FBI investigating St. Louis Cardinals for hacking another team's files
Sports teams employ questionable methods to gain an advantage over their opponents, but the FBI is looking into whether or not one team took to hacking. The Justice Department is investigating the St. Louis Cardinals for allegedly hacking into the Houston Astros' network and accessing files containing player information. According to the New York Times, investigators discovered evidence that front-office personnel hacked into the Astros' databases and looked at scouting reports, stats and info about potential trades. This is the first "known" incident of a pro sports franchise hacking another, as professional hackers, companies and groups operating in foreign countries are typically the culprits.
In a statement, the team says "it has fully cooperated with the investigation and will continue to do so. Given that this is an ongoing federal investigation, it is not appropriate for us to comment further." The Astros have seen a remarkable turnaround after years of disappointing seasons. Before the upswing, a so-called Ground Control program for keeping tabs on players was compromised. During the subsequent investigation, FBI agents found a computer at a home where Cardinals' officials lived was used to access the Astros' network.
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