Royal Brougham (1894-1978), longtime sports editor for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and friend of sports immortals was considered The Dean of American Sportswriters. He was nationally renowned for his journalistic accomplishments with Royal Brougham becoming the most widely recognized sportswriter’s byline in the Northwest.

Royal started an annual Man of the Year banquet in 1936. The event eventually grew past its downtown men's club feel to embrace professional sports and the diversity of the Pacific Northwest local sports scene. It became the much anticipated and celebrated annual Post-Intelligencer Sports Star of the Year banquet. Since the Sports Star’s inception, almost 100 athletes, coaches and other sport professionals have been named Sports Star of the Year, joining an elite ensemble of some of the best sport icons in our region's history.

Following the closure of the print P-I in 2009, the 74-year old event was in jeopardy. With the help of the Seattle Sports Commission and the generous support of its sponsors, the Sports Star of the Year event has thrived. In 2012, over 1200 people came together to celebrate our sport heros on the big stage at Benaroya Hall. Together with MTR Western, the Seattle Sports Commission is committed to protect and grow this program as one of the longest-tenured events of it’s kind in the nation.

Professional Sports Star of the Year is given to a professional athlete or coach for outstanding sports achievement in the past year or season.
Male Amateur Sports Star of the Year is given to an amateur male athlete or coach for outstanding sports achievement in the past year or season.
Female Amateur Sports Star of the Year is given to amateur female athlete or coach for outstanding sports achievement in the past year or season.
Sports Story of the Year is given to an individual, group of individuals or a team/organization that has positively captured the attention of and inspired the state of Washington.

Sports Executive of the Year is given to an individual for contributions to the success of our state’s sports industry.
Royal Brougham Legend Award is given to an individual for a lifetime of achievement in sports and who exemplifies the spirit of our state.
Paul Allen Award is given to an individual who has made a significant or compelling philanthropic contribution.
Keith Jackson Award is given to a member of the media for excellence in communicating the sports stories of the state of Washington.
Seattle Children’s Inspirational Youth Award is given to an inspirational student who has overcome major medical obstacles and returned to the sport he or she loves.