating related to the incident, including malicious harassment and the disorderly conduct statute. Chief White said the police department is working with the FBI as the case is open and ongoing.

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, is just 35 miles outside of Spokane, Washington, where Gonzaga's men's and women's basketball teams were the hosts for the NCAA tournament last weekend.

Addressing the incident on X early Tuesday morning, Gonzaga released a statement saying the incident did not reflect the school's values.

"We are frustrated and deeply saddened to know that what should always be an amazing visitor and championship experience was in any way compromised by this situation, for it in no way reflects the values, standards, and beliefs to which we at Gonzaga University hold ourselves accountable," the statement read.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Crab pizza, Cracker Jack sundaes and more new foods hitting MLB stadiums on opening day

Courtesy of Levy

(NEW YORK) -- As baseball fans get ready to return to their favorite ballparks on opening day, culinary teams have been cooking up delicious new recipes during the offseason to bring to the plate for the 2024 MLB season.

Sure, fans will always sing about peanuts and Cracker Jacks during the seventh inning stretch, but the culinary heavy hitters behind stadium foods have elevated the food and drink options to further entice food-motivated fans.

"Good Morning America" spoke to food experts from around the league who have developed new, regional-inspired dishes as well as riffs on beloved classics, sharing highlights from the new ballpark bites and giving fans an early taste of what's available to order on opening day this Thursday.

New stadium foods around the American League

T-Mobile Park

The Seattle Mariners' longtime hospitality partner Sodexo Live! has developed new offerings throughout the ballpark with local partners and in-house executive chef Javier Rosa, who together created a true taste of the Pacific Northwest.

Here are a few of the standout new items: katsu curry rice that can be washed down with yuzu ginger ale from Tamari Bar; fresh Dungeness crab pizza topped with warm butter, dill, thyme, parmesan and lemon from the popular MOTO Pizza, in its second season at T-Mobile Park; a birria torta at Edgar's Cantina packed with flavors of Puerto Rico; and two stadium-exclusive ice cream flavors from Salt & Straw, Wild-forged Berry Slab Pie ice cream and Vegan Strawberry Coconut Water sherbet.

"Whether you're a season ticket holder or an out-of-town fan, we have something for everyone with a big focus on local flavors," Rosa told "GMA."

Rosa developed "The Double MitchWich" with Mariners outfielder Mitch Haniger and catcher Mitch Garver, which he said is "one sandwich made up of two unique halves" using "flavors inspired by their hometowns."

The Mitch Garver side has marinated pulled pork, sliced Black Forest ham, Swiss cheese, Dijonnaise and sliced pickles on Cuban bread, while the Mitch Haniger side includes grilled chicken breast, marinated tomatoes, crispy bacon, a fried avocado wedge, and Havarti cheese served on a flatbread. Plus, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Seattle Children's Hospital.

Guaranteed Rate Field

Levy Restaurants oversees the food and beverage experience at eight MLB ballparks, including the home of the Chicago White Sox. The company's senior executive chef and head of culinary, Ron Krivosik, told "GMA" that "concessions are meant to be handheld -- that's why you see so many sandwiches."

And there's plenty of new sandwiches to choose from: the Southside smashed steakburger; the Fowl Ball, a take on a turkey bacon club; the "Settling a Beef," their play on a Reuben; the Homerun, which adds roast beef to the equation; and the Michigan Avenue, which has roast beef, turkey, Muenster cheese, Vidalia onions and house dressing sandwiched between two slices of rye.

A new sweet treat comes in the form of the Campfire Chocolate Milkshake, which is topped with graham crackers and toasted marshmallow and served in a souvenir sundae cup.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Baltimore Orioles fans can try the new spin on a baseball classic with the Warehouse Dog, a footlong all-beef hot dog topped with horseradish-infused brick sauce, crispy onions, and pit beef queso fundido, served on a footlong pretzel bun.

Tropicana Field

Tampa Bay Rays fans will see new options this season like Braised Short Rib Nachos and the Pretzel Slugger Dog -- a footlong hot dog wrapped in a soft pretzel and topped with sea salt.

Wrigley Field

Levy, which has served fans at Wrigley Field since 1985, is teleporting Chicago Cubs fans' tastebuds south of the border with Citrus-Ancho Chicken Quesadillas and Argentinian-inspired Ancho Marinated Tri-tip Sandwiches with Chimichurri.

