The FSWA’s independent panel of three academic judges has finished its review – it’s time to announce the finalists for the 2012 FSWA Writing Awards.

Pat Mayo of RotoExperts leads the list. Not only does Mayo lead all candidates with five nods, but his work was recognized across several sports. Alessandro Miglio of Pro Football Focus and Jack Moore of RotoWire each have three nominations.

RotoWire leads all companies with 16 nominations, followed by RotoExperts (seven) and The Sporting News (six).

Brad Evans, Miglio and Brad Pinkerton lead the pack for Football Writer of the Year. Alex Beckey, Mayo and Moore will compete for Baseball Writer of the Year.

Here is the complete list of this year’s finalists:

Football Writer of the Year
Brad Evans - Yahoo!
Alessandro Miglio - Pro Football Focus
Brad Pinkerton - The Sporting News

Best Football Series
Jonathan Bales - RotoWire
Andy Behrens - Yahoo!
Patrick Mayo - RotoExperts

Best Football Article in Print
Allie Fontana - Football Diehards
Matt Lutovsky - The Sporting News
Peter Schoenke - RotoWire

Best Football Article on the Web
John Georgeopolous - Sports Grumblings
Alessandro Miglio - Pro Football Focus
Brad Pinkerton - The Sporting News

Best Football Print Publication
Pro Football Weekly
RotoWorld
Sports Illustrated

Baseball Writer of the Year
Alex Beckey - Baseball HQ
Patrick Mayo - RotoExperts
Jack Moore - RotoWire

Best Baseball Series
Patrick DiCaprio - USA Today
Patrick Mayo - RotoExperts
Jack Moore - RotoWire

Best Baseball Article in Print
Alex Beckey - Baseball HQ
Jason Collette - Owners Edge
Matt Lutovsky - The Sporting News

Best Baseball Article on the Web
Jason Collette - Owners Edge
Patrick Mayo - RotoExperts
Jack Moore - RotoWire

Best Baseball Print Publication
Baseball Forecaster
RotoWire
The Sporting News

Basketball Writer of the Year
James Anderson - RotoWire
Shannon McKeown - RotoWire
Brian McKitish - ESPN

Hockey Writer of the Year
Janet Eagleson - RotoWire
Andrew Fiorentino - RotoWire
Mark McLarney - RotoWire

College Sports Writer of the Year
Chris Morgan - RotoWire
Mario Puig - RotoWire
Jesse Siegel - RotoWire

Racing Writer of the Year
Daniel E. Dobish - RotoExperts
Eric McClung - KFFL
C.J. Radune - RotoWire

Golf Writer of the Year
Daniel E. Dobish - RotoExperts
Patrick Mayo - RotoExperts
Jeremy Schilling - RotoWire

Best Humor Article
Andy Behrens - Yahoo!
Matt Lutovsky - The Sporting News
Alessandro Miglio - Pro Football Focus

Newcomer of the Year
Denny Carter - The Fake Football
Kyle Soppe - Sports Grumblings
Scott Spratt - Pro Football Focus