The 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) Awards are still a way off, and we will have to wait until December to find out who the winner is.
In the meantime, we have the latest odds for the award, courtesy of Betfred.
The shortlist for the award has not been announced yet for the award ceremony.
We will have to wait until December before the expert independent panel convenes to decide the shortlist of sportspeople for the award.
When the shortlist is announced late in 2023, there will only be six contenders left, and the winner will be determined on the night by a public telephone and online vote.
When Is SPOTY 2023?
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony will take place on: Sunday, 20th December 2023
SPOTY 2023 ODDS
As the clock ticks down to the much-anticipated BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY) 2023, the betting markets are abuzz with activity, speculations, and shifting odds.
Below you can find the odds (from Betfred) for the leading contenders.
Mary Earps – Evens
Mary Earps showcased her goalkeeping prowess during the 2023 World Cup, where she played a crucial role in England’s journey to the final.
Her remarkable saves and composure under pressure were instrumental in securing vital victories for the team, earning her accolades from fans and pundits alike.
They may not have won the World Cup but reaching the Final was a monumental achievement.
For all of her hard work throughout the tournament, the Manchester United keeper received the Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper of the tournament.
Stuart Broad – 2/1
Broad’s recent outing against Australia has been a testament to his enduring form and skill. His pivotal role in key matches has kept him in the spotlight, reinforcing his candidacy for the SPOTY Award.
Broad’s popularity extends beyond the cricket field. His affable personality, coupled with his sporting prowess, has endeared him to fans across the globe.
The cricketer’s widespread appeal is likely to influence the public vote, a crucial component of the SPOTY Award.
Frankie Dettori – 12/1
Dettori’s career is adorned with signature moments, including his magnificent ‘Magnificent Seven’ at Ascot, which remains etched in the memories of horse racing enthusiasts.
These moments have not only defined his career but have also contributed to his enduring popularity.
His decision to retire from British Racing was cemented when he rode Trawlerman to victory in the Long Distance Cup before completing a double on King of Steel in the Champion Stakes at Ascot on 21 October 2023.
Katarina Johnson-Thompson – 20/1
Katarina Johnson-Thompson’s recent triumph in the heptathlon at the World Championships in Budapest has catapulted her into the global spotlight.
Her stellar performance across the seven events showcased her athletic prowess and solidified her status as one of the world’s premier multi-event athletes.
Ben Stokes – 25/1
Ben Stokes has been the architect of some of the most memorable moments in recent cricketing history.
His heroic innings in the 2019 Cricket World Cup and the Ashes have become the stuff of legends, showcasing his ability to turn the tide in seemingly impossible situations.
Stokes’ engagement with fans, both on and off the field, has contributed to his widespread popularity. His candidness and approachability have endeared him to cricket enthusiasts around the world.
BETTING ON SPOTY
Betfred, the leading brand in sports betting, stands out as a favoured destination for those keen on exploring the odds and placing their bets on the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.
The odds above are taken from the Betfred website on 27/10/2023.
SPOTY Outsiders 2023
The spotlight doesn’t just fall on the favourites but also on the intriguing array of outsiders.
In a year marked by outstanding sporting achievements, the SPOTY outsiders of 2023 add an extra layer of excitement and unpredictability to the prestigious award ceremony.
Rory McIlroy – 50/1
The Northern Irish golfer is no stranger to winning, and despite being part of the triumphant Ryder Cup team in 2023, his odds of bagging the SPOTY look very long?
Can he defy them and make the short list?
Marcus Smith – 66/1
Smith has quickly established himself as a key player for the national team. Part of England’s 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign, Marcus Smith played a key role in getting the team to the semi-finals.
They may not have been able to beat South Africa, but they defied their odds and can hold their heads high.
Jude Bellingham – 66/1
Jude Bellingham’s rapid rise through the ranks of professional football has been nothing short of remarkable.
His ability to adapt, learn, and influence games has seen him become a key player for his club and earn valuable caps for the England national team.
Who Won The SPOTY In 2022?
Beth Mead made history by winning the 2022 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award, becoming the first female footballer to achieve this honour.
Ben Stokes, the winner of the 2019 award and captain of the England Cricket Test team, came in second place, while curler Eve Muirhead finished third.
