Wagering on Time Magazine’s 2025 Athlete of the Year

Every December, Time Magazine names their Athlete of the Year, an honor given to the individual who most influenced the world of sports over the previous 12 months. As 2025 approaches, speculation is already heating up over who will take home the coveted title this time around. For those who enjoy betting on sports and pop culture, the Time Magazine Athlete of the Year provides a fun wagering opportunity. Here is an overview of some of the likely contenders and best bets for 2025.

The Frontrunners

Caitlin Clark

After her history-making 2024 that saw her set NCAA scoring records, spark a WNBA renaissance, and become an endorsement icon, Caitlin Clark was named the Time Magazine 2024 Athlete of the Year. Could Caitlin Clark do it all again? It is indeed possible as she enters 2025 as the frontrunner. However, there are arguments that she may have peaked too soon. 2025 is not an Olympic year, so Clark will need to lift her game even higher to have a shot at going back-to-back. For now, she’s the favorite, but not by much.

Lionel Messi

The 2023 winner of Time Magazine’s Athlete of the Year, Lionel Messi revolutionized American soccer when he joined Inter Miami in MLS. His dazzling play led the expansion club to a championship and his overall impact cannot be overstated. Now 36, Messi’s age works against him. But if he can will Argentina to a repeat World Cup title in 2026 or have another monster season with Inter Miami, he could become the first two-time Time AOY since Tiger Woods.

LeBron James

At age 38, LeBron James continues to defy Father Time. He silenced the critics last season by willing the Lakers to the playoffs and winning his 5th MVP award. Assuming he stays healthy, James will be highly motivated to tie Michael Jordan’s 6 NBA titles in 2025. Voters love a narrative, and James chasing history yet again might be too tempting to pass up.

Long Shots Worth a Flier

Naomi Osaka

After taking time off for her mental health, Naomi Osaka returned with a triumphant 2024 season that included an Australian Open title and ascent back to #1. Still just 25 years old, Osaka has the complete package of athletic achievement, off-court impact, and star power that Time looks for. A small wager goes a long way if she builds on 2024.

Candace Parker

At 36 years old, Candace Parker became the oldest WNBA MVP in history last season while leading the Chicago Sky to another championship. She also made history as the first female basketball player on the cover of NBA 2K. With her career arc mirroring LeBron’s, could Parker be next to win both titles? She’s a dark horse, however.

Caroline Dubois

This 19-year-old British boxer claimed gold at the 2024 Olympics and is poised to become the next face of women’s boxing. She’s charismatic, outspoken, and dominating the competition. If she lives up to expectations and becomes a crossover star in 2025, she’ll receive strong consideration. Currently she’s worth a flier.

Best Bets

When wagering on Athlete of the Year, the safest bets are often in Olympic sports during Olympic years. But 2025 is the year before the 2026 Winter Olympics, which provides more uncertainty. The Time AOY also tends to go to Americans or athletes competing in the U.S. With that in mind, Caitlin Clark remains the smartest wager. Coming off a rookie season where she transcended her sport, the hype will be enormous entering year two. She’s poised to dominate again, with a chance of leading Indiana to a championship in a league gaining momentum. This perfect storm makes Clark the safest and most likely bet for Time’s 2025 Athlete of the Year.

Digging Deeper on Other Contenders

While Caitlin Clark is the frontrunner, there are some other intriguing names in the mix that could pull off an upset. Here are a few more contenders to keep an eye on:

• Katie Ledecky: The swimmer is always a threat in Olympic years, but she could still make noise by breaking more world records in 2025.
• Mick Cronin: If the UCLA basketball coach leads the Bruins to an NCAA championship in 2025, he’ll ride the ensuing hype onto the shortlist.
• Mac Jones: The Patriots QB– winning football’s top honor would raise his profile.
• Eileen Gu: Already a superstar in China, Gu fell short of expectations at the 2024 Winter Games. If she dominates skiing in 2025, she’ll be a force.
• Paul George: He could win MVP next season. If he achieves that and leads the Clippers on a playoff run, he’ll be in the mix.
• Nathan Chen: The figure skating icon is still only 24 years old. Don’t count him out for 2026 Olympic gold and a subsequent AOY bid.

Controversial Athletes Who Never Won Athlete of the Year

While being named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year or Time’s Athlete of the Year represents the pinnacle for many athletes, several controversial sports figures missed out on these honors despite their notoriety. Mike Tyson was one of the most feared boxers ever with his intimidating presence, yet personal troubles and a rape conviction kept him from receiving these prestigious awards. Tonya Harding’s infamous attack on rival Nancy Kerrigan overshadowed her talent, staining her image and keeping her from contention. Lance Armstrong won Athlete of the Year but was later stripped of the honor when his doping came to light. Antonio Brown’s scandals derailed a potential path to be recognized. And O.J. Simpson’s post-retirement infamy supersedes any chance at posthumous accolades. While their controversial actions etched their names in history, they never earned the ultimate individual athletic achievements that come with being named Sportsman or Athlete of the Year.

So, while Caitlin Clark is the obvious choice for 2025 Athlete of the Year, she’s far from the only option. Savvy bettors will consider the full slate of contenders before placing their wagers. But when in doubt, Clark remains the safest play.