"Chimichurri is a very popular ingredient. The data tells us a dish like our Chimichurri Tri-tip Sandwich will work, and then as chefs, we test as many recipes as possible to create the one that can be reproduced at an excellent quality," Krivosik said.

Minute Maid Park

Houston Astros fans have a bevy of new items, of which the team's on-field reporter Julia Morales recently shared four snaps, including the highly buzzed-about Pennant Pickle Dog.

New Foods at National League MLB ballparks

Dodger Stadium

Although the home of the Los Angeles Dodgers retired its iconic, namesake hotdog from the menu, the stadium is bringing in a pinch hitter this season with a new Carne Asada Torta. The Mexican-style sandwich is full of seasoned carne asada on fluffy bread, topped with pinto beans, grilled onions, grilled jalapeños, tomatoes, shredded lettuce and avocado puree.

Chase Field

When baseball fans filter into the stadium under the retractable roof to cheer on the Arizona Diamondbacks this season, they can also expect new items like the Millionaire Steak Sandwich, a brioche hoagie filled with beef tenderloin medallions, black truffle cheese sauce, cremini mushrooms and garlic aioli, and later opt for something sweet with the Apple Pie Chimichanga topped with vanilla frozen yogurt, caramel sauce, whipped cream, Cracker Jacks and strawberries.

Nationals Park

In addition to a brand new centerpiece scoreboard, the 16-year-old ballpark, home of the Washington Nationals, underwent significant structural upgrades recently from seating to several new food items, which the team shared on X. Among the items are Screech Burger Sliders -- named after the team's beloved eagle mascot -- and a number of new tacos, helmet nachos and more.

The park has also welcomed several new vendors this season, including Ssongs Korean Hot Dogs, Los Cinco Tacos and Eli’s Crepes.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Shohei Ohtani, MLB's highest-paid player, addresses gambling scandal: 'Saddened and shocked'

Harry How/Getty Images

(LOS ANGELES) -- Shohei Ohtani, Major League Baseball's highest-paid player, broke his silence Monday afternoon about a gambling scandal that prompted his team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, to fire his interpreter last week.

In a prepared statement, through an interpreter, Ohtani said, "I am very saddened and shocked that someone who I trusted has done this."

The 29-year-old pitching and home-run-hitting star, who signed a $700 million deal in the offseason to join the Dodgers, addressed the media before Monday night's spring training game against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels, at Dodger Stadium.

This press conference was the first time Ohtani has faced the media in person since the gambling controversy surfaced involving his friend and Japanese interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, prompting investigations by Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Internal Revenue Service.

"Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara from the news media," MLB said in a statement Friday. "Earlier today, our Department of Investigations (DOI) began their formal process investigating the matter."

Mizuhara was fired Wednesday by the Dodgers, according to a brief statement from the team. He had worked with the Dodgers as Ohtani's interpreter after serving in the same capacity with the Angels. Ohtani and Mizuhara's relationship dates back to 2013, when Ohtani played for the Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball League and Mizuhara was an interpreter for the team.

Mizuhara's termination came after allegations of a "massive theft" tied to gambling debts to a Southern California bookmaking operation that is under federal investigation, multiple sources told ESPN.

"The Dodgers are aware of media reports and are gathering information," the Dodgers said in Wednesday's statement. "The team can confirm that interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has been terminated. The team has no further comment at this time."

The statement did not provide a specific reason for Mizuhara's termination.

Berk Brettler LLP, a law firm that represents Ohtani, said in a statement Wednesday, "In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft and we are turning the matter over to the authorities."

The statement did not specify who allegedly stole the funds from Ohtani. However, according to ESPN, Mizuhara lost his job when reporters began asking questions surrounding at least $4.5 million in wire transfers from Ohtani's bank account to an illegal bookmaking operation.

In an ESPN interview scheduled through Ohtani's spokesperson last week, Mizuhara initially said Ohtani had agreed to pay off his gambling debts. But a day later, the spokesperson disavowed Mizuhara's claim and issued the statement claiming Ohtani had been the victim of "massive theft."

Mizuhara said Ohtani was never aware of his gambling and was not involved.

"I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting," Mizuhara told ESPN. "I want people to know I did not know this was illegal. I learned my lesson the hard way. I will never do sports betting ever again."

ABC News' Meredith Deliso and Mark Osborne contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


MLB opens investigation into Shohei Ohtani interpreter allegations

Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images

(LOS ANGELES) -- Major League Baseball said Friday it has begun formally investigating the scandal involving Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.

