Hoberg, 38, considered one of baseball’s best umpires, is the first known umpire to be terminated for violating baseball’s gambling policy.

While there is no evidence that Hoberg directly bet on baseball during his 529 direct bets totaling $709,606 with two sports books, an account he shared with his close friend – a professional poker player – revealed 141 bets on baseball games, including eight bets during five games that Hoberg was either umpiring or in New York’s video replay booth.

“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 a statement. “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.

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“Therefore, there is just cause to uphold Mr. Hoberg’s termination for failing to conform to high standards of personal conduct and to maintain the integrity of the game of baseball.”

MLB announced last summer that Hoberg was disciplined for potential illegal activity, but never revealed that he was terminated on May 24, 2024 because of an appeal he filed with the umpires’ union. MLB officially denied his appeal on Monday, ending his association with Major League Baseball.

Hoberg has the right to apply for reinstatement in 2026, just like Pete Rose had the opportunity to apply for reinstatement every year, but the all-time hits leader remained permanently banned from baseball until his death.

While Hoberg admitted to gambling on different sports, he vehemently denied gambling on baseball. Yet, after MLB opened its investigation in February, 2024, officials determined that he intentionally deleted messages central to its investigation. MLB did not find any data from sportsbooks that revealed Hoberg bet on baseball or manipulated the outcome of any games.

“I take full responsibility for the errors in judgment that are outlined in today’s statement,’ Hoberg said in his own statement. “Those errors will always be a source of shame and embarrassment to me. 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. I apologize to Major League Baseball and the entire baseball community for my mistakes. I vow to learn from them and to be a better version of myself moving forward.”

The MLB Umpires Association also released a statement, thanking the commissioner ‘for his careful consideration of Pat Hoberg’s appeal.

‘As Major League Baseball umpires, we have devoted our professional lives to upholding the rules and integrity of the game. If our union believed that an umpire bet on baseball, we would never defend him. But as today’s statement from the League makes clear, the neutral factfinder did not find that Pat placed bets on baseball. Yet we respect Pat’s unequivocal acceptance of responsibility for the mistakes that led to his termination.’

MLB opened its investigation last February when it received information from a licensed sports betting operator that Hoberg opened a sports betting account in his own name in January 2024, and that the personal electronic device associated with this account was connected with the legal sports betting account of a close friend of his who frequently traveled with him during the season.

Michael Hill, MLB senior vice president of on-field operations and workforce development, determined after viewing the evidence last year that “based on the totality of the circumstances, including impeding the investigation into his conduct, Hoberg’s conduct and extremely poor judgment created a situation in which Hoberg could not be trusted to maintain the integrity of the international game of baseball on the field as required by Article 9.A of the CBA.’’

Manfred reviewed all of the information during the grievance procedure, met personally with Hoberg, and upheld the termination.

Hoberg, who had a perfect score as the home-plate umpire during Game 2 of the 2022 World Series, began placing bets through his friend beginning in 2015 or 2016, and then opened his online account in 2019 when sports betting became legal in his home state of Iowa. Hoberg and his friend shared passwords and accounts, using the messaging app ‘Telegram.’ Hoberg and his friend settled outstanding debts in cash when they saw one another in person.

The investigation showed that Hoberg’s devices were used to place 529 direct bets with two sports books from Dec. 30, 2020 to Jan. 15, 2024, spending $709,605.83. He lost a total of $75,876 betting on football, basketball, hockey and golf. Hoberg’s associate bet 141 times on baseball between April 2, 2021-Nov. 1, 2023, betting a total of $213,754.45, focusing on the runs scored and the winner of games. Those bets produced winnings of $34,583.06.

There were five games that Hoberg was an umpire or in the replay booth in New York during those 141 bets, but MLB found no evidence of wrongdoing or attempt to manipulate the outcome of the games. His associate won $9,000 on those five games, all in 2021, but there was no call or replay that showed any potential pattern that indicated there was an integrity risk.

