Sports Personality 2020

[ramAnag]

In its 66th year the six contenders are...Stuart Broad, Hollie Doyle, Tyson Fury, Lewis Hamilton, Jordan Henderson and Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Between Broad and Hamilton for me. Quite surprised Marcus Rashford didn’t make it.
Thoughts?

[AdiSalisbury]

If it's personality, I'd say Broad, he comes across as a really nice bloke, though did have a paddy at being dropped!

[ramAnag]

If it's personality, I'd say Broad, he comes across as a really nice bloke, though did have a paddy at being dropped!

A very productive one though, Adi. Wish some of Derby’s players would come back with such determination after being dropped.

[AdiSalisbury]

Agree... there's 5 of them dropped tonight following Saturday's 7, so we'll soon find out!

[Geoff Parkstone]

Never heard of Hollie Doyle, Rashford I suspect didnt count as he became a personality not through his sporting endeavours. Hamilton, first rate achievements, but please God not again. Not sure what O'Sullivan has done but dont watch snooker really. Fury, perhaps, Broad maybe and thank gor andy murray has not been included. But in a year where BLM is to the fore, then I guess the bloke who drives he best car round in circles will win

I thought they usually named 12?

[Andy_Faber]

The current pre-selection is all about BBC being able to pre-market the event, IMO its No longer a proper poll. Massive pro-Rob Burrow sentiment on social media which will now count for nothing. BBC will now doubt ride the wave of sympathy with a 15 minute segment on him but he deserves to be given a punt at the big prize.

[ramAnag]

Rob Burrow deserves enormous support and recognition for his bravery. Probably get an award in the same way as I think Doddie Weir did...and rightfully so, but - imo - becoming the tragic victim of a horrible disease is not grounds for winning the main award.
Marcus Rashford may not be worthy through his sporting endeavours but he has used his sporting profile and personality to bring about positive change.
Are there usually twelve? Don’t know...only six announced so far, maybe they’re just the first cohort and there’re more to come

[Andy_Faber]

Rob Burrow deserves enormous support and recognition for his bravery. Probably get an award in the same way as I think Doddie Weir did...and rightfully so, but - imo - becoming the tragic victim of a horrible disease is not grounds for winning the main award.
Marcus Rashford may not be worthy through his sporting endeavours but he has used his sporting profile and personality to bring about positive change.
Are there usually twelve? Don’t know...only six announced so far, maybe they’re just the first cohort and there’re more to come

But its not for you or I to say what the grounds are, as you rightly IMO. It should be a popular vote, pure and simple. The sort of vote that won Lordi Eurovision, won Brexit, won the presidency for Trump, won Script For A Jester's Tear the best prog album ever. The broadcasters have blanded out any sponteniety there might have been

[ramAnag]

But its not for you or I to say what the grounds are, as you rightly IMO. It should be a popular vote, pure and simple. The sort of vote that won Lordi Eurovision, won Brexit, won the presidency for Trump, won Script For A Jester's Tear the best prog album ever. The broadcasters have blanded out any sponteniety there might have been

Not quite sure what you mean, AF. It is decided by a ‘popular vote’ isn’t it? Don’t recall ever voting, but I thought people could vote both prior to the programme and up to a certain point during it.
Are you suggesting that the contenders too should be selected by ‘popular’ vote? Not sure that would work. Wouldn’t we, just as a result of football being the best supported sport in the country, run the risk of just having a history of SPOTY winners dominated by the most successful/best supported football clubs?

[Andy_Faber]

Not quite sure what you mean, AF. It is decided by a ‘popular vote’ isn’t it? Don’t recall ever voting, but I thought people could vote both prior to the programme and up to a certain point during it.
Are you suggesting that the contenders too should be selected by ‘popular’ vote? Not sure that would work. Wouldn’t we, just as a result of football being the best supported sport in the country, run the risk of just having a history of SPOTY winners dominated by the most successful/best supported football clubs?

No I'm suggesting it should be a FREE vote, like it used to be. Up to about ten years ago, anyone could vote for anyone, rather than 'anyone can vote for who the BBC decide' as happens now. The Beeb used to be quite capable of rooting out tactical voting, as they did the year Bob Nudd got the most votes after the angling press ran a campaign. (I bet Mista voted for him)