Sports Illustrated‘s December 21, 2015 issue names Serena Williams the Sportsperson of the Year.

She is the first solo female athlete to be given this award in 32 years.  Runner Mary Drecker won it in 1983.  In 1999 the U.S. Womens Soccer Team was chosen. Sharing the honour with other athletes happened in 1984 Mary Lou Retton (gymnast)  and in 1994 Bonnie Blair (speed skater).

In the past the award was called the Sportsman or Sportswomen of the Year.

In an On-line Readers Poll by Sports Illustrated the result was different.   Triple Crown winning horse American Pharaoh was chosen as the winner!  No animal has ever won the award.

Managing Editor Chris Stone is quoted as saying the cover shot photo concept was Serena’s idea, intended to express her idea of femininity, strength, and power.