The scandals involving gambling in American sports have taken an unexpected turn. As the FBI brings NBA players to court over illegal betting rings, one saw it was time to revisit the Shohei Ohtani translator scandal. That person works for a company that Major League Baseball itself funds. It’s rare for one league’s darkest hour to become another league’s punchline in the sports world. And fans? They don’t seem to find it funny.
On Thursday morning, NBA coach Chauncey Billups, along with other players—including Miami’s Terry Rozier—was reportedly arrested in an FBI-led investigation into an illegal sports betting operation. As per reports, Billups is accused of being involved in rigged high-stakes poker games that La Cosa Nostra criminal groups are said to have funded. Rozier is accused of involvement in another operation that used private information about NBA players and teams to place insider sports bets. The poker games used high-tech cheating tools like chip tray analyzers, tampered-with shuffle devices, and even X-ray tables that could read cards face down.
That news became the highlight. Joez Mcfly from Jomboy Media decided to bring back baseball’s most controversial gambling story. “IPPEIIIIIIIIIII START TALKIN GOAT NO BETTER TIME THAN TODAY,” he wrote on X. He was referring to Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who stole around $17 million from the Dodgers’ star to pay off gambling debts and then pleaded guilty to bank fraud and tax evasion charges earlier this year.
[Twitter post: IPPEIIIIIIIIIII START TALKIN GOAT NO BETTER TIME THAN TODAY pic.twitter.com/ByfDBVAb9Q – JoezMcfLy]
Ippei Mizuhara’s case was a shocker in the league. Shohei Ohtani’s longtime translator and close friend was accused of stealing millions from the two-way superstar’s accounts to pay off debts from illicit gambling. He later went to jail after admitting guilt, and federal investigators found no evidence that Ohtani was involved.
McFly’s tweet seemed like a joke to go with the Billups revelation, but the internet didn’t find it funny. What’s the problem? McFly works for Jomboy Media, which is a corporation that works directly with the MLB. Many fans saw the post as a conflict of interest, arguing that someone from an MLB-affiliated publication shouldn’t mock or question the league’s integrity in a sensitive, high-profile case.
Jomboy Media, founded by Jimmy O’Brien, is a fan-driven sports outlet known for its creative game breakdowns and player-focused content. In 2022, it partnered with Major League Baseball to produce official highlight videos and storytelling features, gaining access to league footage and resources. The partnership blurred the line between independent media and league affiliation, which is why Joez McFly’s tweet drew intense criticism over professionalism and conflict of interest.
As of Friday morning, neither Jomboy Media nor MLB had stated McFly’s post. The silence has fueled speculation about possible consequences or an internal review, with fans debating whether the company or the league will address the controversy publicly.
Baseball media under fire for insensitivity
MLB partner employee’s gambling joke about the Dodgers star’s translator scandal amid the NBA’s FBI probe has sparked outrage over professionalism and conspiracy theories.
The backlash came fast, with fans questioning why someone employed by a company that makes baseball content and works for the league would post about such a sensitive issue. One user wrote, “MLB funds the shi— company this clown works for btw,” calling out the clear conflict of interest. When the league backs a media partner, professionalism is expected—and this time, that line seems to have been crossed.
Another fan called McFly’s post attention-seeking, saying, “What a loser, doing all this for engagement.” Instead of offering insight on the NBA betting probe or the Mizuhara case, the tweet reignited an old scandal purely for clicks. It racked up over 1.3 million views, but few saw it as clever.
One pointed response read, “Employee of MLB insinuating that both the MLB and the FBI covered up a national sports conspiracy ring, surely this is a good look.” Critics said McFly’s sarcasm implied serious misconduct by both organizations—something that could damage trust in the league and its players.
Some fans demanded consequences. “A person employed by a company that makes baseball content and works for the league posts this? MLB needs to stop working with them expeditiously,” one wrote. Many argued Jomboy Media’s credibility is now under scrutiny, as fans wait to see if MLB responds.
Others predicted the partnership’s end. “Jomboy Media about to burn that MLB partnership to the ground lmfao,” another user posted. The situation highlights how a single tweet can strain business ties that rely on professionalism and mutual trust.
Joez McFly’s “joke” serves as a reminder that in today’s online world, poor timing and tone can quickly turn humor into controversy—and controversy into real consequences.