"Major League Baseball has been gathering information since we learned about the allegations involving Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhari from the news media," MLB said in a statement Friday. "Earlier today, our Department of Investigations (DOI) began their formal process investigating the matter."

Mizuhara was fired Wednesday by the Los Angeles Dodgers -- the team with which Japanese pitcher Ohtani signed a record $700 million contract this offseason -- according to a brief statement from the team. He had worked with the Dodgers as Ohtani's interpreter after serving in the same capacity with the Los Angeles Angels.

The termination came after allegations of a "massive theft" tied to gambling debts to a Southern California bookmaking operation that is under federal investigation, multiple sources told ESPN.

"The Dodgers are aware of media reports and are gathering information," the Dodgers said in a statement. "The team can confirm that interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has been terminated. The team has no further comment at this time."

Berk Brettler LLP, a law firm that represents Ohtani, said in a statement Wednesday, "In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft and we are turning the matter over to the authorities."

The statement did not specify who stole the funds from Ohtani and the Dodgers did not give an official reason for the firing.

However, according to ESPN, Mizuhara lost his job when reporters began asking questions surrounding at least $4.5 million in wire transfers from Ohtani's bank account to an illegal bookmaking operation.

In an ESPN interview scheduled through Ohtani's spokesperson Tuesday night, Mizuhara initially said Ohtani had agreed to pay off his interpreter and friend's gambling debts. But a day later, the spokesperson disavowed Mizuhara's claim and issued the statement claiming Ohtani had been the victim of "massive theft."

Mizuhara said Ohtani was never aware of his gambling and was not involved.

"I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting," he told ESPN. "I want people to know I did not know this was illegal. I learned my lesson the hard way. I will never do sports betting ever again."

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Scoreboard roundup -- 3/21/24

iStock

(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Thursday's sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

INTERLEAGUE
Atlanta 5, NY Yankees 2
Tampa Bay 6, Philadelphia 5
Houston 9, St. Louis 1
Washington 9, Minnesota 8
NY Mets 10, Detroit 5
Toronto 3, Pittsburgh 2
Seattle 7, Cincinnati 6

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Cleveland 8, Kansas City 5
Chi White Sox 3, Kansas City 3
Boston 3, Baltimore 2

NATIONAL LEAGUE
San Diego 15, LA Dodgers 11
Chi Cubs 5, Colorado 2
San Francisco 7, Milwaukee 6

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Phoenix 128, Atlanta 115
Orlando 121, New Orleans 106
Washington 109, Sacramento 102
Milwaukee 115, Brooklyn 108
Houston 127, Chicago 117
Dallas 113, Utah 97
Denver 113, New York 100

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Vegas 3 Seattle 1
Tampa Bay 4 San Jose 1
St. Louis 5, Ottawa 2
NY Rangers 5, Boston 2
New Jersey 4, Winnipeg 1
Detroit 6, NY Islanders 3
Carolina 3, Philadelphia 2 (OT)
Nashville 3, Florida 0
Edmonton 8, Buffalo 3
Vancouver 4, Montreal 1
Anaheim 4, Chicago 0

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Kansas 93, Samford 89
Iowa St. 82, S. Dakota St. 65
North Carolina 90, Wagner 62
Tennessee 83, St. Peter's 49
Arizona 85, Long Beach St. 65
Illinois 85, Morehead St. 69
Creighton 77, Akron 60
Oakland 80, Kentucky 76
Oregon 87, South Carolina 73
Gonzaga 86, McNeese St. 65
Duquesne 71, BYU 67
NC State 80, Texas Tech 67
Washington St. 66, Drake 61

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Shohei Ohtani's interpreter fired following 'massive theft' allegations tied to gambling: What we know

Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images

(LOS ANGELES) -- Shohei Ohtani is used to being under the microscope due to his unparalleled success on the baseball field, but the slugger is now embroiled in a scandal involving his interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara.

It was revealed on Wednesday that Mizuhara had been fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers -- the team with which Ohtani signed a record $700 million contract this offseason -- after allegations of a "massive theft" tied to gambling debts to a Southern California bookmaking operation that is under federal investigation, multiple sources told ESPN.

