2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Nominees Announced
A shortlist of six nominees has been revealed for the 2025 BBC Sports Personality of the Year award, sparking disappointment among some fans that Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay did not make the list.
The nominees include England footballers Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly, rugby union player Ellie Kildunne, darts player Luke Littler, golfer Rory McIlroy, and Formula 1 driver Lando Norris.
Voting will occur during the live show on Thursday, December 18, hosted by Gabby Logan, Alex Scott, and Clare Balding from MediaCityUK in Salford.
'A Point of Contention for Scottish Fans'
Journalist Henry Winter expressed his surprise on social media regarding McTominay's omission from the shortlist. He stated, "Scott McTominay a surprise omission from SPOTY shortlist? He won the Scudetto, was voted Serie A Player of the Year, nominated for the Ballon d'Or, helped Scotland qualify for the World Cup, and scored a spectacular goal against Denmark that is surely a Puskas Award contender. An amazing year."
Scottish Daily Express editor Ben Borland added, "Can any of the nominees really claim to have had a better year than McTominay? The inclusion of two members from the Lionesses team, while heroic and inspiring, will be particularly contentious for Scottish football fans and indeed football supporters worldwide."
The shortlist is determined based on sporting merit and selected by a panel of experts representing a wide range of sports. A BBC spokesperson commented, "A diverse array of contenders was reviewed and debated by an industry expert panel, which reached a consensus on the final shortlist."
What Made This Year Memorable for McTominay?
McTominay has excelled since joining Napoli in the summer of 2024 from Manchester United. He played a pivotal role in helping the Italian club secure the Serie A title in May 2025, scoring 13 goals in 36 appearances, including a stunning scissor kick against Cagliari on the final day of the season that propelled Napoli to victory.
He was named Serie A Player of the Year and recognized among the top 20 players worldwide in the Ballon d'Or nominations. This recent success marked only the fourth Serie A title in Napoli's history, with McTominay becoming a central figure in manager Antonio Conte's revolution.
Currently, Napoli is tied for the top position in Serie A, with McTominay contributing five goals in 20 appearances this season.
A Stunning Goal and World Cup Qualification for Scotland
The 29-year-old has also shone on the international stage, scoring the opening goal with an impressive overhead kick in Scotland's 4-2 victory over Denmark, which secured their spot in next summer's World Cup—Scotland's first since 1998.
At that time, Scotland's manager Steve Clarke described McTominay's goal as "the best overhead kick I’ve ever seen." Since the beginning of 2023, McTominay has been involved in 15 goals for Scotland, outpacing all his teammates with six more contributions than any of them.
Other awards to be presented during the SPOTY night include Young Sports Personality of the Year, Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and the Helen Rollason Award. Additionally, the World Sport Star award, for which voting is currently open, will also be announced.