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ESPY Award

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Country
  
United States

First awarded
  
1993

Ceremony date
  
13 July 2016

Hosted by
  
John Cena

Official website
  
espn.go.com/espys/

Host
  
John Cena


Awarded for
  
Excellence in sports performance and achievements

Winners
  
Zaevion Dobson, Zaevion Dobson, Courage Award, Courage Award, LeBron James, LeBron James, Best Male Athlete, Best Male Athlete, Conor McGregor, Conor McGregor, Best Fighter, Best Fighter, Breanna Stewart, Breanna Stewart, Best Female Athlete, Best Female Athlete, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Best Moment, Best Moment, Aaron Rodgers, Aaron Rodgers, Best Play, Best Play, Jake Arrieta, Jake Arrieta, Best Breakthrough Athlete, Best Breakthrough Athlete, Eric Berry, Eric Berry, Best Comeback Athlete, Best Comeback Athlete, Craig Sager, Craig Sager, Award for Perseverance, Award for Perseverance, LeBron James, LeBron James, Best Championship Performance, Best Championship Performance, LeBron James, LeBron James, Best NBA Player, Best NBA Player, Holly Holm, Holly Holm, Best Upset, Best Upset, Kobe Bryant, Kobe Bryant, Icon Award, Icon Award, Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning, Icon Award, Icon Award, Abby Wambach, Abby Wambach, Icon Award, Icon Award, Sidney Crosby, Sidney Crosby, Best NHL Player, Best NHL Player, Stephen Curry, Stephen Curry, Best Record-Breaking Performance, Best Record-Breaking Performance, Golden State Warriors, Golden State Warriors, Best Game, Best Game, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Best Game, Best Game, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Best International Athlete, Best International Athlete, Caitlyn Jenner, Caitlyn Jenner, Courage Award, Courage Award, Stephen Curry, Stephen Curry, Best Male Athlete, Best Male Athlete, Ronda Rousey, Ronda Rousey, Best Fighter, Best Fighter, Ronda Rousey, Ronda Rousey, Best Female Athlete, Best Female Athlete, Lauren Hill, Lauren Hill, Best Moment, Best Moment, Odell Beckham Jr, Odell Beckham Jr, Best Play, Best Play, Mo'ne Davis, Mo'ne Davis, Best Breakthrough Athlete, Best Breakthrough Athlete, Rob Gronkowski, Rob Gronkowski, Best Comeback Athlete, Best Comeback Athlete, Devon Still, Devon Still, Award for Perseverance, Award for Perseverance, Leah Still, Leah Still, Award for Perseverance, Award for Perseverance, LeBron James, LeBron James, Best Championship Performance, Best Championship Performance, Stephen Curry, Stephen Curry, Best NBA Player, Best NBA Player, Ole Miss Rebels football, Ole Miss Rebels football, Best Upset, Best Upset, Derek Jeter, Derek Jeter, Icon Award, Icon Award, Jonathan Toews, Jonathan Toews, Best NHL Player, Best NHL Player, Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning, Best Record-Breaking Performance, Best Record-Breaking Performance, Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Seahawks, Best Game, Best Game, New England Patriots, New England Patriots, Best Game, Best Game, Lionel Messi, Lionel Messi, Best International Athlete, Best International Athlete, Serena Williams, Serena Williams, Best Female Tennis Player, Best Female Tennis Player, Michael Sam, Michael Sam, Courage Award, Courage Award, Kevin Durant, Kevin Durant, Best Male Athlete, Best Male Athlete, Floyd Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather, Best Fighter, Best Fighter, Ronda Rousey, Ronda Rousey, Best Female Athlete, Best Female Athlete, United States men's national soccer team, United States men's national soccer team, Best Moment, Best Moment, Chris Davis, Chris Davis, Best Play, Best Play, Richard Sherman, Richard Sherman, Best Breakthrough Athlete, Best Breakthrough Athlete, Russell Westbrook, Russell Westbrook, Best Comeback Athlete, Best Comeback Athlete, Stuart Scott, Stuart Scott, Award for Perseverance, Award for Perseverance, Kawhi Leonard, Kawhi Leonard, Best Championship Performance, Best