In an ESPN interview scheduled through Ohtani's spokesperson Tuesday night, Mizuhara initially said Ohtani had agreed to pay off his interpreter and friend's gambling debts. But a day later, the spokesperson disavowed Mizuhara's claim and would issue a statement claiming Ohtani had been the victim of "massive theft."

Mizuhara said Ohtani was never aware of his gambling and was not involved.

"I want everyone to know Shohei had zero involvement in betting," he told ESPN. "I want people to know I did not know this was illegal. I learned my lesson the hard way. I will never do sports betting ever again."

Here's what we know about the situation:

Why was Ippei Mizuhara fired by the Dodgers?

Mizuhara, who came over to work with the Dodgers as Ohtani's interpreter after serving in the same capacity with the Los Angeles Angels, was fired on Wednesday, according to a brief statement from the team.

"The Dodgers are aware of media reports and are gathering information," the team said in a statement. "The team can confirm that interpreter Ippei Mizuhara has been terminated. The team has no further comment at this time."

Berk Brettler LLP, a law firm that represents Ohtani, said in a statement Wednesday afternoon, "In the course of responding to recent media inquiries, we discovered that Shohei has been the victim of a massive theft and we are turning the matter over to the authorities."

The statement did not specify who stole the funds from Ohtani and the Dodgers did not give an official reason for the firing.

However, according to ESPN, Mizuhara lost his job when reporters began asking questions surrounding at least $4.5 million in wire transfers from Ohtani's bank account to an illegal bookmaking operation allegedly run by Matthew Bowyer.

Ohtani's name appeared on two $500,000 payments sent in September and October, according to bank information reviewed by ESPN.

Who is Matthew Bowyer and how does he play a role?

Bowyer allegedly ran an illegal bookmaking operation in Southern California with which Mizuhara placed bets starting in 2021, the interpreter told ESPN. Bowyer, however, has not been charged with any crimes.

"I'm terrible [at gambling]. Never going to do it again. Never won any money," Mizuhara told ESPN. "I mean, I dug myself a hole and it kept on getting bigger, and it meant I had to bet bigger to get out of it and just kept on losing. It's like a snowball effect."

Bowyer's home was raided last October in connection with a federal investigation into the gambling operation, according to multiple sources and documents reviewed by ESPN.

Bowyer's attorney told ESPN that Bowyer never "met or spoke" to Ohtani and only had a relationship with Mizuhara. She told ESPN she would not answer any other questions.

ABC News has reached out to Bowyer's lawyer about the accusation made by Mizuhara that he placed illegal bets with him.

Mizuhara also told ESPN that he never gambled on baseball. He said he mainly gambled on international soccer games, the NFL, NBA and college football.

Is gambling illegal in California and can MLB employees gamble?

Sports gambling is legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C., but it is not legal in California, according to the National Gaming Association.

However, in other states where it is legal, it is only allowed through approved retail or online sportsbooks -- none of which accept gambling on credit as Mizuhara is alleged to have done. Mizuhara told ESPN that he did not realize gambling through Bowyer was considered illegal, and he had previously gambled on legal betting apps in other states.

MLB does allow employees to bet legally on sports other than baseball.

If a player, umpire or club or league employee bets on a baseball game other than one they are involved in, they would be subject to a one-year suspension, according to MLB's Rule 21(d) on misconduct. If they were to bet on a game in which they were involved, they would be declared permanently ineligible.

Cincinnati legend Pete Rose was infamously banned permanently for his betting on baseball, including games in which he was manager.

The rules are a little less specific on illegal gambling and don't specify whether baseball gambling has to be involved.

According to Rule 21, "Any player, umpire, or Club or League official or employee who places bets with illegal book makers, or agents for illegal book makers, shall be subject to such penalty as the Commissioner deems appropriate in light of the facts and circumstances of the conduct."

Will Shohei Ohtani receive any punishment?

There are no implications from anyone that Ohtani was involved in the alleged gambling, and thus there are no indications there will be any ramifications. Mizuhara has been steadfast in saying the baseball star was not involved in the gambling and Bowyer's attorney said Bowyer had no contact with the player.

