Owen Hanson, once celebrated as a promising collegiate athlete, ultimately became known for far more notorious pursuits. What began as a seemingly straightforward career in sports gradually evolved into a complex criminal enterprise encompassing illegal sports betting, international money laundering operations, and large-scale narcotics trafficking backed by cartel networks.
In the early 2000s, Hanson served as a backup tight end for the University of Southern California’s football team – a position that placed him within the inner circles of elite collegiate athletics yet outside the spotlight reserved for star players. During his years at USC, however, his ambitions extended beyond the football field. As a student, Hanson began engaging in illicit activities by smuggling anabolic steroids across the U.S.–Mexico border. This early involvement in contraband reflected not only opportunism but also a growing inclination toward high-risk ventures that promised rapid financial gain.
Following the global financial crisis of 2008, which dramatically disrupted traditional financial markets, Hanson redirected his efforts into the realm of underground sports betting. Capitalizing on both his insider knowledge of athletics and his extensive network of players and affluent contacts, he founded ODOG Enterprise, an illegal betting organization headquartered in Costa Rica. The operation specifically catered to wealthy gamblers seeking private, high-stakes wagers conducted beyond the boundaries of legality. Through his sports connections, Hanson exploited insider information, offered manipulated betting tips, and at times leveraged bribery to influence outcomes. When clients hesitated to settle their debts, he resorted to coercive tactics — including intimidation and threats — to ensure payments were made in full.
Hanson’s sprawling criminal operations eventually drew the attention of federal authorities. In 2017, after a lengthy investigation, the FBI arrested him on charges of racketeering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute narcotics. Upon conviction, he received a sentence of twenty-one years and three months in federal prison — a penalty reflecting the scale and sophistication of his crimes. During his incarceration, Hanson ultimately served seven years and relinquished approximately five million dollars in assets as part of his forfeiture agreement with the government.
Since his release, Hanson has spoken publicly about his experiences within the underworld of illegal betting, particularly in an interview with *Business Insider*, where he described the mechanics of money laundering and the extravagant, perilous lifestyle surrounding high-rolling gamblers. He provided insights into his prior dealings with cartel suppliers, detailing the logistics of steroid smuggling across the U.S.–Mexico border and the intricate financial mechanisms used to mask illicit profits.
In addition to recounting his criminal past, Hanson has recast his story through various creative and entrepreneurial outlets. He authored *The California Kid: From USC Golden Boy to International Drug Kingpin*, a memoir chronicling his descent from celebrated athlete to global criminal figure. Drawing inspiration from his experiences and his Southern California roots, he also founded California Ice Protein – an innovative frozen snack brand that blends fitness culture with culinary tradition, modeled after the popular Mexican *paleta* ice pops.
Hanson’s dramatic life story has further attracted attention from the entertainment industry. He is the subject of a three-part documentary series titled *Cocaine Quarterback*, produced by Mark Wahlberg’s company, Unrealistic Ideas, which premiered on Prime Video in September. The series explores the duality of Hanson’s character — at once a product of competitive sports culture and a perpetrator of elaborate criminal schemes — while examining broader questions about ambition, greed, and the corrupting power of underground wealth.
For readers interested in learning more, Hanson’s book is available through his website at www.TheCaliforniaKid.com. The documentary trailer for *Cocaine Quarterback* can also be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBRs2InNTSE.
Note: The logo displayed on Hanson’s hat in related imagery has been deliberately obscured to prevent any implication of brand endorsement or association with the themes of crime and misconduct discussed above.
Sourse: https://www.businessinsider.com/how-illegal-sports-betting-actually-works-2025-10
