The ESPYS

The ESPYS (1993- )

RunningAward Show showSports

The ESPYS is an awards show that airs annually an ESPY Award (short for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award) is an accolade presented by the American cable television network ESPN to recognize individual and team athletic achievement and other sports-related performance during the calendar year preceding a given annual ceremony. The first ESPYS were awarded in 1993. Because of the ceremony's rescheduling prior to the 2002 iteration thereof, awards presented in 2002 were for achievement and performances during the seventeen-plus previous months. As the similarly styled Grammy (for music), Emmy (for television), Academy Award (for film), and Tony (for theatre), the ESPYS are hosted by a contemporary celebrity; the style, though, is more relaxed, light, and self-referential than that of many other awards shows, with comedic sketches usually included.

Network
Scheduleevery Wednesday at 20:00 (180 min)

Last Episode

The 2025 ESPYS
Year 2025Episode 1180 min

The 2025 ESPYS

Live from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. 

Former NBA player Oscar Robertson will be honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his fight to establish free agency in the NBA. 

Penn State University women's volleyball head coach, Katie Schumacher-Cawley, will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance for leading her team to the NCAA Women's Volleyball Championship while battling breast cancer. 

Greater Los Angeles first responders and former athletes David Walters and Erin Regan will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service, an award given to a person with a strong connection to sports. 

Former WNBA player Diana Taurasi and former USWNT player Alex Morgan with the Icon Award in recognition of their incredible careers and significant impact on the world of sports.

Juli 16, 2025

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
2025-07-16The 2025 ESPYSJuli 16, 2025
2024-07-112024 ESPY AwardsJuli 11, 2024
2023-07-122023 ESPY AwardsJuli 12, 2023
2022-07-202022 ESPY AwardsJuli 20, 2022
2021-07-102021 ESPY AwardsJuli 10, 2021
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did 'The ESPYs' premiere?

'The ESPYs' premiered on March 3, 1993.

Who hosted the first ESPYs?

Dennis Miller hosted the first ESPYs in 1993.

How long did the first ESPYs ceremony last?

The first ESPYs ceremony lasted for two hours.

Who won the Best Male Athlete award at the 1993 ESPYs?

Michael Jordan won the Best Male Athlete award at the 1993 ESPYs.

Who won the Best Female Athlete award at the 1993 ESPYs?

Monica Seles won the Best Female Athlete award at the 1993 ESPYs.

Who won the Best Young Athlete award at the 1993 ESPYs?

Shaquille O'Neal won the Best Young Athlete award at the 1993 ESPYs.

Who won the Best Team award at the 1993 ESPYs?

The Dallas Cowboys won the Best Team award at the 1993 ESPYs.

Who won the Best Comeback Athlete award at the 1993 ESPYs?

Mario Lemieux won the Best Comeback Athlete award at the 1993 ESPYs.

Who won the Best Play award at the 1993 ESPYs?

Brett Favre's 14-yard scramble won the Best Play award at the 1993 ESPYs.

Who won the Best Championship Performance award at the 1993 ESPYs?

Michael Jordan won the Best Championship Performance award at the 1993 ESPYs.

Who won the Best Upset award at the 1993 ESPYs?

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team's upset of the Florida State Seminoles won the Best Upset award at the 1993 ESPYs.

Who won the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 1993 ESPYs?

Jim Valvano won the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 1993 ESPYs.

Cast

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson

plays himself
Rob Riggle

Rob Riggle

plays himself
Jimmy Smits

Jimmy Smits

plays himself
Norm Macdonald

Norm Macdonald

plays himself
Joel McHale

Joel McHale

plays himself
Serena Williams

Serena Williams

plays herself
Matthew Perry

Matthew Perry

plays himself
LeBron James

LeBron James

plays himself
View all cast

Characters

Host

Host

played by Samuel L. Jackson
Host

Host

played by Rob Riggle
Host

Host

played by Jimmy Smits
Host

Host

played by Norm Macdonald
Host

Host

played by Joel McHale
Host

Host

played by Serena Williams
Host

Host

played by Matthew Perry
Host

Host

played by LeBron James
View all characters

Also known as

  • ESPY Awards
  • Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award

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