Sports scandal list grows as umpire’s controversial exit makes headlines.
Pat Hoberg, a 38-year-old umpire, has become the latest professional sports figure ensnared in a betting scandal. Major League Baseball terminated Hoberg on Monday due to his involvement in sharing his legal sports gambling accounts with a friend who placed bets on baseball games. Additionally, Hoberg was found to have intentionally deleted electronic messages relevant to the league’s investigation. MLB initiated the inquiry last February after receiving information from a sportsbook, leading to Hoberg not officiating any games last season. While the investigation did not reveal evidence of Hoberg personally betting on baseball or manipulating games, MLB’s senior vice president of on-field operations, Michael Hill, recommended Hoberg’s dismissal on May 24. Commissioner Rob Manfred confirmed on Monday that he supported Hill’s decision. Known for his expertise in judging the strike zone, Hoberg may apply for reinstatement no earlier than the 2026 spring training.
The investigation disclosed that Hoberg’s friend placed 141 baseball bets between April 2, 2021, and Nov. 1, 2023, amounting to nearly $214,000 with an overall profit of almost $35,000. This included eight wagers on games officiated by Hoberg.
This incident adds to a long history of betting scandals involving professional sports:
– In 1920, eight members of the Chicago White Sox were indicted amid allegations of fixing the 1919 World Series, leading to their permanent banishment from baseball.
– In 1946, Hockey Hall of Famer Babe Pratt faced suspension for gambling but was later reinstated with a warning from the NHL Board of Governors.
– In 1948, NHL players Billy Taylor and Don Gallinger received lifetime bans for betting on hockey games.
– In 1951, numerous players were accused of game-fixing between 1947 and 1951, including members of the Kentucky Wildcats, resulting in severe penalties.
– In 1980, Italian soccer teams were penalized for their involvement in a match-fixing scandal, with Paolo Rossi receiving a two-year ban.
– In 1981, former Boston College basketball player Rick Kuhn and others were convicted of conspiring to fix basketball games.
– In 1985, Tulane suspended its basketball program due to point-shaving allegations.
– In 1989, Pete Rose accepted a lifetime ban for betting on his team while playing and managing the Cincinnati Reds.
– In 1996, Boston College football team members were implicated in a betting scandal, with the story continuing…
Several sports figures have faced consequences for involvement in gambling activities over the years. In one case, college football players were suspended for gambling, with their coach resigning after allegations of betting. In a separate incident, current Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet received probation for conspiracy and promoting gambling while working with the Coyotes. NBA referee Tim Donaghy pleaded guilty to wire fraud for providing insider tips to a gambler. Rugby coach Rob Howley was suspended for betting on games, including matches involving his team. England defender Kieran Trippier was banned for sharing insider information with friends for betting purposes. Several NFL players have also faced suspensions for gambling violations. In soccer, there have been investigations into match-fixing scandals. Golfer Phil Mickelson was alleged to have wagered large sums of money, prompting him to publicly acknowledge his gambling habits. Soccer players Ivan Toney, Sandro Tonali, and Nicolò Fagioli have served gambling bans. NHL player Shane Pinto received a suspension for sports gambling, although there was no evidence of him betting on hockey. Additionally, the Los Angeles Dodgers fired their interpreter due to ties with an illegal bookmaker.
Some time later, Mizuhara admitted guilt in federal court for bank and tax fraud, confessing to stealing close to $17 million from Ohtani’s bank account. He used the money to fund his escalating gambling habits and debts owed to an illegal bookmaker, as well as splurging $325,000 on baseball cards and covering his own medical expenses. Taking advantage of the language barrier, Mizuhara manipulated Ohtani’s financial advisors to remain oblivious to their client’s situation, at times going as far as impersonating the player to the bank in order to prolong his deceit.
In April 2024, Jontay Porter, a forward for the Toronto Raptors, received a lifetime ban from the NBA following an investigation that revealed he divulged confidential information to sports bettors and placed bets on games, including wagering on his own team to lose. Commissioner Adam Silver condemned Porter’s actions as “blatant.” The probe was initiated after the league was alerted by licensed sports betting operators and a monitoring organization about anomalous betting activities surrounding Porter during a game against Sacramento on March 20. It was discovered that Porter shared details about his health prior to the game with a bettor, who subsequently placed an $80,000 bet predicting that Porter would not meet certain performance benchmarks in parlay bets through an online sportsbook, potentially winning $1.1 million.
In June 2024, Tucupita Marcano, an infielder for the San Diego Padres, was permanently banned by MLB for engaging in baseball betting. MLB disclosed that Marcano placed 387 baseball bets amounting to over $150,000 with a legal sportsbook between 2022 and 2023. Despite his 149 games of major league experience, the 24-year-old Venezuelan became the first active player in a century to be banned for life due to gambling. Additionally, Michael Kelly, a pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, was handed a one-year suspension for betting on baseball during his time in the minor leagues. Furthermore, three minor league players—pitchers Jay Groome of San Diego, Andrew Saalfrank of Arizona, and infielder José RodrÃguez of Philadelphia—were each banned for one year for betting on major league games, with wagers under $1,000. Saalfrank and RodrÃguez had previously played in the majors.
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