Rory McIlroy, the well-regarded American golf fans by urging them to “keep quiet,” could be a strong contender for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. His achievements in completing the career Grand Slam and leading Team Europe to victory in the Ryder Cup on foreign soil further bolster his candidacy.
Expressing his thoughts on the upcoming award ceremony, the Masters champion remarked that if he doesn’t win this time, he may never win it. While McIlroy acknowledges his chances are slim for this year’s accolade, he remains optimistic about attending the event, providing early publicity by confirming his participation, despite the event’s unconfirmed date (expected on Tuesday, December 16).
Although McIlroy has a history with the BBC award, including previously skipping the ceremony, he has now committed to attending. He has shared his perspective on the award’s significance, portraying it as more of a popularity contest than a recognition of sporting excellence.
While McIlroy’s charismatic personality, eloquence, and exceptional golfing abilities have garnered him a significant following, his chances of winning the Sports Personality of the Year award might be hindered by factors such as the shift of golf coverage to subscription television and the sport’s perceived elitism compared to more widely accessible sports like football and athletics.
Despite the challenges McIlroy may face in winning the award, his presence at the event could provide golf with a broader platform. In the meantime, Sky has introduced a discounted Essential TV and Sky Sports package for the upcoming season, offering a multitude of live matches, including a notable increase in the number of live Premier League games to be broadcast.
The upcoming Sports Personality of the Year award ceremony promises to be an intriguing event, with various contenders vying for recognition across different sporting disciplines.