NBA removes team-employed media from awards voting

The NBA is continuing its overhaul of how end-of-season awards are doled out, and one of the changes is the removal of team-employed media members from the balloting process for honors such as MVP, Rookie of the Year, and All-NBA nods.

Indiana Pacers radio voice Mark Boyle stated as much via Twitter on Monday, something confirmed by Chicago Bulls radio play-by-play man Chuck Swirsky.

For many years now, a panel of over 100 media members has voted on the league-awarded, end-of-season honors: MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Sixth Man, Most Improved Player, and Rookie of the Year. However, many - if not most - franchises directly employ their own team broadcasters and to an increasing extent, digital journalists.

Given that dynamic, the league is choosing to eliminate potential conflicts of interests by removing voting privileges from people who are essentially players' co-workers.

The NBA significantly altered All-Star balloting this season as well, giving players a weighted vote in the process. The end-of-season honors are also morphing from being randomly handed out during the playoffs to a star-studded awards gala - the inaugural one is scheduled for June 26 at New York City's Pier 36.