Miguel Delaney, Donald McRae, Lily Canter and David Walsh among those still in contention for the prestigious award this year; along with the “Bookie Prize” trophy, there is also a £30,000 prize for the winner…
Former England cricketer Sir James Anderson is among seven shortlisted nominees for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2025.
Anderson’s autobiography, Finding the Edge, written with podcast co-host and The Maccabees guitarist Felix White, has been shortlisted alongside two-time former winner and boxing journalist Donald McRae, author of The Last Bell: Life, Death and Boxing.
Scottish ex-pro road cyclist Pippa York is also shortlisted with The Escape: The Tour, The Cyclist and Me, co-written by Sunday Times chief sports writer David Walsh.
Fellow sports journalists Tim Wigmore (Daily Telegraph) and Miguel Delaney (The Independent), plus author and journalist James Montague and endurance athletes Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson complete the shortlist for the 37th awards.
This year’s winner will be crowned at a central London ceremony on Tuesday, 25th November, where they will also claim a £30,000 prize and the coveted William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award trophy.
Shortlisted authors will receive a leather-bound copy of their book along with £3,000 each.
The 2025 judging panel will be chaired by Alyson Rudd, with Clarke Carlisle, Elis James, Gabby Logan, Mark Lawson, Dame Heather Rabbatts and Michelle Walder making up the rest of the panel.
A year’s worth of sports books narrowed down to seven…
— William Hill Sports Book Of The Year (@BookiePrize) October 30, 2025
Your 2025 William Hill Sports Book of the Year shortlist is here! pic.twitter.com/nWfRF3LZjR
Alyson Rudd, chair of the judging panel, said: “This is a heavyweight shortlist where the dominant theme is power and the influence of the state over sport.
“Cricket is well represented, and all the books are exceptionally written. There is also a strong element of soul-searching.
“It is not enough to bring sport to life; these books seek to understand how and why. They do the hard work for the reader and then present us with bold and gripping narratives.
“It will be quite the task for the judging panel to decide upon a winner.”
2025 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award shortlist…
- Finding the Edge by Sir James Anderson
- Ultra Women by Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson
- States of Play by Miguel Delaney
- The Last Bell by Donald McRae
- Engulfed by James Montague
- Test Cricket by Tim Wigmore
- The Escape by Pippa York and David Walsh
The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award is the longest-established and most valuable literary sports-writing prize in the world.
First awarded in 1989, it aims to reward excellence in sports writing and provide recognition to authors who bring the world of sport to life through their work.
McRae will be looking to win the award for a record-equalling third time, having previously been victorious in 1996 and 2002 for Dark Trade: Lost in Boxing and In Black and White: The Untold Story of Joe Louis and Jesse Owens respectively.
Duncan Hamilton holds the current record for the most award wins with three.
For more information about the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, please visit the website.
The SJA is interested in your sports media industry news and views. Keen to reach an engaged audience, including over 70,000 followers across social media? We welcome your enquiries – contact us here. We also offer advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
For information on how to apply as a Full or Associate Member of the SJA, plus details of our free-to-enter SJA Academy, click here.