‘Throughout the entire process, Hoberg has adamantly denied betting on baseball or knowing that Individual A was betting on baseball, and the data provided by the sportsbooks does not show any baseball bets from his electronic devices,’ MLB said in a statement. ‘However, based on the record of evidence, it is found as a matter of fact that Hoberg knew or should have known that Individual A bet on baseball. He had unfettered access to the account that reflected his own bets – as well as his wins and losses.

“Individual A’s bets as well as wins and losses could easily be distinguished when compared to the Telegram ledger. Hoberg admitted that given Individual A was a sports gambler he had reason to believe that Individual A bet on baseball and thought that he could have bet on baseball.

“Hoberg acknowledged that he never told Individual A not to bet on baseball and said that it did not occur to him to ask if Individual A had done so. Accordingly, Hoberg did nothing to disassociate himself as a Major League Umpire from Individual A’s baseball betting for several years despite knowing that he was allowed to open betting accounts in his own name and bet on other sports.’’

The earliest Hoberg could apply for reinstatement is at the start of spring training in 2026, but in all probability, he has umpired his last game in Major League Baseball.

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(This story has been updated with additional details.)

Is there Tayvoodoo afoot at this year’s Super Bowl? Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce isn’t ruling it out.

Swifties coined the term to describe how pop star Taylor Swift seems to have an outsize effect on the universe. She may have deployed some of her magic when she mimed throwing a football during her Eras Tour in October at the Caesars Superdome — the site of Sunday’s big game in New Orleans.

‘We love to manifest things, for sure, and you can’t say it’s not real, because we’re here, right?’ Kelce said during a press availability at the stadium on Monday. ‘Whatever she was doing, I’m sure it helped.’

Fans suspect Swift alluded to Kelce and the Chiefs repeatedly during the course of the Eras Tour. They drew conclusions about the meanings behind her surprise mashups and noticed how she would call out the ‘guy on the Chiefs’ by changing the lyrics to her song ‘Karma’ on nights the team won. Kelce only made it to one U.S. Eras Tour show this year because of his football schedule.

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‘For me not being able to be there supporting her during those weeks, it made me feel like I was there,’ he said Monday.

The tight end fielded a few questions about his girlfriend Monday between inquiries about his team and their Super Bowl strategy, but he didn’t seem to mind. He brushed off a reporter who asked about his message for non-Swifties.

‘Who’s not a Swiftie?’ Kelce replied.

When another reporter asked about Swift’s famous baked goods, Kelce said she was ‘quite the cook.’

‘I’m a breakfast man. Her homemade Pop-Tarts are unbelievable,’ he said.

He also spoke about the drive the couple shares.

‘I better hold up my end of the bargain, right?’ he said. ‘If she’s out here being the superstar she is and never taking no for an answer and always working her tail off, I better match that energy.’

Swift brought some of that energy to the Grammys on Sunday, where she presented an award to Beyoncé and was seen in the audience dancing with a bottle of champagne. She wore red, the Chiefs’ signature color, and a ‘T’ charm on her leg.

At the end of his media appearance on Monday, Kelce had a message for Swifties in the form of a simple heart hand gesture.

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The Dallas Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers stunned the sporting world — including Patrick Mahomes.

Even as he prepared for Super Bowl 59, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback — and avowed Mavericks fan — had an incredulous reaction to the stunning deal that materialized over the weekend. His first post on X was simply ‘Wait what?’ Followed by ‘I’m sick rn….’

With more time to process the deal and his feelings, Mahomes still said the trade stung a bit.

‘It’s tough, you know, because I’ve watched (Doncic) since he was 18 years old,’ Mahomes said at Super Bowl Opening Night in New Orleans on Monday. ‘I remember going to a practice and it was Dirk (Nowitzki) and Luka, and seeing his maturation and how great of a basketball he has became (sic), it’s been fun to watch.

‘As a Dallas fan, it hurts me. But I’m happy for him that he’s going to be able to go out there and be in LA and try to achieve his dream of winning a championship. He did so much, not only for the basketball team but for the city of Dallas, so I’ll always be appreciative of those years. But I’m excited for the Mavericks moving forward and the guys they brought in.’

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Mahomes wasn’t the only marquee player in the Super Bowl to be stunned by the move, which sent Anthony Davis to the Mavericks.