Championship Performance, Kevin Durant, Kevin Durant, Best NBA Player, Best NBA Player, Mercer Bears men's basketball, Mercer Bears men's basketball, Best Upset, Best Upset, Sidney Crosby, Sidney Crosby, Best NHL Player, Best NHL Player, Peyton Manning, Peyton Manning, Best Record-Breaking Performance, Best Record-Breaking Performance, Auburn Tigers football, Auburn Tigers football, Best Game, Best Game, Alabama Crimson Tide football, Alabama Crimson Tide football, Best Game, Best Game, Cristiano Ronaldo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Best International Athlete, Best International Athlete, Maria Sharapova, Maria Sharapova, Best Female Tennis Player, Best Female Tennis Player, Doug McDermott, Doug McDermott, Best Male College Athlete, Best Male College Athlete, Nyjah Huston, Nyjah Huston, Best Male Action Sports Athlete, Best Male Action Sports Athlete, Robin Roberts, Robin Roberts, Courage Award, Courage Award, LeBron James, LeBron James, Best Male Athlete, Best Male Athlete, Floyd Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather, Best Fighter, Best Fighter, Serena Williams, Serena Williams, Best Female Athlete, Best Female Athlete, Jack Hoffman, Jack Hoffman, Best Moment, Best Moment, Jadeveon Clowney, Jadeveon Clowney, Best Play, Best Play, Colin Kaepernick, Colin Kaepernick, Best Breakthrough Athlete, Best Breakthrough Athlete, Adrian Peterson, Adrian Peterson, Best Comeback Athlete, Best Comeback Athlete, Team Hoyt, Team Hoyt, Award for Perseverance, Award for Perseverance, LeBron James, LeBron James, Best Championship Performance, Best Championship Performance, LeBron James, LeBron James, Best NBA Player, Best NBA Player, Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men's basketball, Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men's basketball, Best Upset, Best Upset, Sidney Crosby, Sidney Crosby, Best NHL Player, Best NHL Player, Michael Phelps, Michael Phelps, Best Record-Breaking Performance, Best Record-Breaking Performance, Miami Heat, Miami Heat, Best Game, Best Game, San Antonio Spurs, San Antonio Spurs, Best Game, Best Game, Usain Bolt, Usain Bolt, Best International Athlete, Best International Athlete, Serena Williams, Serena Williams, Best Female Tennis Player, Best Female Tennis Player, Johnny Manziel, Johnny Manziel, Best Male College Athlete, Best Male College Athlete, Nyjah Huston, Nyjah Huston, Best Male Action Sports Athlete, Best Male Action Sports Athlete, Pat Summitt, Pat Summitt, Courage Award, Courage Award, LeBron James, LeBron James, Best Male Athlete, Best Male Athlete, Floyd Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather, Best Fighter, Best Fighter, Brittney Griner, Brittney Griner, Best Female Athlete, Best Female Athlete, Tim Tebow, Tim Tebow, Best Moment, Best Moment, Christian Watford, Christian Watford, Best Play, Best Play, Jeremy Lin, Jeremy Lin, Best Breakthrough Athlete, Best Breakthrough Athlete, Matthew Stafford, Matthew Stafford, Best Comeback Athlete, Best Comeback Athlete, Eric LeGrand, Eric LeGrand, Award for Perseverance, Award for Perseverance, LeBron James, LeBron James, Best Championship Performance, Best Championship Performance, LeBron James, LeBron James, Best NBA Player, Best NBA Player, Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Kings, Best Upset, Best Upset, Jonathan Quick, Jonathan Quick, Best NHL Player, Best NHL Player, Drew Brees, Drew Brees, Best Record-Breaking Performance, Best Record-Breaking Performance, San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco 49ers, Best Game, Best Game, New Orleans Saints, New Orleans Saints, Best Game, Best Game, Lionel Messi, Lionel Messi, Best International Athlete, Best International Athlete, Maria Sharapova, Maria Sharapova, Best Female Tennis Player, Best Female Tennis Player, Robert Griffin III, Robert Griffin III, Best Male College Athlete, Best Male College Athlete, Shaun White, Shaun White, Best Male Action Sports Athlete, Best Male Action Sports Athlete

