Wynn Las Vegas Scores 2nd Sports Illustrated ‘Sportsperson of the Year’ Awards
Posted on: December 18, 2025, 05:02h.
Last updated on: December 18, 2025, 05:02h.
Sports Illustrated (SI) will stage its annual “Sportsperson of the Year” awards in Las Vegas on January 6, 2026. This marks a return to the Wynn, under whose chandeliers the franchise first planted its Vegas flag in 2023. Unfortunately, tickets are not available to the public for this private event.
Doubling Down
Every year since 1954, SI has named a “Sportsperson of the Year,” spotlighting an athlete or team “that best represents, in character and performance, the ideals of excellence and sportsmanship,” according to the magazine’s announcement.
From 1954 through 1986, the award existed only in print — a glossy cover story and feature profile. That changed in 1987, when SI added its first public banquet in New York City. In the decades that followed, the gala bounced between New York and LA.
The Vegas era began in 2023, when Coach Deion Sanders accepted the titular trophy at the Wynn. The following year, the awards shifted back to LA, where MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani was honored. Now, SI is doubling down on Las Vegas, positioning both Vegas and the Wynn as a recurring stage for its flagship celebration.
“Through the decades, SI’s ‘Sportsperson of the Year’ franchise has evolved from a singular moment in a magazine into a multifaceted celebration of the best of the year in sports,” said SI editor‑in‑chief Steve Cannella. “We’re excited to grow this event in Las Vegas and can’t wait.”
Who Will Be Honored?
Beyond the headline award, SI also confers ancillary honors each year, announced in advance. This year, they are:
- Muhammad Ali Legacy Award: Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, will receive this for “his tireless efforts over the last decade to raise awareness of mental health issues and treatment advocacy.” Phelps previously earned “Sportsperson of the Year” in 2008 after his record‑breaking eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics.
- Breakout Star of the Year: Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh, a first‑time 2025 All‑Star, will be honored for “unexpectedly dominating the sports conversation” by blasting 60 home runs in the regular season and five more in the postseason.
- Innovators of the Year: WNBA superstars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier will be celebrated for co‑founding Unrivaled, the groundbreaking 3×3 women’s basketball league launched in 2025. “This year represents meaningful change that will impact generations of basketball players and fans to come, and I’m honored Sports Illustrated is recognizing this work,” Stewart said.
Previous “Sportsperson of the Year” honorees include Muhammad Ali, Serena Williams, LeBron James, Tom Brady, Simone Biles, Stephen Curry, Billie Jean King, Arthur Ashe, Derek Jeter, and Megan Rapinoe.
Attendance at the 2026 ceremony will be limited to honorees, their guests, SI staff, sponsors, and select media.
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