Sportsperson of the Year Winners
2023
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MjAyNTYzNDcyMjUxMTY3NzU2/si121923_cov-1.jpg)
Jeffery A. Salter/Sports Illustrated
Deion Sanders
2022
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTk0MjUyNzQ5OTkzNDIwMjkz/si121322_cover.jpg)
Kohjiro Kinno/Sports Illustrated
Stephen Curry
2021
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTg1ODE0NjQ2NzkwMzAxMDc2/si121521_cvr.jpg)
Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated
Tom Brady
2020
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTg1MjMyMTgyMTE2MTY0ODg5/cov121520osaka.jpg)
Illustration by Alexis Franklin
Naomi Osaka
2020
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTg1MjExMDE0MzY5NzgxMDE3/cov121520.jpg)
Illustration by Alexis Franklin
LeBron James
2020
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTg1MjMyMTgyMTE2MjMwNDI1/cov121520mahomes.jpg)
Illustration by Alexis Franklin
Patrick Mahomes
2020
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTg1MjMyMTgyMTE2MDk5NDE3/cov121520stewart.jpg)
Illustration by Alexis Franklin
Breanna Stewart
2020
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTg1MjMyMTgyMTE2MDk5MzUz/cov121520ldt.jpg)
Illustration by Alexis Franklin
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif
2019
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTg1MjMyMTgyMzg0NTM0ODcz/spi191216_cov.jpg)
Jeffery A. Salter/Sports Illustrated
Megan Rapinoe
2018
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDgyMjUzNjk2/2018-warriors-sportspersonjpg.jpg)
Illustration by Mark Hammermeister
Golden State Warriors
2017
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDgzNjk1NDg4/50covv15_promojpeg.jpg)
Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated
José Altuve and J.J. Watt
2016
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODEwMDE3MTUy/2016-1219-sportsperson-of-the-year-lebron-james-si648_tk1_00002jpg.jpg)
Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated
LeBron James
2015
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODEyMTc5ODQw/2015-sportsperson-serena-williamsjpg.jpg)
Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated
Serena Williams
2014
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzU2MzkwNzg0/2014-sportsman-madison-bumgarnerjpg.jpg)
Robert Beck/Sports Illustrated
Madison Bumgarner
2013
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODA5NDkyODY0/2013-sportsman-peyton-manning-op5z-34731jpg.jpg)
John W. McDonough/Sports Illustrated
Peyton Manning
2012
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODEzNjg3MTY4/2012-sportsman-lebron-james-op44-56723finaljpg.jpg)
Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated
LeBron James
2011
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzUwOTUxMjk2/2011-sportspersons-pat-summitt-mike-krzyzewski-079005561jpg.jpg)
Simon Bruty/Sports Illustrated
Pat Summitt and Mike Krzyzewski
2010
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODA4NjQwODk2/2010-sportsman-drew-brees-077641262jpg.jpg)
Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated
Drew Brees
2009
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDc3Nzk3MjQ4/2009.jpg)
Gregory Heisler/Sports Illustrated
Derek Jeter
2008
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDgzNzYxMDI0/2008.jpg)
Heinz Kluetmeier/Sports Illustrated
Michael Phelps
2007
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODEyNTczMDU2/2007.jpg)
Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated
Brett Favre
2006
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDgzNjI5OTUy/2006.jpg)
Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated
Dwyane Wade
2005
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDc5ODI4ODY0/2005.jpg)
Lynn Johnson/Sports Illustrated
Tom Brady
2004
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzQ1NTExODA4/2004.jpg)
Photomosaic by Robert Silvers
Boston Red Sox
2003
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzUzMzEwNTky/2003.jpg)
Michael O'Neill/Sports Illustrated
Tim Duncan and David Robinson
2002
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDc4OTc2ODk2/2002.jpg)
Jonas Karlsson/Sports Illustrated
Lance Armstrong
2001
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDgyODQzNTIw/2001-randy-johnson-curt-schilling-001243658final_0jpg.jpg)
Brian Lanker/Sports Illustrated
Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson
2000
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzU1OTk3NTY4/2000.jpg)
Gerard Rancinan/Sports Illustrated
Tiger Woods
1999
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODE1MjYwMDMy/1999.jpg)
Mark Abrahams/Sports Illustrated
U.S. Women’s Soccer Team
1998
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzU0OTQ4OTky/1998.jpg)
Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated
Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa
1997
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODEwMDgyNjg4/1997.jpg)
Brian Lanker/Sports Illustrated
Dean Smith
1996
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzQ5NTc1MDQw/1996-1223-tiger-woods-006274197_0jpg.jpg)
Illustration by Lauren Uram
Tiger Woods
1995
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDc3OTI4MzIw/1995-1115-cal-ripken-jr-006274145_1jpg.jpg)
Michael O'Neill/Sports Illustrated (left); Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated
Cal Ripken Jr.