‘I kinda was shocked by that too,’ Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley said. ‘I think everybody in the sports world was shocked by that. But sports is a crazy business, and I think Luka and AD are gonna make the most of it.’

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Major League Baseball, which fired umpire Pat Hoberg for his association with a known gambler and officially denied his appeal Monday, said there is no evidence Hoberg gambled on baseball or manipulated the outcome of any game he umpired during his career.

While MLB made it clear that Hoberg violated their gambling policy, MLB officials insist there’s a distinction between Hoberg’s wrongful actions and those of former NBA referee Tim Donaghy, who was sentenced to prison for betting on games that he officiated.

There were 141 baseball bets placed by Hoberg’s close friend, called Individual A in the MLB report, a professional poker player who placed 19 of the bets from Hoberg’s house. There were eight bets placed during the 2021 season on five games that Hoberg either umpired or was a replay review official.

MLB found no evidence of any wrongdoing in those five games, the investigation revealed in its detailed report:

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April 13, 2021

Hoberg was the third base umpire in the game San Francisco Giants-Cincinnati Reds game and had three close plays, according to the MLB evaluation system. The three calls were all correct.
Hoberg’s friend made two bets for $2,000 and $1,000 on the Reds – and lost with the Giants winning, 7-6.

June 15, 2021

Hoberg was the lead replay official for the Chicago Cubs-New York Mets game. There was not a single replay review.
Hoberg’s friend bet $1,050 on the Cubs – and won $1,550.

Aug. 15, 2021

Hoberg was the home plate umpire for the Los Angeles Dodgers-New York Mets game. He missed only two pitches in the game, according to MLB’ evaluation system, with a score of 98.89%. The two missed pitches were in “low-leverage situations’’ and benefitted the Dodgers, with the six other calls “within the buffer zone”, with four going against the Dodgers and two against the Mets.
Hoberg’s friend bet $3,200 on the Dodgers – and won $5,200.

Oct. 8, 2021

Hoberg was the third base umpire for the Los Angeles Dodgers-San Francisco Giants playoff game in the NLDS but did not have any calls close enough to be logged in MLB’s evaluation system.
Hoberg’s friend bet $2,000 on the Giants and $3,000 on the over-under – and won both bets for a total of $9,300 with the Giants beating the Dodgers, 4-0.

Oct. 30, 2021

Hoberg was the lead replay official for Game 4 of the World Series between the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves. There was only one replay review when the Houston Astros challenged a safe call at second base. Hoberg confirmed the call, which was supported by the staff in the Replay Operations Center.
Hoberg’s friend made two separate bets on the Astros for $3,000 and $1,050 – and lost both when Atlanta won, 3-2.

‘MLB analyzed baseball bets placed from Individual A’s accounts and corresponding game data to search for any discernible patterns that could indicate integrity risks,’ MLB said in its investigation. “Overall, although the baseball bets were profitable, the data did not support a finding that baseball bets from Individual A’s accounts were connected to game-fixing or other efforts to manipulate any part of any baseball game or event.

‘Critically, the baseball betting activity did not focus on any particular club, pitcher, or umpire, and there was no apparent correlation between bet success and bet size.  The eight bets on games Hoberg worked similarly did not reveal any obvious pattern.’

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The start of the San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies game was delayed due to a fan getting medical attention courtside, with several reports of the person receiving CPR.

Monday’s game was taking place at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, and the game was about to tip off when it was delayed for the individual in distress. Reporters at the game said on social media it appeared a man courtside passed out, and emergency services were on the scene. Video shared on social media showed medical personnel administering CPR to the fan as officials waited on the court, and other spectators looked on.

The Grizzlies huddled up and prayed as the scene was unfolding.

Both teams were sent to their locker rooms as emergency services continued. Video showed the fan being taken out of the court on a stretcher as arena workers tried to cover the person as he was escorted out.

‘Just prior to the start of tonight’s game, a fan sitting courtside suffered a medical emergency,’ a Grizzlies spokesperson said, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, part of the USA TODAY Network. ‘We are sending our thoughts and prayers to the individual involved and are thankful to the first responders and medical staff who provided the necessary care. The start of the game commenced after a delay.’