Ohtani played for the Dodgers in their second game of the season Thursday -- which was played in South Korea -- and went 1-for-5 in a 15-11 loss to San Diego.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked about Mizuhara before the game, but he said he would not comment. When asked if it could be a distraction for Ohtani, he told reporters, "Shohei is ready," and said there was no consideration he wouldn't play.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Scoreboard roundup -- 3/20/24

iStock

(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Wednesday's sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

INTERLEAGUE
Atlanta 10, Toronto 9
Oakland 3, Chi Cubs 1
Cincinnati 3, Chi White Sox 1
Texas 8, Cincinnati 1
San Francisco 5, LA Angels 2
Baltimore 13, Philadelphia 4
NY Yankees 12, Pittsburgh 0

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Detroit 12, Minnesota 3
LA Angels 8, Kansas City 8

NATIONAL LEAGUE
LA Dodgers 5, San Diego 2
NY Mets 6, Miami 3
Arizona 5, Colorado 1
St. Louis 13, Washington 4

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Indiana 122, Detroit 103
Miami 107, Cleveland 104
Sacramento 123, Toronto 89
Boston 122, Milwaukee 119
Oklahoma City 119, Utah 107
LA Clippers 116, Portland 103
Phoenix 115, Philadelphia 102
Golden State 137, Memphis 116

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Los Angeles 6, Minnesota 0
Toronto 7, Washington 3
Dallas 5, Arizona 2

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


UFC settles wage suppression allegations for $335 million before trial

Raf Willems/Getty Images

(NEW YORK) -- TKO, the parent company of Ultimate Fighting Championship, will pay $335 million to settle a class action lawsuit over wage suppression, according to a company filing Wednesday.

"On March 13, 2024, TKO reached an agreement to settle all claims asserted in both class action lawsuits for an aggregate amount of $335 million payable by the Company and its subsidiaries in installments over an agreed-upon period of time," TKO said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The settlement comes just weeks before a trial was to begin April 15.

At issue were allegations that UFC used long-term contracts to delay or prevent free agency by hundreds of fighters and coerced them into signing deals that prevented them from maximum earning potential.

The lawsuit was originally filed against Zuffa LLC, the former name of the owners of UFC, in December 2014. Zuffa was later purchased by Endeavor, which merged with World Wrestling Entertainment in April 2023 and was renamed TKO Group Holdings.

The original lawsuit included fighters Cung Le, Nathan Quarry and Jon Fitch and expanded to include fighters such as Brandon Vera and others. The lawsuit was granted class action status in August 2023.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada had denied the UFC's motion for a summary judgment in the case on Jan. 18, opening the door to the trial beginning in April.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Scoreboard roundup -- 3/19/24

iStock

(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Tuesday's sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

INTERLEAGUE
San Francisco 9, Kansas City 8
Milwaukee 8, Cleveland 5
LA Angels 10, Cincinnati 6
Seattle 12, Colorado 3
Cleveland 8, Colorado 8
Philadelphia 0, Detroit 0
Miami 3, Houston 3

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Boston 5, Tampa Bay 2
Baltimore 13, Toronto 8
Oakland 7, Texas 7

NATIONAL LEAGUE
St. Louis 11, Miami 10
NY Mets 3, St. Louis 1
Arizona 4, Chi Cubs 1

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Orlando 112, Charlotte 92
Houston 137, Washington 114
New Orleans 104, Brooklyn 91
Dallas 113, San Antonio 107
Denver 115, Minnesota 112

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Detroit 4 Columbus 3 (OT)
New Jersey 5, Pittsburgh 2
Philadelphia 4, Toronto 3
Winnipeg 4, NY Rangers 2
Boston 6, Ottawa 2
Carolina 4, NY Islanders 1
Colorado 4, St. Louis 3
Nashville 8, San Jose 2
Edmonton 3, Montreal 2 (OT)
Minnesota 4, Anaheim 0
Los Angeles 6, Chicago 2
Tampa Bay 5, Vegas 3
Vancouver 3, Buffalo 2

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Scoreboard roundup -- 3/18/24

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(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Monday's sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

INTERLEAGUE
NY Yankees 4, Philadelphia 3
Tampa Bay 7, Atlanta 3
Miami 6, Houston 5
Milwaukee 4, LA Angels 3
Washington 10, Houston 1
LA Dodgers 5, Korea 2
Oakland 3, Arizona 3

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Minnesota 5, Boston 2
Final Seattle 9, Texas 5
Cleveland 8, Chi White Sox 5

NATIONAL LEAGUE
Pittsburgh 11, Philadelphia 2
San Francisco 4, Cincinnati 2

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Sacramento 121, Memphis 111 (OT)
Cleveland 108, Indiana 103
Boston 119, Detroit 94
Philadelphia 98, Miami 91
Chicago 110, Portland 107
Minnesota 114, Utah 104
New York 119, Golden State 112
LA Lakers 136, Atlanta 105

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Washington 5, Calgary 2
Buffalo 6, Seattle 2

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


LIV Golf's controversial growth raises questions over Saudi 'sportswashing'

Bubba Watson was one of the first pro golfers to join LIV Golf. -- ABC News

(NEW YORK) -- For the past three years, LIV Golf has taken the world of professional golf by storm.

