MLB Upholds Decision to Fire Ump Sharing Sports Betting Account

• The MLB upheld decision to fire umpire Pat Hoberg
• Hoberg was fired after it was revealed he shared a sports betting account with a friend
• The friend bet on baseball through Hoberg’s account

Major League Baseball reaffirmed its decision to terminate umpire Pat Hoberg after it was revealed he shared a sports betting account with a friend who placed wagers on baseball.

Following an appeal process with the Major League Baseball Umpires Association (MLBUA), Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. upheld an earlier decision to fire Hoberg from his position.

Hoberg denied he bet on baseball himself. An MLB investigation, and collaborative sportsbook data, did not show any baseball bets from any of his personal devices.

No Game Outcome Manipulation

An investigation into Hoberg kicked off in February 2024 after MLB received information from a licensed sportsbook that the umpire had opened an account in his own name. According to data from the sportsbook, an electronic device not owned or registered in Hoberg’s name as the main user of the account.

It was determined that Hoberg allowed a friend, who is also a professional poker player, to use the account. The friend used the account to bet on baseball.

Hoberg denied betting on baseball and the investigation revealed he, or anyone else, took any actions to manipulate the outcome of any MLB games.

However, the investigation did reveal Hoberg did delete several emails central to MLB’s investigation into his conduct.

May Apply For Reinstatement by 2026

Hoberg was terminated by MLB effective May 31, 2024. Upon the notification, Hoberg appealed the decision and underwent an in-person hearing with Manfred after a review of all information.

Manfred upheld the decision to terminate Hoberg. He’ll be able to apply for reinstatement during 2026 spring training.

“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. 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 in sharing betting accounts with a professional poker player he had reason to believe bet on baseball and who did, in fact, bet on baseball from the shared accounts, combined with his deletion of messages, creates at minimum the appearance of impropriety that warrants imposing the most severe discipline,” Manfred said.