LeBron James has been named the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year for the second time in his career.
LeBron James is named Sports Illustrated’s 2016 ‘Sportsperson of the Year’
James previously earned the honor in 2010. He is one of two athletes to be named twice.
Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images
Since the origin of the award in 1954, James is just the second person to be named Sportsperson of the Year twice after previously earning the honor in 2010. Tiger Woods, who was named Sportsperson of the Year in both 1996 and 2000, is the only other athlete to twice be given the title.
Chris Stone, Editor-In-Chief of Sports Illustrated, explained why James was honored over athletes like Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, Katie Ledecky, Simone Biles, and Jimmie Johnson.
“In putting the Cavaliers on his back in the NBA Finals he also fulfilled a promise to his home city and to an entire region,” wrote Stone. “He was following through on that heartfelt, but risky, vow he made three summers ago when he returned home after four successful years in Miami.”
Stone is referencing James’ 2014 article for Sports Illustrated, “I’m Coming Home.” In the piece, James mentioned that his main goal was “bringing one trophy back to Northeast Ohio.” Though LeBron’s victorious NBA Finals performance, including 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 9 assists per game, was enough to earn him the Finals MVP award, Stone says it was the city of Cleveland that served as the deciding factor in his being named Sportsperson of the Year.
“Cleveland is a big part of the story and a big part of this choice,” said Stone according to cleveland.com. “Had LeBron won anywhere else, in any other city, I’m fairly certain we’d be talking about the Chicago Cubs right now.”
The Cavaliers’ 2016 NBA title was the first time a Cleveland professional sports team won a championship in 52 years. Without LeBron James, the 2016 Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year, that drought would still weigh heavily over Northeast Ohio.
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