San Antonio and Memphis eventually came back out and took part warm-ups. The delayed tip-off time was around 8:50 p.m. ET. The status of the fan was not revealed.

(This story was updated with additional information.)

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The biggest trade of the NBA season – and one of the biggest deals in NBA history – happened Saturday.

That’s when the Dallas Mavericks sent star guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis in a three-team, multi-player, multi-draft pick trade.

So, it’s going to be difficult to top that explosive deal ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. Even so, De’Aaron Fox and Zach LaVine are off the board following the three-team trade Sunday among Sacramento, San Antonio and Chicago that sent Fox from the Kings to the Spurs and LaVine from the Bulls to the Kings.

Who is next? Can the Heat find a palatable deal for unhappy Jimmy Butler? Is New Orleans’ Brandon Ingram staying or going? What about Washington’s Kyle Kuzma, Jonas Valanciunas and Jordan Poole? And Utah’s Collin Sexton, John Collins and Jordan Clarkson? Will the Bulls dismantle the roster with an additional trade involving Nik Vucevic and/or Lonzo Ball? Will Brooklyn find the perfect deal for Cam Johnson?

Are Milwaukee, Phoenix and Memphis in the mix for a big-time player?

We soon will find out.

Here are the trades that have happened since the start of the 2024-25 NBA season:

2024-25 NBA trade deadline tracker

Spurs add De’Aaron Fox in trade involving Zach LaVine

Feb. 2: The San Antonio Spurs reached a deal to acquire De’Aaron Fox from the Sacramento Kings in a three-team trade that also sends the Chicago Bulls’ Zach LaVine to the Kings. In addition to Fox, the Spurs also acquired Jordan McLaughlin, while the Kings get Sidy Cissoko, three future first-round picks (2025, 2027 and 2031) and three future second-round picks (2025, and two in 2028). The Bulls receive Zach Collins, Tre Jones, Kevin Huerter and a 2025 first-round pick..

Luka Doncic traded to Lakers for Anthony Davis

Feb. 1: The Los Angeles Lakers have reached a deal to acquire Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks as part of a three-team trade that has Anthony Davis, Max Christie and a first-round pick going to Dallas in a stunning blockbuster trade that also involves the Utah Jazz. The Lakers will also receive Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris from Dallas. The Jazz will acquire Jalen Hood-Schifino and a 2025 second-round pick from the Lakers and a 2025 second-round pick from the Mavericks.

P.J. Tucker situation resolved in Jazz-Clippers trade

Feb. 1: The Los Angeles Clippers traded forward P.J. Tucker, who hasn’t played this season as the Clippers found a trade for him, center Mo Bamba, a 2030 second-round pick and cash considerations to the Utah Jazz for forward/center Drew Eubanks and guard Patty Mills.

Suns receive first-round picks from the Jazz

Jan. 21: The Utah Jazz sent three first-round picks (2025, 2027 and 2029) to the Phoenix Suns for the Suns’ 2031 unprotected first-round pick.

Suns trade for Nick Richards

Jan. 15: The Charlotte Hornets sent center Nick Richards and a second-round draft pick to the Phoenix Suns for guard-forward Josh Okogie and three second-round picks.

Lakers land Dorian Finney-Smith

Dec. 29: The Los Angeles Lakers traded guard D’Angelo Russell, forward Maxwell Lewis and three second-round draft picks (a protected pick in 2027 and unprotected picks in 2030 and 2031) to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton.

Warriors acquire Dennis Schroder from Nets

Dec. 15: The Golden State Warriors acquired guard Dennis Schroder and a 2025 second-round pick (via Miami) from the Brooklyn Nets for guard De’Anthony Melton, guard Reece Beekman and three second-round draft picks – one in 2026 from Atlanta, one in 2028 from Atlanta and one in 2029 from Golden State.

Heat sends Thomas Bryant to Pacers

Dec. 15: The Heat traded center Thomas Bryant to the Indiana Pacers for the right to swap second-round picks in 2031. Miami will receive the more favorable of the two teams’ second-round picks in 2031.

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