In yet another sports betting scandal in 2025, veteran MLB umpire, Pat Hoberg has found himself in peril.
Major League Baseball opted to sever ties with Hoberg on February 2, after a probe determined the umpire was guilty of sharing an online sports betting account with a friend who was a professional poker player and also engaged in baseball betting.
In a statement issued by the League on Monday, MLB stated that Hoberg failed to “maintain the integrity of the game.”
“The punitive measure was enacted due to Hoberg’s inability to maintain the integrity of the game by sharing sports wagering accounts with a professional poker player and associate who placed bets on baseball and whom Hoberg should have known was wagering on baseball, and due to Hoberg’s deliberate deletion of messages critical to MLB’s inquiry into his behavior,” MLB noted in the announcement.
Mavericks Star Speaks Out on Sports Betting
The rise of online sports wagering has become closely linked with the way fans engage with the games. Online sports betting is currently permitted in over 26 states, with more expected to follow. However, its prevalence has become overpowering for some individuals.
In some instances, the betting odds are advertised during the contests. During NBA broadcasts on TNT, “Inside the NBA” presenters Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley provide live betting picks sponsored by FanDuel. While some consider the rise of online gambling beneficial for the sport, Mavs star Kyrie Irving believes it has detracted from the “purity” of basketball.
“Gambling and sports betting has completely diminished the purity and the enjoyment of the game at times. I’m just being honest with you all,” Irving remarked via Sports Illustrated.
“There is a distinction between being a devoted fan and cheering for your team and nurturing your team versus someone who’s betting on a parlay. … Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t want anyone squandering their money on me. But goodness, this entire community of gamblers has infiltrated the game of basketball.”
Image Source: Newsbot Sports @ YouTube