An ESPY Award (short for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award) is an accolade currently presented by the American broadcast television network ABC, and previously 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.

Contents

ESPY Award The Funniest ESPY Award Tweets Comedy Galleries Paste

From their inception to 2004, ESPY Award winners were chosen only through voting by fans. Since 2004, sportswriters, broadcasters, sports executives, and sportspersons, collectively experts; or ESPN personalities also vote. Award winners have been selected thereafter exclusively through online fan balloting conducted from amongst candidates selected by the ESPY Select Nominating Committee.

ESPY Award ESPY Awards Full Winners List Hollywood Reporter

Charitable role

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A portion of the proceeds from sales of tickets to the event devolves on the V Foundation, a charity established by collegiate basketball coach and television commentator Jim Valvano to promote cancer research. Valvano announced the creation of the charitable foundation during his acceptance of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award during the inaugural ESPY telecast on March 3, 1993, fifty-five days before Valvano's death from metastatic adenocarcinoma.

Design

The ESPY Award statuette was designed and created by sculptor Lawrence Nowlan.

Timing

ESPY Award ESPY Awards 2015 Winners ESPYS Winner List

Between 1993 and 2001, the ceremony was held each year in either February or March and was broadcast recorded on ESPN.

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Since 2002, the ceremony has been conducted on the Wednesday in July following the Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game; as it marks the only day of the year that none of the major North American professional leagues or college sports programs have games scheduled for that day—the National Basketball Association, National Football League, and National Hockey League are not in-season (though the NBA does have its exhibition NBA Summer League going on and NFL teams are getting ready for training camp), colleges are in recess for the summer, and MLB does not contest games on the day following its all-star game—major sports figures are available to attend. The show is aired on the subsequent Sunday four days later, although the results are announced on ESPN.com and thereafter across media outlets immediately after taping is complete. For the first time since 2003 the ESPY Awards were televised live on ESPN, July 14, 2010. In 2015 the ESPY Awards will come to network television for the first time, as ABC will air the awards. ABC will do so again in 2016.

Location

ESPY Award 2015 ESPY Awards Nominees and Winners abc13com

The first seven editions of the ESPYs were held in New York City—in 1993 and 1994 at Madison Square Garden and from 1995 through 1999, at Radio City Music Hall. The awards relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, for two years beginning in 2000, and ultimately settled at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California. In 2006, it was announced that the awards would move in 2008 to the Microsoft Theater (formerly the Nokia Theatre), to be situated as the West Coast headquarters of ESPN at LA Live, adjacent to the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Hosts

The ceremonies have been hosted variously by comedians, television and film actors, and sportspeople. American film actor Samuel L. Jackson is the only individual to have hosted four times (in 1999, 2001, 2002, and 2009); American comedian Dennis Miller, American film actor and singer Jamie Foxx, and actor and comedian Seth Meyers are the only others to have hosted the awards ceremonies more than once.

Awards

American professional golfer Tiger Woods is the most-honored ESPY recipient, having received 21 awards.

Cross-cutter categories

Cross-cutter awards are those for which the eligibility is not confined to those sportspersons participating in, or those events occurring in, any single or specific sport.

  • Arthur Ashe Courage Award, presented to the sports-related person(s) or team, irrespective of gender or sport contested, adjudged to have made the most significant or compelling humanitarian contribution in transcendence of sports in a given year (presented since 1993)
  • Best Female Athlete ESPY Award, presented to the female sportsperson, irrespective of nationality or sport contested, adjudged to be the most outstanding over a given year (1993)
  • Best Male Athlete ESPY Award, presented to the male sportsperson, irrespective of nationality or sport contested, adjudged to be the most outstanding in a given year (1993)
  • Best Breakthrough Athlete ESPY Award, presented to the sportsperson, irrespective of gender or sport contested, adjudged to have made the best or most significant breakthrough in his or her sport in a given year (1993)
  • Best Championship Performance ESPY Award, presented to the sportsperson, irrespective of gender, nationality, or sport contested, adjudged to have made the best or most significant performance in a championship match, series, or tournament in his or her sport
  • Best Coach/Manager ESPY Award, presented to the coach or manager, irrespective of nationality or sport contested, adjudged to be the most outstanding in a given year (1993)
  • Best Female College Athlete ESPY Award, presented to the female sportsperson, irrespective of sport played, adjudged to be the best in the National Collegiate Athletic Association in a given year (2002)
  • Best Male College Athlete ESPY Award, presented to the male sportsperson, irrespective of sport played, adjudged to be the best in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, in a given year (2002)
  • Best Comeback Athlete ESPY Award, presented to the sportsperson, irrespective of gender or sport contested, adjudged to have made the most significant or impressive comeback from illness, injury, hardship, retirement, or loss of form (1993)
  • Best Female Athlete with a Disability ESPY Award, presented to the female sportsperson with a disability, irrespective of nationality or sport contested, adjudged to be the best in a given year (2005)
  • Best Male Athlete with a Disability ESPY Award, presented to the male sportsperson with a disability, irrespective of nationality or sport contested, adjudged to be the best in a given year (2005)
  • Best Game ESPY Award, presented to the single game in a North American professional or collegiate league, irrespective of sport, adjudged to be the best in a given year (2002)
  • Best Upset ESPY Award, presented to the sportsperson or team, irrespective of gender or sport contested, adjudged to have completed the best, most impressive, or most significant upset in a given year (2004)
  • Best Moment ESPY Award, presented to the moment or series of moments occurring in a sporting event or season, irrespective of sport contested or gender of participating sportsperson(s), adjudged to the most remarkable, compelling, or entertaining in a given year (2002)
  • Best Play ESPY Award, presented to the single play or performance, irrespective of sport contested or gender of participating sportsperson, adjudged to be the most remarkable, significant, or impressive in a given year (2002)
  • Best Record-Breaking Performance ESPY Award, presented to the record-breaking single-play, game or season performance, irrespective of sport contested or gender of participating sportsperson, adjudged to be the most remarkable, significant, or impressive in a given year (2001)
  • Jimmy V ESPY Award for Perseverance (2007)
  • Outstanding Team ESPY Award, presented to the collegiate, professional, or national team, irrespective of sport contested, adjudged to be the most outstanding in a given year (1993)

