What Is The ESPY Award? Celebrating Sports' Brightest Stars

Jalon Gottlieb DDS 15 Aug 2025

Have you ever wondered about those grand events where the biggest names in sports gather to celebrate their incredible feats? Well, a very special one is the ESPY Awards, a yearly gathering that shines a light on the top athletes and the most amazing sport performances from the past twelve months. It's a rather big deal, you know, a moment when the athletic community gets to cheer for its own, recognizing all the hard work and amazing talent that makes sports so exciting. This ceremony, which stands for the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly, truly honors those who have pushed boundaries and inspired us all with their athletic abilities.

The ESPY Awards are, in a way, like the Oscars for sports, bringing together the world's best athletes and biggest stars to remember the last year in sports. It's not just about winning games or setting records; it's about the spirit of competition, the drive to improve, and the sheer joy of athletic accomplishment. People often ask why this awards show is given an annual ceremony, and it comes down to celebrating the ongoing story of sports, making sure those incredible moments and players get their proper moment in the spotlight, which is pretty cool.

So, what exactly makes the ESPY Awards such a significant event on the sports calendar? We'll take a look at its origins, the special honors it presents, and who has been part of its recent history, including the hosts and some of the celebrated nominees. It's a ceremony that, as a matter of fact, captures the heart of what sports means to so many, from the courage shown by competitors to the perseverance that defines true champions.

What Exactly Are the ESPY Awards?
The Heart of the ESPYs: Recognizing Excellence
Special Honors: More Than Just Trophies
Who's Been Part of the ESPY Experience?
- Hosting the Big Night
- Spotlight on Nominees and Winners
Catching the ESPY Awards: How to Watch
Frequently Asked Questions About the ESPYs

What Exactly Are the ESPY Awards?

The ESPY Awards, which stand for the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly, are, in short, an annual event that honors the top athletes and the most remarkable sport performances of the year. It's a yearly ceremony, broadcast by ABC, that brings together the best in sports to commemorate the last year of athletic achievements. This gathering is, you know, a chance to really appreciate the best moments, the most amazing plays, and the standout players from various sports disciplines. It is, quite literally, a celebration of what makes sports so captivating and inspiring for people all around the globe.

This annual awards show, sometimes presented by major sponsors like Capital One, takes time to look back at the entire year of sports, highlighting those instances that truly stood out. It's a moment for the sporting world to pause and reflect on the courage, the perseverance, and the service shown by athletes and sports leaders. The ESPYs are, basically, a way to say "thank you" to those who entertain us, challenge us, and, in some respects, show us what's possible when determination meets talent. It's a rather unique event that captures the essence of sportsmanship and achievement.

The Heart of the ESPYs: Recognizing Excellence

At its core, the ESPY Awards are about celebrating excellence across the vast landscape of sports. Every year, athletes from different fields, whether they play on a team or compete as individuals, are recognized for their outstanding contributions. This event, as a matter of fact, goes beyond just handing out trophies; it's about acknowledging the stories behind the performances, the dedication, and the passion that drives these incredible individuals. The show gives a platform to the athletes who have, perhaps, had a breakthrough year or those who have consistently performed at the very highest level.

The selection process involves identifying nominees who have truly made a mark in their respective sports. For instance, in recent times, we've seen athletes like Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark among those up for two awards, and Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley leading all nominees for the 2025 ESPY Awards. These nominations, you know, highlight the players who have captured the public's imagination and delivered memorable performances. The ESPYs are, in a way, a collective nod to the athletic community's finest, giving them a moment to shine outside of their usual competitive arenas.

Special Honors: More Than Just Trophies

Beyond the categories for best player or best team, the ESPY Awards also present a few very special accolades that recognize qualities like courage, perseverance, and service. These particular honors are, in some respects, the heart of the ceremony, as they highlight the human spirit within sports. They celebrate athletes and sports leaders who have shown remarkable character, often in the face of significant challenges or adversity. It's a powerful part of the show, really, that goes beyond mere athletic skill.

The Arthur Ashe Courage Award

One of the most prestigious of these special honors is the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. This award, which is sometimes called the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage or the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award, is presented as a significant part of the ESPY Awards ceremony. It is, quite simply, named for the American tennis player Arthur Ashe, a figure who himself embodied courage both on and off the court. This particular award celebrates individuals in the sporting world who have shown exceptional bravery and integrity, often using their platform to make a positive impact on the world, which is very inspiring.

The Pat Tillman Award for Service

Another very meaningful honor presented at the ESPYs is the Pat Tillman Award for Service. This award, as a matter of fact, recognizes individuals in the sports community who have demonstrated extraordinary service, often linked to their commitment to others or their country. For example, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, was named the recipient of this prestigious ESPYs honor in 2024, which, you know, left many fans and critics alike asking about the exact nature of this award. It highlights how athletes and sports figures can make a difference far beyond the playing field, showcasing a different kind of strength.

