The move comes after an absence of any women from the 10 names on the shortlist for the award caused anger among female presenters and athletes.
The shortlist was put together by a panel of sports editors from national and regional newspapers and magazines and there was not a woman's name among them.
TV presenter Gabby Logan said it was "disgraceful" and "annoying" that women's sporting achievements were not as highly rated as men's.
"I can't think of anything to say about there being NO women on SPOTY top ten list that is positive so I won't say anything," she tweeted.
"World champion swimmer, world champion ironman athlete and track athletes would all stake a claim.
"So we moan about women having no positive role models but they are there in sport - we need to promote them."
Notable absentees include swimming champions Rebecca Adlington and Sarah Stevenson and world champion ironman athlete Chrissie Wellington.
On Twitter, Adlington said: "There's been some great sportswomen like Keri-Anne Payne, it's sad they are not recognised.
"Hopefully next year can be all women nominations after London 2012."
Stevenson, whose world title was all the more creditable given both her parents died from illness this year, said: "Thanks all for your comments about not being nominated. It's a shame, but just how it is! I'll keep fighting for my parents, not for SPOTY."
BBC racing commentator Clare Balding offered her views:
"If you feel strongly about the all-male SPOTY list, it might be worth making the point to the sports editor of the paper you read, the radio station you listen to, the TV stations you watch that their coverage of female sport is very, very limited in non-Olympic years," she tweeted.
"Do not accept. Fight for change. Are there any female sports editors?"
Thirteen women have won the award, now determined by a public vote, with three-day eventer Zara Phillips the most recent, in 2006, 35 years after her mother, Princess Anne, won for her success in the same sport
The award itself will be presented on Thursday, December 22, and one of those in the presenting hot seat, Jake Humphrey, said he hoped the row will not detract from the award ceremony itself.
"We've got some amazing women, it's disappointing but it is the way it is. It's not a sexist competition."
No footballers or rugby players made the shortlist either, he pointed out.
The shortlist (in alphabetical order) is:
:: Mark Cavendish - cycling
:: Darren Clarke - golf
:: Alastair Cook - cricket
:: Luke Donald - golf
:: Mo Farah - athletics
:: Dai Greene - athletics
:: Amir Khan - boxing
:: Rory McIlroy - golf
:: Andy Murray - tennis
:: Andrew Strauss - cricket
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