    • Individual categories

    Individual awards are those for which eligibility is limited to those partaking of a single individual or team sport or specific sport category.

  • Best Female Action Sports Athlete ESPY Award, presented to the female action sportsperson, irrespective of nationality or discipline contested, adjudged to be the best in a given year (presented since 2004)
  • Best Male Action Sports Athlete ESPY Award, presented to the male action sportsperson, irrespective of nationality or discipline contested, adjudged to be the best in a given year (2004)
  • Best Angler ESPY Award, presented to the angler, irrespective of gender, adjudged to be the best in a given year (2006)
  • Best Bowler ESPY Award, presented to the ten-pin bowler, irrespective of gender, adjudged to be the best playing in the United States in a given year (1995)
  • Best Driver ESPY Award, presented to the motorsports driver, irrespective of nationality, gender, or series or sort contested adjudged to be best in a given year (1993)
  • Best Fighter ESPY Award, presented to the professional boxer, mixed martial arts fighter, international or collegiate wrestler irrespective of nationality or weight class, adjudged to be the best in a given year (2007)
  • Best Female Golfer ESPY Award, presented to the female professional golfer, irrespective of nationality, adjudged to be the best in a given year (1993—2004 inclusive, 2009–present)
  • Best Male Golfer ESPY Award, presented to the male professional golfer, irrespective of nationality, adjudged to be the best in a given year (1993—2004 inclusive, 2009–present)
  • Best Jockey ESPY Award, presented to the thoroughbred horse racing jockey, irrespective of nationality or gender, adjudged to be the best riding in the United States in a given year (1994)
  • Best MLS Player ESPY Award, presented to the player adjudged to be the best in Major League Soccer in a given year (2006)
  • Best Major League Baseball Player ESPY Award, presented to the player adjudged to be the best in Major League Baseball in a given year (1993)
  • Best NBA Player ESPY Award, presented to the player adjudged to be the best in the National Basketball Association in a given year (1993)
  • Best NFL Player ESPY Award, presented to the player adjudged to be the best in the National Football League in a given year (1993)
  • Best NHL Player ESPY Award, presented to the player adjudged to be the best in the National Hockey League in a given year (1993–present; not awarded in 2005 due to cancellation of previous season)
  • Best Female Tennis Player ESPY Award, presented to the female professional tennis player, irrespective of nationality, adjudged to be the best in a given year (1993)
  • Best Male Tennis Player ESPY Award, presented to the male professional tennis player, irrespective of nationality, adjudged to be the best in a given year (1993)
  • Best Track and Field Athlete ESPY Award, presented to the track and field athlete, irrespective of nationality or gender, adjudged to be the best in a given year (2007; not awarded in 2009)
  • Best WNBA Player ESPY Award, presented to the player adjudged to be the best in the Women's National Basketball Association in a given year (1998)

    • Sponsored awards are those otherwise constituted as cross-cutter awards the titles and eligibility criteria of which reflect corporate sponsorship.

