The 2024 Sports Personality of the Year (SPS) Awards are set to be one of the most controversial and highly anticipated award shows in recent history.
Tennis legend Serena Williams, who was initially scheduled to host the event, has made a firm stand: she will not take the stage unless a significant change is made to the lineup. Williams has explicitly stated that she will not serve as the host if Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is in attendance and set to receive an award. The Duke is slated to be honored with the prestigious Pat Tillman Award for Service at this year's ceremony.
This award is given to an individual with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a manner that echoes the legacy of Pat Tillman, the former NFL player and US Army Ranger. According to ESPN, Prince Harry is being recognized for his tireless efforts in making a positive impact on the veteran community through the power of sport. However, Serena Williams is adamantly opposed to presenting an award to the controversial royal figure. A source close to Williams stated, "Serena has made it crystal clear: if Harry is there to accept an award, she's not hosting. She wants nothing to do with him being celebrated at the SPS."
The tension between Williams and Prince Harry appears to stem from a longstanding feud that dates back several years. In 2019, Williams was featured in the September issue of British Vogue, which was guest-edited by Meghan Markle, Prince Harry's wife. Many perceived this as an attempt by the Sussexes to leverage Williams' star power for their own benefit. Williams, who has been outspoken about issues of race and social justice, was reportedly furious that the Vogue cover ended up focusing more on Meghan than on the actual subjects. There were also rumors that Meghan and Harry expected special treatment and access that Williams did not feel comfortable providing.
The relationship further deteriorated after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. Williams, who is close friends with Oprah, found herself in an awkward position, having to navigate the fallout from the interview. While she did not explicitly criticize the Sussexes, she also did not rush to their defense.
Now, with Prince Harry set to receive one of the highest honors at the SPS, Serena Williams is drawing a line in the sand. She views the royal's inclusion as a stain on the legacy of the award show and the memory of Pat Tillman. Tillman famously gave up his NFL career to serve in the military, where he was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2004. "Serena respects what Pat Tillman stood for and the sacrifices he made," the source said. "She doesn't feel Prince Harry, with his privileged background and lack of true real-world military experience, is deserving of that award. It's a slap in the face."
SPS organizers are now in a difficult position. They want Serena Williams to host the show and bring her star power, but they also do not want to back down from honoring Prince Harry, who has become a favorite of the liberal Hollywood elite in recent years. "It's a rock and a hard place for the SPS," the source explained. "They know Serena is the perfect host to bring excitement and ratings to the show, but they also know that caving to her demands and disinviting Harry would be a PR nightmare. They're really stuck between a royal and a hard place on this one."
Representatives for both Williams and Prince Harry have declined to comment publicly on the brewing controversy. However, it's clear that tension is building, and a resolution will need to be found in the coming weeks before the show is set to take place. Some have speculated that a potential compromise could be for Prince Harry to attend but not receive the award in person, with a pre-taped acceptance speech shown instead. This may appease Williams and allow the SPS to move forward with their planned itinerary.
Regardless of how it plays out, the 2024 SPS Awards are shaping up to be must-see TV. With Serena Williams' hosting status in jeopardy and Prince Harry's controversial inclusion, sports and entertainment fans alike will be glued to their screens to see how this high-profile clash unfolds on the world stage.