The newly formed professional league has already lured away superstars like Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson with unmatchable salaries and a whole new attitude -- turning golf tournaments into open-air parties.

But not everyone is on board. Tiger Woods, who reportedly turned down $800 million to join LIV golf, and 24-time PGA Winner Rory McIlroy have been among LIV golf’s most vocal critics.

“What we're doing here is incredibly additive to the sport,” said Monica Fee, Global Head of Partnerships at LIV Golf. “When you look outside and you see 20-somethings coming out to experience golf for the very first time, 30% of our fans have never come out to a golf event before. And they're coming out to experience it through LIV. That's good for the sport of golf.”

But with all the fanfare, LIV Golf has come under fire and controversy because it’s created and fully funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The country's Public Investment Fund, or PIF, has reportedly poured more than $2 billion into LIV Golf, and billions more into other sports ventures as part of its plan to diversify the country’s economy beyond oil.

The PIF, which also owns a minority stake in Disney, the parent company of ABC News and Hulu, has been rapidly increasing its investments into sports and entertainment businesses. According to Global SWF, an organization that tracks sovereign wealth funds, the fund has invested $13.5 billion into sports alone since its inception.

The fund's expansion has been called out by human rights groups and Congressional leaders who point to the Saudi government's human rights violations, its ties to the 9/11 attacks and the murder of the Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a vocal critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.

"Big governments, and big corporations included, use sports-related content and the media stories tied to sports, in order to alter the information that reached their target audiences," Sarath Ganji, the director of the Autocracy and Global Sports Initiative told Impact. "Saudi Arabia can use the media cycle of good sports stories in the United States to push out all those negative stories."

Although the Saudi government has repeatedly denied allegations of its involvement in the 9/11 attacks, it has faced pushback from families of the victims through an ongoing class action lawsuit.

When LIV Golf was first announced in 2021, Terry Strada, chair of 9/11 Families United, said she was outraged as PGA stars started to join the new league.

"I wrote the first letter that went to Phil [Mickelson] and a few of the other players, and called them traitors," she told Impact.

Mickelson responded to the criticism from the 9/11 families during the 2022 U.S. Open, telling reporters, "We feel the deepest of sympathies for those who have lost loved ones, friends, in 9/11."

Mickelson also told Sky Sports Golf in June 2022, " I don't condone human rights violations, I don't know how I can be any more clear."

Former PGA pro Bubba Watson signed a multi-year contract worth more than $566 million with LIV Golf in 2022, telling Impact he has no regrets about joining the organization.

"I'm doing something that's fun, energetic, and new. And if you're going to grow the game of golf, this is the way, I believe, to do that," Watson told "Impact". "And so for me, it's all about me and my family."

Strada, whose husband was killed on 9/11, pushed back against Watson's rationale.

"Weren't they making millions on the PGAT? You didn't have to go to LIV Golf to provide for your family. You know, that's just another Saudi talking point," she said.

Initially, PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan suspended players who took deals with LIV Golf and allied himself with 9/11 Families United in criticizing the Saudi government.

"Some of the early criticisms that the PGA Tour launched against the LIV Golf tour were couched in moral terms," Ganji said.

Still, LIV Golf continued to grow, signing on more pro golfers, and putting the future of the PGA at risk, Jay Monahan told The New York Times. After months of media fights between the rival leagues, a surprise announcement was made last June, the PGA and LIV would join forces under one umbrella.

The PGA did not provide comment to Impact about the story.

In November Monahan told the New York Times, "the PGA Tour was facing an existential threat," from the Saudi investment fund.

"I knew in the short term it was going to be difficult because it was something that was going to be a surprise to people, but I firmly believed that the decision that I was making … was the right decision for the game," he told the Times.

Some PGA players who swore against LIV Golf, such as Rory McIlroy, said they felt blindsided by the surprise announcement.

"It’s hard for me to not sit up here and feel somewhat like a sacrificial lamb," he told reporters shortly after the announcement.

