2025 Shortlist Interview: James Montague

James Montague’s Engulfed has been shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 2025.

What is your book about?

“This book is about power and sport. It’s about the rise of Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, and how he is changing that country and how he’s accumulated power and kept power in an almost Shakespearean manner.

“One of the most infamous assassinations in history took place in 2018 with the murder of Jamal Khashoggi and what happens a result is that this project to rebuild Saudi Arabia in the 21st century suddenly becomes a sports project. Suddenly Saudi Arabia becomes the dominant power in almost every sport on earth.

“I wanted to tell the story of how that had happened, why that happened, and why sport had suddenly become a matter of geopolitical interest.”

How does it feel to be shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award?

“It’s amazing, I didn’t expect it to happen. This is my fifth book and it’s my first longlisting. So, I thought maybe it might never happen. But then to get shortlisted as well is just incredible.

“This is the high watermark of sports writing in the world and it’s just an honour to be listed. There were so many great books on the longlist and there’s seven great books on the shortlist as well.

“I really didn’t expect it to happen and now it has. I’m very happy to be there.”

What would it mean to win the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award?

“It would be the best honour of my career. I’m a freelancer and I live off my writing, it can be quite a lonely profession sometimes. You’re out on your own and not really connecting with everybody else in the industry.

“This is proof that what you’re doing, people are reading and people are taking notice and I suppose that’s a very positive thing as well.

“It’s a big prize and it has the power to change your life. I’m not getting ahead of myself though, I’m just happy to be there! To be honest, the thing I’m most excited about is the leather-bound version of the book. I’d be very happy with just that.”

2025 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award shortlist:

• Finding the Edge by Sir James Anderson
• Ultra Women by Lily Canter and Emma Wilkinson
• States of Play by Miguel Delaney
• The Last Bell by Donald McRae
• Engulfed by James Montague
• Test Cricket by Tim Wigmore
• The Escape by Pippa York and David Walsh

About the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award 

The William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award is the longest established and most valuable literary sports-writing prize in the world. First awarded in 1989, it aims to reward excellence in sports writing and provide recognition to authors who bring the world of sport to life through their work.

This year’s winner will be crowned at a central London ceremony on Tuesday, 25th November, where they will also claim a £30,000 prize and the coveted William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award trophy. Shortlisted authors will receive a leather-bound copy of their book along with £3,000 each.

The 2025 judging panel will be chaired by Alyson Rudd, with Clarke Carlisle, Elis James, Gabby Logan, Mark Lawson, Dame Heather Rabbatts and Michelle Walder making up the rest of the panel.