2025 TIME Athlete of the Year Odds: Who’s Leading the Race?
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Frank Ammirante
- August 12, 2025
TIME Magazine’s Athlete of the Year award celebrates the most impactful figure in sports, someone whose influence extends far beyond the game. With 2025 betting odds now posted at BetOnline, fans and bettors alike are speculating on which star will earn this prestigious title. From record-breaking seasons to cultural influence, the field is wide open. The official winner will be announced in December 2025, with BetOnline betting odds available through August 31.
What the Odds Say
Here at Bookmakers Review, we’ve gathered the odds courtesy of BetOnline:
- Shohei Ohtani (+200)
- Josh Allen (+250)
- Max Verstappen (+300)
- Caitlin Clark (+300)
- Juan Soto (+500)
- Patrick Mahomes (+600)
- Travis Kelce (+1000)
- Lionel Messi (+1000)
- Luke Littler (+1200)
- Scottie Scheffler (+1200)
Shohei Ohtani leads the field as a +200 favorite, thanks to his unprecedented two-way dominance in Major League Baseball and cultural impact as a global sports icon.
Close behind is Josh Allen, who is coming off an MVP win, featuring electric performances and a growing off-field presence that has made him one of the NFL’s most marketable stars.
Max Verstappen and Caitlin Clark follow at +300, both riding waves of momentum. Verstappen continues to dominate Formula 1, while Clark is a transformative force in women’s basketball.
To place a wager on this event, visit BetOnline and navigate to Sports | Entertainment | Time Person of the Year.
Who’s Leading the Race for TIME Athlete of the Year?
When you consider what Ohtani has done over the last year, it’s easy to see why he’s the frontrunner for TIME Athlete of the Year.
The Dodgers’ dual-threat star followed up a historic season where he hit 50+ home runs and stole 50+ bases and won a World Series by returning to the mound this year. Ohtani didn’t win the award in the last five years, so he feels due for a win here.
Allen makes sense as the next candidate after he won his first MVP award, but after the Bills fell short in the playoffs once again, it’s tough to see him as the selection over Ohtani. With that said, we haven’t seen an NFL player win this award in a while, so it may be time for Allen.
Max Verstappen and Caitlin Clark remain strong contenders, with each rewriting the narrative in their respective sports. Verstappen’s Formula 1 dominance has helped grow the sport in the United States, while Clark’s rise as a record-setting force in women’s basketball has shifted how the sport is viewed across generations.
However, Clark just won this award in 2024, making it unlikely that she’ll win back-to-back. With that in mind, Verstappen looks like the top choice for value among the favorites, featuring a +300 price.
Previous TIME Athlete of the Year Winners
Here is a look at previous winners of Time Person of the Year:
- 2024: Caitlin Clark
- 2023: Lionel Messi
- 2022: Aaron Judge
- 2021: Simone Biles
- 2020: LeBron James
- 2019: US Women’s Soccer Team
Our Pick for TIME Athlete of the Year
Our pick for 2025 TIME Athlete of the Year is Ohtani. This is a generational talent who has gotten back to dominating as a pitcher for the first time since 2023.
With Athlete of the Year only being awarded since 2019, we haven’t seen Ohtani take home this honor throughout his career.
Given these circumstances, Ohtani looks like the TIME Athlete of the Year best bet, even at +200 odds.
