The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, has announced its judges for this year’s competition with award-winning comedian Elis James confirmed to return to the panel.

The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award was established in 1989 and recognises outstanding writing across a wide range of genres within the sporting world and has earnt its reputation as one of the most esteemed literary honours, celebrating sports writers worldwide. James joins chair of the panel Alyson Rudd, as well as fellow panellists Gabby Logan, Dame Heather Rabbatts, Michelle Walder, Mark Lawson and Clarke Carlisle, who all return from last year’s panel and will select the William Hill Sports Book of the Year shortlist and ultimately crown the Award’s 37th winner. 

Comedian, presenter, and passionate sports podcaster Elis James returns to the judging panel after a brief one-year break. Known for his sharp wit and deep love of sport, Elis brings a fresh and relatable perspective from the viewpoint of a true fan. As the host of Elis James’ Feast of Football on the BBC and a regular contributor to shows like The Guardian’s Football Weekly, he’s well-versed in analysing sport with insight, humour and heart.

Returning to the panel for a second consecutive year, former gymnast and acclaimed television and radio presenter Gabby Logan brings a wealth of sports knowledge and media experience. Known for fronting major sporting events including the Olympics, the World Cup, the Euros and BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year, Gabby offers a unique athlete’s perspective. Her 2022 memoir The First Half adds an author’s insight to her already impressive credentials.

Award-winning sports journalist at The Times, Alyson Rudd returns as Chair of the panel for a remarkable seventh year. A published author of both sports books and novels, Alyson is also a qualified football coach and referee. With her deep understanding of both the sporting world and written word, she’s ideally placed to lead the judging panel in its search for this year’s standout sports book. 

Dame Heather Rabbatts returns for her third year as a judge, bringing with her a powerful legacy of leadership and reform in sport. As the first woman to serve as a Director of the Football Association, she’s played a pivotal role in shaping the industry. Her strategic vision and experience continue to be an invaluable asset to the panel.

Now in her fourth year as a judge, Michelle Walder brings both business acumen and sports governance experience to the panel. A non-executive board member at Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Chair of their Women’s team, Michelle also runs a leadership and coaching business. Her broad perspective and decision-making expertise are key in helping identify this year’s winner.

Veteran broadcaster, journalist, and writer Mark Lawson returns to the panel with his trademark depth of literary and cultural insight. As a theatre critic for The Tablet and a feature writer for The Guardian, Mark’s passion for storytelling enhances the panel’s ability to assess not just the sporting substance but the narrative craft of each entry. Author of six books, Mark has long held judging this Award as a personal ambition.

Rounding out this year’s panel is former professional footballer turned broadcaster Clarke Carlisle. With a playing career spanning nearly two decades across all four divisions, Clarke brings a deep, first-hand understanding of the game. Since transitioning into broadcasting, he’s become a regular pundit and co-commentator. First joining the judging panel in 2012, he briefly stepped back in 2013 to write his autobiography A Footballer’s Life, which was longlisted for the Award in 2014. 

The judges will determine the longlist of titles by 25th September, and then further whittle it down throughout the month into a final shortlist which will be announced on 30th October. The official awards ceremony will take place on 25th November in which the winner will be announced. The author will receive both the coveted William Hill Sports Book of the Year trophy as well as £30,000 in cash, whilst the rest of the shortlisted authors will receive a leather-bound copy of their book along with £3,000 in cash each.

 Lee Phelps, spokesperson for William Hill, said: “We’re excited to reveal that a number of familiar faces will be returning to the judging panel for this year’s William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award - the 37th edition of our esteemed literary prize. Among those rejoining the line-up is broadcaster, comedian, and sports enthusiast Elis James, who will bring his trademark passion and wit to the process after a brief hiatus from the panel.

“We’re equally pleased to welcome back Gabby Logan for her second year on the panel. Her wealth of sports knowledge and broadcasting experience continues to be a huge asset in helping shape this year’s shortlist. Long-standing Chair Alyson Rudd also returns for her seventh consecutive year, bringing her leadership, literary insight and deep understanding of the sporting world to guide the panel through the judging process once again.

“Also back for another year are Dame Heather Rabbatts, Michelle Walder, Mark Lawson, and Clarke Carlisle. With their combined expertise spanning sport, media, business and literature, this experienced panel will work together to review this year’s entries, narrow them down to a compelling shortlist, and ultimately select the winner of this year’s Award.”

Alyson Rudd, Chair of the judging panel, said: “It really is a privilege to chair the judging panel for such a prestigious award and one that I believe has been at the heart of improving the quality of sports writing year on year.

“And what a panel it is; packed with insight, experience and a depth of sporting knowledge allied to a love of literature as well as an unerring ability to argue passionately and persuasively for the books they most admire.” 

Elis James, returning to the judging panel, said: “To have the opportunity to discuss these incredible books with a panel who love sports as much as I do is a real privilege and I’m honoured to be back as a judge again. I was on tour last year so couldn’t commit to the panel for the 2024 Award – I was devastated – but I’m thrilled to be involved in it once more for 2025.

“We’ve got a really interesting panel with people who know a lot more about sport than I do, so I almost feel like an imposter being among such an esteemed group of people.

“The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award really does have the power to change someone’s life. What’s brilliant about it is that if you’re a new writer, or you’re writing about a smaller, less mainstream sport, if it’s good enough we will put it on the shortlist. That will then give that book an enormous amount of impetus and lead to extra sales, which is gold dust for an author.”