MLB Umpire Pat Hoberg Fired for Violating Sports Betting Rules

MLB Umpire Pat Hoberg Fired for Violating Sports Betting Rules

Posted on: February 3, 2025, 08:23h. Last updated on: February 3, 2025, 08:23h.

Major League Baseball (MLB) umpire Pat Hoberg has been dismissed from his position after more than a decade of officiating in the league. The MLB stated that Hoberg was terminated for sharing a mobile sports betting account with a friend who placed regular bets on baseball games.

An investigation into Hoberg, 38, was launched in February 2024 after a licensed Iowa sportsbook operator alerted the league that the umpire had opened a sports betting account that had made wagers on baseball. The account was linked to a mobile device owned by Hoberg's friend, a professional poker player.

The MLB's investigation concluded that while Hoberg did bet frequently through his friend's device, there was no evidence to suggest he placed bets on games he officiated or on MLB games in general. However, Hoberg's friend did place bets on baseball games, which violated MLB Rule 21, which prohibits any league official, player, or employee from betting on baseball games.

Hoberg had appealed the disciplinary action last June, but after a lengthy process, MLB decided on February 3 to terminate his employment.

Umpire’s Career Before the Scandal

Prior to the scandal, Hoberg was regarded as one of the top umpires in MLB. He gained recognition for his work in the 2022 World Series, where he called balls and strikes during Game 2 between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros. Hoberg was also noted for his accuracy between 2017 and 2023, with a 96.4% accuracy rate, making him one of the most precise umpires in the league.

Hoberg’s downfall came as a result of his involvement in sports betting. He admitted to deleting text messages with his friend after the investigation began, explaining that he did so out of embarrassment about the frequency of his betting on other sports, though Rule 21 only prohibits MLB umpires from betting on baseball.

“I take full responsibility for the errors in judgment,” Hoberg said. “Those errors will always be a source of shame and embarrassment to me.”

He added, “Major League Baseball umpires are held to a high standard of personal conduct, and my own conduct fell short of that standard. That said, to be clear, I have never and would never bet on baseball in any way, shape, or form. I have never provided, and would never provide, information to anyone for the purpose of betting on baseball. Upholding the integrity of the game has always been of the utmost importance to me.”

No Evidence of Influence on Games

MLB’s investigation found no evidence to suggest that Hoberg’s decisions during games were influenced by his friend’s bets. The friend’s eight bets on games officiated by Hoberg all resulted in losses. However, the friend did place 133 other MLB bets from 2021 to 2023 using the joint account.

Potential for Reinstatement

Hoberg’s termination is not as permanent as the lifetime ban imposed on Pete Rose, as Hoberg is eligible to apply for reinstatement under the MLB Umpires Association’s collective bargaining agreement starting in Spring Training 2026.

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred emphasized that enforcing rules related to sports betting is vital to protect the integrity of the game. “An extensive investigation revealed no evidence that Mr. Hoberg placed bets on baseball directly or that he or anyone else manipulated games in any way,” Manfred stated.

Hoberg is the first MLB umpire to be dismissed for violating the league’s sports betting policies since the U.S. Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on legal sports gambling in May 2018.

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