Major League Baseball has permanently terminated umpire Pat Hoberg due to his involvement in a betting account controversy.
Pat Hoberg was fired for sharing betting accounts, but there was no evidence he directly bet on baseball or influenced game outcomes, New York Post reported.
In February 2024, MLB launched an investigation after discovering a betting account registered under Hoberg's name. This probe revealed that his devices were linked to an account used by someone known to bet on baseball games. However, Hoberg denied any personal involvement in betting on baseball.
Following these revelations, MLB excluded Hoberg from the 2024 Championship Season and Spring Training while continuing its investigation. The findings concluded that, although Hoberg did not bet on baseball, his decision to share betting accounts with a professional poker player raised doubts about his integrity.
MLB initially enforced Hoberg's termination on May 31, 2024, but Hoberg appealed the decision. MLB later denied the appeal and upheld the termination earlier this week.
Senior Vice President of On-Field Operations, Michael Hill, emphasized that Hoberg's actions exhibited poor judgment and conduct unbecoming of an MLB official. His connection to betting activities through shared accounts with a known gambler triggered strict disciplinary action.
MLB identified Hoberg's friend, a professional poker player whom he met in 2014, as the individual betting on baseball using the shared accounts. Their relationship began at a poker tournament and eventually included various social gatherings and shared interests in sports gambling after it became legal in Iowa in 2019.
The investigation also revealed that Hoberg deleted messages during MLB's inquiry, further implicating him in misconduct. Although he did not manipulate game outcomes or bet on baseball himself, his actions compromised the perceived impartiality essential for an umpire.
In a statement to The Athletic, Hoberg expressed deep regret over his actions, stating that they would forever be sources of shame and embarrassment. He acknowledged that MLB umpires are held to a high standard which he failed to meet.
Despite the serious repercussions of his actions, Hoberg is eligible to apply for reinstatement in the spring of 2026, giving him a possible pathway back to Major League Baseball if he can demonstrate improved judgment and adherence to MLB's ethical standards.
Throughout the ordeal, Hoberg maintained his commitment to the integrity of baseball, saying, "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 to bet on baseball," underscoring his respect for the sport despite his missteps.
MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred stressed the importance of strict enforcement of betting regulations to preserve the integrity of baseball. "The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball’s rules governing sports betting conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans," Manfred said.
In his concluding remarks on Hoberg's case, Commissioner Manfred highlighted the delicate balance MLB must maintain. "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. However, his extremely poor judgment creates, at minimum, the appearance of impropriety that warrants imposing the most severe discipline," explained Manfred.
Hoberg's situation serves as a cautionary tale for MLB officials and underscores the league's commitment to maintaining the utmost ethical standards to protect the sport's integrity and the trust of its fans.