The Jimmy V Award for Perseverance

The Jimmy V Award, sometimes called the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, is also a very moving part of the ESPY Awards. This particular award is given to a deserving member of the sporting world who has overcome great obstacles or challenges. It’s named after Jim Valvano, a beloved college basketball coach who, as you know, famously spoke about perseverance and never giving up in the face of adversity. This honor, quite honestly, serves as a powerful reminder of the human spirit's ability to endure and triumph, even when things are incredibly tough.

Who's Been Part of the ESPY Experience?

The ESPY Awards are not just about the athletes who win; they're also about the people who bring the show to life, from the hosts who guide the evening to the nominees whose achievements are celebrated. It's a big production, really, that involves many famous faces from the world of sports and entertainment. The event is a chance for these personalities to step out of their usual roles and come together to appreciate the athletic community's collective efforts. It's a rather star-studded affair, you know, that draws a lot of attention.

Hosting the Big Night

The host of the ESPY Awards plays a pretty big part in setting the tone for the entire ceremony. They're the ones who keep the energy high, share jokes, and guide viewers through the various awards and special segments. For instance, comedian Shane Gillis will host the 2025 ESPY Awards, which are set to return on Wednesday, July 16. He'll be recapping the entire year of sports to celebrate the best moments, plays, and players. In 2024, Serena Williams had the hosting honor for the first time, and people had a lot to say about her performance. These hosts, as a matter of fact, add their own unique flair to the show, making each year a little bit different and special.

Spotlight on Nominees and Winners

Every year, the list of nominees for the ESPY Awards features some of the biggest names in sports, representing a wide range of athletic achievements. These are the individuals and teams who have, quite literally, dominated their respective fields and captured the public's imagination. For example, ESPN announced the full list of nominees for the 2025 ESPYs on a Wednesday, with Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark among those up for two awards. In the same year, Philadelphia Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley leads all nominees, showing the variety of sports celebrated. The 2024 ESPY Awards recognized some of the biggest names, including nominees like Patrick Mahomes and Caitlin Clark, among others. The 2022 ESPYs, presented by Capital One, celebrated the best players, teams, and moments, with a complete list of winners honored. These nominations and wins are, you know, a testament to the incredible talent and dedication present in the world of sports, giving these athletes a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

Catching the ESPY Awards: How to Watch

For those who want to experience the excitement of the ESPY Awards firsthand, there are usually a few ways to tune in. The annual awards show is, typically, broadcast on major networks, making it pretty accessible for most viewers. For instance, the 2025 ESPY Awards, the 33rd annual ceremony, took place on July 16, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and was broadcast by ABC. This means a wide audience could watch the world's best athletes and biggest stars come together to commemorate the last year in sports.

Similarly, the 2024 ESPY Awards show aired on Thursday, July 11, also presenting a big night of sports celebration. You could watch it on ABC, and it was also available to stream on demand the next day on ESPN+. This flexibility, you know, means that even if you miss the live broadcast, you can still catch up on all the memorable moments and see who took home the honors. The Sporting News, for example, followed the ESPYs and gave live updates throughout the awards show, providing another way to stay connected to the event as it unfolded, which is rather convenient.

If you're looking for unique or custom, handmade pieces related to books, you might want to Learn more about our selection on our site. We also have a great selection of unique or custom, handmade pieces from our guides & how tos shops, which you can find on this page. You can also check out our online shopping selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our templates shops. For those interested, we even have an ultra micro swimsuit selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our swimwear shops.

Frequently Asked Questions About the ESPYs

What does ESPY stand for?

The acronym ESPY stands for "Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly." It’s the full name of the awards show, which, you know, perfectly describes its purpose: to celebrate outstanding achievements in sports that happen throughout the year. It's a straightforward name that, in a way, gets right to the point of what the ceremony is all about.

Who will host the 2025 ESPY Awards?

The 2025 ESPY Awards will be hosted by comedian Shane Gillis. He's set to take center stage for the event, which is happening on Wednesday, July 16. It's a big role, you know, to lead the show that celebrates the past year in sports, and he'll be tasked with keeping things lively and entertaining for everyone watching.

What is the Arthur Ashe Courage Award?

The Arthur Ashe Courage Award is a very special honor presented as part of the ESPY Awards. It's named after the American tennis player Arthur Ashe, and it celebrates individuals in the sporting world who have shown exceptional courage. This award, sometimes called the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage or the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award, really highlights those who have gone above and beyond, displaying bravery and making a positive impact through their actions, which is pretty amazing.

ESPY Award - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia

2025 Espy Award Winners - Twila Ingeberg

ESPY Awards

VeriScope News