In a move that has prompted reactions ranging from incredulity to relief, the NBA has decided to prohibit awards voters from placing bets on those markets. This development, which many found astonishingly belated, was disclosed by “NBA on TNT” reporter Jared Greenberg on Friday, citing information from the league’s communications office.
“NBA Award voters are now officially prohibited from making wagers on NBA Awards categories during any season in which they are voting,” wrote Greenberg in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
For the 2023-24 NBA season, a panel of 99 members from the broadcast and print media were responsible for voting on awards such as Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, MVP, and the All-NBA teams. The voting process involved auditing and counting by the accounting firm Ernst & Young LLP.
The fact that voters had previously been allowed to place wagers on awards they helped determine has drawn significant commentary. While there’s no concrete evidence of vote manipulation, the possibility has frequently been a subject of debate among fans and media, particularly concerning high-profile awards like the MVP. During his prime, LeBron James was often cited as a perennial MVP candidate, a sentiment recently extended to Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić, who has won the MVP award three times in the past four seasons. Numerous fans argue Jokić deserved to win for four consecutive years.
The decision to ban voters from betting is likely a shrewd move by the NBA, especially given that 19 out of the league’s 30 franchises are situated in regions where some form of sports wagering is legal. This includes 17 states across the U.S., as well as Washington, DC, and Ontario, Canada.
This policy change follows closely on the heels of the lifetime ban imposed on former Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter. Porter was ousted from the league for allegedly manipulating game outcomes, although the NBA has not confirmed whether that particular incident influenced the new awards betting prohibition.
Despite this new ban, the NBA remains deeply intertwined with the gaming industry. At least three team owners have significant investments in casino gaming: Dan Gilbert of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Tilman Fertitta of the Houston Rockets, and the controlling families of the Dallas Mavericks, led by Dr. Miriam Adelson, the largest individual shareholder in Las Vegas Sands.
Additionally, Washington Wizards owner Ted Leonsis, through Monumental Sports & Entertainment, has been pivotal in introducing retail sportsbooks to various athletic venues in Washington, DC.
Moreover, the league’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA), established last year, permits players to invest in wagering companies. On a related note, the CBA has ramifications for the awards markets, stipulating that players must participate in a minimum of 65 games to qualify for MVP, All-NBA teams, and other major accolades.
