"A Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and two of the top jockeys in horse racing were allegedly linked to illegal cockfighting in Puerto Rico through social media posts, according to reporting from USA Today. The article, published Thursday, highlights social media posts advertising cockfighting tournaments that picture three-time All-Star closer Edwin Díaz in his Dodger's uniform and an article in El Nuevo Día, the largest circulating newspaper in Puerto Rico, quoting Díaz."
"Brothers and jockeys Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz, who finished first and second, respectively, in the Kentucky Derby this month were advertised as participants in a cockfighting tournament in 2025, according to the outlet. Representatives for Díaz and the Ortiz brothers did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. Díaz and the Ortiz brothers were born in Puerto Rico where cockfighting has been a longstanding cultural tradition, a massive industry and a source of tension between the U.S. territory and the federal government."
"In 2019, a federal law banning cockfighting took effect in Puerto Rico. Before the law, the blood sport had been made illegal in all 50 states, but not U.S. territories. Many Puerto Ricans saw the ban as an attack on their culture and vowed to defy the law. Puerto Rico responded by passing a law saying that it's legal to host cockfights as long as people don't export or import the animals or any goods or services related to cockfighting."
"In the El Nuevo Día story, which published in March, Díaz is quoted talking about cockfighting, saying it was a pastime he'd followed since he was a child. He was attending a tournament in which his family entered four roosters, according to the article. "It's legal in Puerto""
A Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and two prominent jockeys were allegedly connected to illegal cockfighting in Puerto Rico through social media advertising. Posts promoted cockfighting tournaments and included an image of Edwin Díaz in a Dodgers uniform, along with a March quote from El Nuevo Día. The quote described Díaz following cockfighting since childhood and attending a tournament where his family entered four roosters. The Ortiz brothers and jockeys Jose Ortiz and Irad Ortiz were advertised as participants in a 2025 cockfighting tournament. Cockfighting has long been a cultural tradition in Puerto Rico, and federal law banning it took effect in 2019. Puerto Rico later allowed hosting cockfights under restrictions, while the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge in 2021.
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