1994
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODEyMTE0MzA0/1994.jpg)
Michael O'Neill/Sports Illustrated
Bonnie Blair and Johann Olav Koss
1993
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDc3MjcyOTYw/1993.jpg)
Illustration by Mark Summers
Don Shula
1992
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzQ2MjMyNzA0/1992.jpg)
Michael O'Neill/Sports Illustrated
Arthur Ashe
1991
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDgxODYwNDgw/1991.jpg)
Hologram by Sharon McCormack
Michael Jordan
1990
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDgwOTQyOTc2/1990.jpg)
Peter Read Miller/Sports Illustrated
Joe Montana
1989
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODA5NTU4NDAw/1989.jpg)
Brian Lanker/Sports Illustrated
Greg LeMond
1988
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDgxOTI2MDE2/1988.jpg)
Illustration by Pier Consagra
Orel Hershiser
1987
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODEzNDkwNTYw/1987-1221-athletes-who-care-001253779_0jpg.jpg)
Illustration by Richard Hess
Rory Sparrow, Patty Sheehan, Reggie Williams, Chip Rives, Bob Bourne, Judi Brown King, Dale Murphy and Kip Keino
1986
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzQ4Mzk1Mzky/1986.jpg)
Ronald C. Modra/Sports Illustrated
Joe Paterno
1985
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODE1OTE1Mzky/1985.jpg)
Illustration by Larry Rivers
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
1984
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDc3NjAwNjQw/1984.jpg)
Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated
Mary Lou Retton and Edwin Moses
1983
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODA5Mjk2MjU2/1983.jpg)
Brian Lanker/Sports Illustrated
Mary Decker
1982
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODEyNTA3NTIw/1982.jpg)
Brian Lanker/Sports Illustrated
Wayne Gretzky
1981
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODEyNzY5NjY0/1981.jpg)
Manny Millan/Sports Illustrated
Sugar Ray Leonard
1980
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODEzMzU5NDg4/1980.jpg)
Heinz Kluetmeier/Sports Illustrated
U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
1979
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzUxODAzMjY0/1979.jpg)
Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated
Willie Stargell and Terry Bradshaw
1978
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzQ3ODcxMTA0/1978.jpg)
Lane Stewart/Sports Illustrated
Jack Nicklaus
1977
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDgwMjg3NjE2/1977.jpg)
Anthony Edgeworth/Sports Illustrated
Steve Cauthen
1976
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDg0MjE5Nzc2/1976.jpg)
Graham Finlayson/Sports Illustrated
Chris Evert
1975
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzQ4MDAyMTc2/1975-1222-29-pete-rose-si-cover-001253767_0jpg.jpg)
Lane Stewart/Sports Illustrated
Pete Rose
1974
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyNTQzMjg1NjMy/1974.jpg)
Neil Leifer/Sports Illustrated
Muhammad Ali
1973
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODE1NDU2NjQw/1973.jpg)
Tony Triolo/Sports Illustrated
Jackie Stewart
1972
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODE1OTgwOTI4/1972.jpg)
Stephen Green-Armytage/Sports Illustrated
John Wooden and Billie Jean King
1971
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzUzMDQ4NDQ4/1971.jpg)
Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated
Lee Trevino
1970
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzUxMjc4OTc2/1970.jpg)
Tony Triolo/Sports Illustrated
Bobby Orr
1969
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzNjEzOTQ3MjY0/1969.jpg)
James Drake/Sports Illustrated
Tom Seaver
1968
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDg0MzUwODQ4/1968.jpg)
James Drake/Sports Illustrated
Bill Russell
1967
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDc3MDc2MzUy/1967-carl-yastrzemski-006272686_0jpg.jpg)
Fred Kaplan/Sports Illustrated
Carl Yastrzemski
1966
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDgzMzAyMjcy/1966.jpg)
Rich Clarkson/Sports Illustrated
Jim Ryun
1965
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzUzNDQxNjY0/1965.jpg)
Robert Huntzinger/Sports Illustrated
Sandy Koufax
1964
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzQ1NzczOTUy/1964.jpg)
Jay Maisel/Sports Illustrated (left); Walter Iooss Jr./Sports Illustrated (right)
Ken Venturi
1963
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzU1NjY5ODg4/1963.jpg)
Ben Rose/Sports Illustrated
Pete Rozelle
1962
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDc5OTU5OTM2/1962.jpg)
Neal Barr/Sports Illustrated
Terry Baker
1961
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzU1Mjc2Njcy/1961.jpg)
Illustration by Robert Weaver
Jerry Lucas
1960
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMDgyNzEyNDQ4/1960.jpg)
Illustration by Thomas B. Allen
Arnold Palmer
1959
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzQ3Njc0NDk2/1959.jpg)
John G. Zimmerman/Sports Illustrated
Ingemar Johansson
1958
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODE0OTk3ODg4/1958.jpg)
John G. Zimmerman/Sports Illustrated
Rafer Johnson
1957
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzNjE0NDcxNTUy/1957.jpg)
John G. Zimmerman/Sports Illustrated (Musial)
Stan Musial
1956
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIyODE1NzE4Nzg0/1956.jpg)
Phil Bath/Sports Illustrated
Bobby Morrow
1955
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzUwMTY0ODY0/1955.jpg)
Richard Meek/Sports Illustrated
Johnny Podres
1954
![](https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ch_800%2Cw_1200/MTY4MDI4OTIzMzU0MDMxNDg4/1954.jpg)
Mark Kauffman/Sports Illustrated
Roger Bannister