Besa Gordon, host of Back2Besa on FOX 13 and nighttime host on HITS 106.1 is set to once again host on the red carpet of the Seattle Sports Star Awards happening on February 15th at the Westin Hotel in downtown Seattle. The 89th edition of this storied annual event brings together the best of the Seattle Sports Scene, and Gordon is quickly becoming a large part of that. Last year, she interviewed numerous stars on the red carpet and brought her signature energy and flair to the proceedings. She’ll return this year to reprise her role, highlighting the individuals who make Seattle sports great.

“It’s truly an honor to be the red carpet host once again for the sports star of the year awards,” Gordon said. “This is literally Washington’s biggest night of the year for sports. And in 2023, Washington sports had some huge moments like MLB All-Star Week, the Kraken making their first-ever playoff run, the OL Reign competing for a title, and so much more.”

Last year, Gordon enjoyed participating in the proceedings and tapped in with numerous athletes, including KJ Wright, Michael Penix Jr, and Rome Odunze, as well as spending time in the trophy room and hanging out with the mascots. This year, she’s excited to return and dive in even deeper, connecting on new levels with those present and reflecting on the experiences of the past year with her peers.

“I’m so excited to take what I learned last year and continue to build on it. Those relationships that I’ve worked to build on over the past year are truly special to me, and this night is quickly becoming one of my favorites,” Gordon said.

Sports Star Executive Producer and Head of Content for the Seattle Sports Commission Mara Mote is also excited to have Gordon back. She said Gordon has been a great addition to the event and she’s loved watching her grow within the scene.

"Besa has such a natural rapport with her guests," Mote said. "With Besa and the Converge team returning as our Sports Star red carpet hosts this year, that special energy only adds to the overall magic of the event for athletes and attendees alike."

Joining Gordon at the event but on media row will be Charles Hamaker and the Circling Seattle Sports team. Hamaker and crew provide high-level reporting on all of Seattle’s professional and most of the city’s collegiate teams and have quickly established themselves as one of the fastest growing news sources for Seattle sports fans.

For Gordon, the honor is about more than just the night of the awards. It’s a recognition of her work all year long, highlighting the Kraken, Mariners, Seahawks, Reign, and more.

“It's been fun and almost altering in a way,” Gordon said. “I think me going to all of these sporting events and becoming a part of sporting culture in Seattle is kind of changing what it looks like, in a way.”

Gordon said that she’s seen an uptick in people trying out new sports and that many have told her she’s inspired them to give new events a try.

“I think that there are a lot of people, especially within my community, that feel like oh, I have to look like this, or I have to work this kind of job, or I have to know all about this sport in order to go and have a good time,” Gordon said. “And that's really not the reality.”

Gordon said that while she enjoys the games on the field, she has truly fallen in love with the atmosphere. She credited the energy and the people she’s met as key reasons why she continues to come back.

“Yes, I enjoy watching the games, but I also just enjoy hanging out with the people,” Gordon said. “You end up meeting some really, really cool people.”

The awards are a chance for Gordon to reflect on the year she’s had and continue to connect with those who make up the Seattle sporting ecosystem during one of the most storied and long-running traditions of it’s type around the country.

“To me, it was a dope year for sports fans in Washington State, so I definitely can’t wait to talk with the athletes and coaches about all the great things that happened this past year,” Gordon said.

You can check out more photos from last year’s red carpet below, and make sure to tap in at https://www.seattlesports.org/sports-star-of-the-year-89th for more information on this year’s event. The ceremony will take place on February 15th at the Westin Seattle.

Make sure to tune into Back2Besa every Saturday at 10:30 pm on FOX 13 Seattle and every Sunday at 10 am on FOX 13+ for more, and listen to Besa on the Radio on HITS 106.1 and stations around the country.

Photos by Jordan Somers on behalf of Converge Media