The BBC Sports Personality of the Year for 2022 was held on December 21st at the dock10 studios in Salford.
The event was co-hosted by Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan, and Alex Scott, and it was broadcast live on BBC One.
The ceremony included a special tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, acknowledging her passion for sports following her passing in September that same year.
Who Won The SPOTY In 2021?
It was tennis player Emma Raducanu who took the award for Sports Personality of the Year in 2021.
The 19-year-old won the hearts of a nation when she became the first British female tennis player to win the US Open since 1977.
Gareth Southgate won the Coach of the Year award after steering the England men’s football team to their first major final in 55 years at Euro 2020 in the summer.
Irish jockey Rachael Blackmore was voted World Sports Star of the Year. That followed her Cheltenham and Grand National achievements, topping off an amazing year.
Skateboarder Sky Brown, 13, won the Young Sports Personality of the Year after she became Britain’s youngest-ever Olympic medallist. She took bronze in the women’s park event.
Four-time Olympic gymnastics champion Simone Biles was also named the Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
Past SPOTY Winners
Beth Mead – 2022
Arguably the greatest female football in British history, Mead captained the England team to win the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
BETFRED OFFER
GET £40 IN BONUSES WHEN YOU STAKE £10
She also won the Golden Boot, and was the Player of the Tournament and top assist provider with 6 goals and 5 assists in 6 matches.
Emma Raducanu – 2021
Blasting her way through three weeks of tennis in New York in 2021, Raducanu became the first British female tennis player since Virginia Wade, to win the US Open since 1977.
Lewis Hamilton – 2020
One of F1’s all-time great drivers, he equalled Michael Schumacher’s record of seven world titles with his fourth consecutive championship in 2020.
He was also knighted in 2021 and finished second in the Formula 1 Drivers Championship in 2021, behind Max Verstappen.
Ben Stokes – 2019
An incredible 2019 for Ben Stokes saw him with the award after being an integral part of England’s Cricket World Cup-winning side and the Ashes squad. Who will ever forget those incredible performances at Lords and Headingley? Watch the moment Ben Stokes was announced as the winner.
Geraint Thomas – 2018
The 2018 Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas rode on a wave of public support to win the award. He was the fourth cyclist since 2008 to win the award after Sir Chris Hoy, Mark Cavendish and Sir Bradley Wiggins.
Mo Farah – 2017
The Olympic hero had been a 50/1 outsider with bookmakers to win the award, with the boxer Anthony Joshua considered the overwhelming favourite. Perhaps an indication that any of the contenders can take home the 2020 award.
Sports Personality History and Trends
Sir Christopher John Chataway was the first winner of the award back in 1954. This came following a Gold Medal in the ‘3 Miles’ event at the 1954 Commonwealth Games.
Bobby Moore was the first footballer to win the award in 1966; being an integral part of the first and only England football team to win a major honour clearly helped his chances.
England will be one of the favourites to win the 2022 World Cup, so several players could fancy their chances of winning the 2022 award.
Andy Murray currently has the most award wins with three. He won it last in 2016 when he won an Olympic Gold Medal alongside the Wimbledon title.
Since its inception, 18 SPOTY winners have come from the Athletics world, and only five winners have been footballers.
There has also been an obvious shortage of female recipients of the award, but that changed in 2021 when Emma Raducanu picked up the award, with Beth Mead following her in 2022.
Looking through the list of winners, there seem to be specific visible trends. Being part of a successful team or event can undoubtedly increase your chances.
Bradley Wiggins took home the 2012 award, but that could have gone to any of Team GB’s heroes from the 2012 Olympics.
Andrew Flintoff won in 2005 after playing an important role in England regaining the Ashes.
Tips for Sports Personality of the Year
Wait until much closer to the ceremony to pick a sports personality to back.
The outcome from the remaining sports events in 2023, including the Rugby World Cup will have a lot to do with who gets short-listed.
Other Awards
The BBC Sports Team of the Year Award is also presented on the night. The current holders are the England National football team. Unlike the main award, it’s not decided by public vote.
With many sporting competitions set to be decided over the next few months, there is plenty of time for contenders to emerge.
Head to Betfred for all the latest odds on the 2023 Sports Personality of the Year.
