MLB Commissioner Addresses NBA Betting Scandal Amid World Series
As the World Series unfolds, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred reassured fans of baseball's commitment to vigilance in light of the NBA's recent betting scandal. His remarks came just before Game 2, reflecting a proactive stance amidst growing concerns in the sports community.
Following the arrest of nearly thirty individuals, including Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, Manfred stated on October 25 that safeguarding the integrity of baseball remains the league's top priority.
“We didn’t ask to have legalized sports betting,” Manfred remarked, addressing reporters. “It kind of came, and that’s the environment in which we operate. Now we don’t have a lot of choice about that, and if it’s going to change — broadly change — probably the only way it would happen is the federal government.”
Historically, Major League Baseball has faced its share of gambling-related controversies. Recently, two pitchers from the Cleveland Guardians, Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, were suspended after a betting integrity firm flagged suspicious activity in June. Both players are still under investigation by the league.
Earlier this year, MLB terminated umpire Pat Hoberg for breaching gambling regulations. Additionally, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani found himself entangled in a scandal when his former interpreter admitted to stealing over $16 million from him to fund illegal sports bets. Ohtani was cleared of any wrongdoing after an investigation.
Despite these challenges, Manfred expressed continued support for partnerships with gambling companies, asserting that such collaborations are essential for monitoring betting activities. “Once you’re in that environment where sports betting is happening, the crucial issue is access to data,” he explained. “That means you have to have a relationship with the sportsbooks. Like most relationships, if you want something from them, you need to give something back to them.”
He elaborated on the importance of having systems that provide access to data, enabling the league to identify any irregularities. “When you get that, you need to conduct a thorough investigation, make sure that you understand exactly what caused that aberration. And then you need to discipline,” he added.
Manfred's comments followed NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's expression of concern regarding the gambling scandal during a pregame show on October 24. Silver described feeling “deeply disturbed” by the situation and confirmed ongoing cooperation with federal authorities as investigations proceed.
“There’s nothing more important to the league and its fans than the integrity of the competition,” Silver stated during the broadcast. “So I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting.”