Strada said she was disappointed in the commissioner and felt betrayed.

"They definitely took advantage of the 9/11 story," she said. "You have to have a strong moral compass to stand up against the Kingdom."

Monahan responded to the criticism in a June 2023 interview with Golf Today.

"As we sit here today I understand the criticism that I’m receiving around the hypocrisy and me being hypocritical given my commentary and my actions over the past last couple of years," he said.

But in recent months, the investment group Strategic Sports Group, or SSG, announced it would invest upwards of $3 billion into the PGA tour, creating a new for profit venture “PGA tour enterprises.” The investment could force PIF to be a minority investor in the PGA, according to experts.

Although the future of the PGA Tour and LIV Golf partnership is still uncertain, Saudi influence in the sports world continues to grow as it invests in clubs, leagues and other sports groups throughout the world.

Ganji cautioned against letting these investments distract from the Kingdom’s human rights record.

"Sportswashing is such an interesting word…the washing part at the end of it is what's key. It implies that there was something stained, something dirty, fundamentally something problematic and wrong," he said. "But here's the thing: When you do something wrong as a political regime, you can't just get rid of the stain. It's a forever fact."

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


'Bee invasion' leads to suspended tennis match at BNP Paribas Open

A swarm of bees cover the spider cam after suddenly invading the court while Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Alexander Zverev of Germany were playing in their Quarterfinal match during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 14, 2024 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

(INDIAN WELLS, California) -- A professional tennis match at a tournament in California was suspended Thursday due to a rare "bee invasion," officials said.

Bees swarmed the primary showcourt Thursday afternoon at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, near Palm Springs, during the quarter-final match between Spain's Carlos Alcaraz and Germany's Alexander Zverev.

The bees began to swarm Alcaraz, the defending champion, while he was serving early in the first set, according to the ATP Tour, which called the incident a "rare occurrence."

The bees could also be seen crawling on the Spidercam.

"It's horrendous," an announcer said as Alcaraz was seen swatting his racquet at the bees and running off the court.

Alcaraz and Zverev ducked for cover in the locker room.

The chair umpire announced the match would be suspended until further notice.

"Play has been suspended due to bee invasion," the BNP Paribas Open said on social media.

The winner of the match will ultimately go on to face Italy's Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.

The BNP Paribas Open is the first of nine ATP Masters 1000 tournaments yearly.

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


Scoreboard roundup -- 3/14/24

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(NEW YORK) -- Here are the scores from Thursday's sports events:

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

INTERLEAGUE
Philadelphia 6, Boston 1
Tampa Bay 3, Atlanta 1
Baltimore 5, Pittsburgh 2
Seattle 4, Milwaukee 2
Chi Cubs 3, Oakland 1
Cleveland 13, Colorado 7
Kansas City 6, Arizona 0
Washington 5, Houston 3
Texas 7, Cincinnati 4

AMERICAN LEAGUE
Toronto 5, Minnesota 1
Detroit 7, NY Yankees 0
Chi White Sox 5, LA Angels 1

NATIONAL LEAGUE
NY Mets 0, St. Louis 0

NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
Boston 127, Phoenix 112
LA Clippers 126, Chicago 111
Houston 135, Washington 119
Milwaukee 114, Philadelphia 105
New York 105, Portland 93
Oklahoma City 126, Dallas 119

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
Buffalo 4, NY Islanders 0
Boston 2, Montreal 1 (OT)
Arizona 4, Detroit 1
Carolina 4, Florida 0
Pittsburgh 6, San Jose 3
Tampa Bay 6, NY Rangers 3
Ottawa 3, Columbus 2 (SO)
Toronto 6, Philadelphia 2
Minnesota 2, Anaheim 0
New Jersey 6, Dallas 2
Calgary 4, Vegas 1
Washington 2, Seattle 1

TOP-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Houston 60, TCU 45
UConn 87, Xavier 60
North Carolina 92, Florida St. 67
Arizona 70, Southern Cal 49
Iowa St. 76, Kansas St. 57
Providence 78, Creighton 73
Marquette 71, Villanova 65
NC State 74, Duke 69
Baylor 68, Cincinnati 56
South Carolina 80, Arkansas 66
Utah St. 87, Fresno St. 75
Texas Tech 81, BYU 67
Washington St. 79, Stanford 62
Colorado St. 85, Nevada 78
Duquesne 65, Dayton 57

Copyright © 2024, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.


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