2021 Sportsperson of the Year to Be Revealed Live Dec. 7 on SI Awards Show


A number of notable figures from the sports world are set to make an appearance, including Candace Parker, LaMelo Ball, Rob Gronkowski, Caeleb Dressel and Suni Lee.

Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of the Year will be revealed during the annual Sports Illustrated Awards Show which will be held in Hollywood, Fla. on Dec. 7. 

The event will be co-hosted by DJ Khaled and sportscaster and TV host Cari Champion, with musical performances by 2 Chainz and DJ Irie. The SI Awards Show is sponsored by Pepsi Stronger Together.

Since its inception in 1954, the Sportsperson of the Year is annually given to the athlete, coach or team whose performance that year most embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement. For the first time, the Sportsperson of the Year will be revealed live, presented by FTX, during the broadcast.

A number of notable figures from the sports world are set to make an appearance, including Candace Parker, LaMelo Ball, Rob Gronkowski, Caeleb Dressel and Suni Lee. 

In addition to awarding the Sportsperson of the Year, the following honors will also be announced: 

  • The Muhammad Ali Legacy Award
  • Sportskid of The Year
  • Female/Male Athlete of the Year, Presented by the U.S. Polo Association
  • Breakthrough Athlete of the Year, Presented by Emsculpt Neo
  • Hometown Hero, Presented by Pepsi Stronger Together
  • Team of the Year, Presented by Vitacost
  • Play of the Year, Presented by Alkaline88
  • Best Dressed, Presented by JCPenney
  • Gamer of the Year, Presented by Arcade1Up

The award show will be broadcast free starting at 8 p.m. ET across SI's social media channels. It will also be simulcast by LiveXLive across at least 20 other platforms, including SportsIllustratedAwards.com, LiveXLive, YouTube, Twitch, TikTok and Twitter.

“We’re so excited to be back in person for The SI Awards at its new home at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino,” said Marc Rosen, President, ABG Entertainment. “We are looking forward to celebrating a memorable year in sports and honoring the best athletes, teams and moments that defined 2021.”

Last year's Sportsperson of the Year went to five men and women who in 2020 were champions in every sense of the word: champions on the field, champions for others off it. 

The recipients were Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, U.S. Open tennis champion Naomi Osaka, four-time NBA Finals MVP LeBron James, WNBA champion Breanna Stewart and former Chiefs lineman Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who left the NFL to join the front lines of the battle against COVID-19.

The event will be held at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov.  19 at 10 a.m. ET. For more information, please visit SportsIllustratedAwards.com.