Conflicts of Interest and the Public Trust
Umpires and referees are hired to impartially officiate their respective games, enforce the rules and ensure fair play. The credence of these officials builds public trust and protects the integrity of the games. Everyone complains that the ump or the ref got the call wrong, but seldom, if ever, does anyone suspect a conflict of interest or believe these officials received payments from players, managers or owners of the teams. If these officials weren’t trustworthy, it would shake the confidence and probity of sports to its core. It would demoralize fans and destroy the games. Billions would be lost by…