The ESPY Awards, held in Hollywood, kicked off with host Shane Gillis delivering his trademark combative humor during the opening monologue. The audience, consisting of professional athletes and Hollywood celebrities, had a mixed response to Gillis’ jokes.
While Gillis brought his edgy humor to the stage, the night also celebrated and honored major figures in women’s sports. Gymnast Simone Biles, rugby star Ilona Maher, retired soccer superstar Alex Morgan, WNBA great Diana Taurasi, tennis star Sloane Stephens, and Penn State volleyball coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley were all recognized for their achievements. Olympic gymnast Suni Lee was awarded the best comeback athlete, in a gender-mixed category.
Morgan and Taurasi were jointly honored with the ESPYs Icon Award for their efforts to advance women’s sports and improve working conditions for players. Taurasi commended Morgan for opening doors for women outside the game, while Morgan emphasized the importance of advocating for pay equity for female athletes.
Schumacher-Cawley, who is currently battling breast cancer, received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. She spoke about how her background in team sports had helped her in her fight against cancer, highlighting the unbreakable bond shared among athletes.
Despite some jokes not landing well with the audience, Gillis managed to salvage the moment with humor aimed at Donald Trump and WNBA star Caitlin Clark. The night also saw the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage being presented to pioneering Black basketball player Oscar Robinson, who founded the NBA Players Association.
The ESPY Awards have a history of hosting both sports legends and big-screen talents. Past hosts have included Serena Williams, Stephen Curry, Anthony Mackie, Tracy Morgan, Danica Patrick, and Peyton Manning. This year’s event continued the tradition of honoring excellence in sports while also providing entertainment and humor for the audience.