  • GMC Professional Grade Play ESPY Award, presented to the single play in a professional or collegiate North American sport adjudged to be the most impressive, remarkable, or notable in a given year, and to the sportsperson(s) involved therewith (presented since 2006)
  • Under Armour Undeniable Performance ESPY Award, presented to the single performance in a game or series in a professional or collegiate North American sports league to be the most impressive or significant in a given year, and to the sportspersons involved therewith (2006)

    • Cross-cutter categories

    Cross-cutter awards are those the eligibility for which is not confined to those sportspersons participating in, or those events occurring in, any single or specific sport.

  • Best International Athlete ESPY Award, presented to the sportsperson in a North American professional or collegiate league, irrespective of gender, born outside the United States adjudged to be the best in a given year (2006 through 2009)
  • Best U.S. Olympic Athlete (presented in 2002 to Sarah Hughes)
  • Female USA Olympic Athlete (presented in 2001 to Marion Jones, 2005 to Team USA Softball, and 2009 to Shawn Johnson)
  • Male USA Olympic Athlete (presented in 2001 to Rulon Gardner and in 2005 and 2009 to Michael Phelps)
  • Come-from-behind Performance (presented in 2001 to Tiger Woods)
  • Game of the Year ESPY Award (presented between 1996 and 1998, inclusive, not to be confused with the Best Game ESPY Award)
  • Dramatic Individual Performance of the Year ESPY Award (presented between 1997 and 1999, inclusive)
  • Humanitarian of the Year (presented in 1999 to Sammy Sosa)
  • Lifetime Achievement Award (presented in 2001 to Jack Nicklaus)
  • Memorable Performance of the Year ESPY Award (presented between 2000 and 2001, inclusive)
  • Most Spectacular Play (presented in 2001 to Antonio Freeman)
  • Outstanding Performance by an Athlete in Entertainment (presented between 1994 and 1996, inclusive, to Charles Barkley, John Kruk, George Seifert)
  • Outstanding Performance by a Sports Personality in a Commercial (presented in 1993 to Larry Johnson)
  • Outstanding Performance by a Sports Personality in an Attempt to Break into Show Business (presented in 1993 to Shaquille O'Neal)
  • Outstanding Performance Under Pressure ESPY Award (presented between 1993 and 1999, inclusive)
  • Outrageous Play of the Year ESPY Award (presented between 1993 and 1998, inclusive)
  • Showstopper of the Year ESPY Award (presented between 1993 and 1999, inclusive)

    • Individual categories

    Individual awards are those for which eligibility is limited to those partaking of a single individual or team sport or specific sport category.

  • Best Action Sports Athlete ESPY Award, presented to the action sportsperson, irrespective of gender, nationality, or discipline contested, adjudged to be the best in a given year (presented between 2002 and 2003, inclusive)
  • Best Female College Basketball Player ESPY Award, presented to the female basketball player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association adjudged to be the best in a given year (1993–2001, inclusive)
  • Best Male College Basketball Player ESPY Award, presented to the male basketball player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association adjudged to be the best in a given year (1993–2001, inclusive)
  • Best College Football Player ESPY Award, presented to the American football player in the National Collegiate Athletic Association adjudged to be the best in a given year (1993–2001, inclusive)
  • Best Athlete with a Disability ESPY Award, presented to the sportsperson with a disability, irrespective of gender, nationality, or sport contested, adjudged to be the best in a given year (2002–2004, inclusive)
  • Best Boxer ESPY Award, presented to the boxer, irrespective of nationality or weight class, adjudged to be the best in a given year (1993–2006, inclusive)
  • Best Golfer ESPY Award, presented to the professional golfer, irrespective of nationality or gender, adjudged to be best in a given year (2005–2008 inclusive)
  • Best Female Soccer Player ESPY Award, presented to the female soccer (association football) player, irrespective of nationality, adjudged to be the best in a given year (2002–2004, inclusive)
  • Best Male Soccer Player ESPY Award, presented to the male soccer (association football) player, irrespective of nationality, adjudged to be the best in a given year (2002–2004, inclusive)
  • Best Soccer Player ESPY Award, presented to the soccer player, irrespective of gender or nationality, adjudged to be the best in a given year (2000)
  • Best Outdoor Sportsman ESPY Award, presented to the sportsperson, irrespective of gender or nationality, adjudged to be the best of those contesting outdoor recreational or nature-based individual sports in the United States and Canada in a given year (2002–2005, inclusive)
  • Best Female Track Athlete ESPY Award, presented to the female track and field athlete, irrespective of nationality, adjudged to be the best in a given year (1993–2006 inclusive; not awarded in 2005)
  • Best Male Track Athlete ESPY Award, presented to the male track and field athlete, irrespective of nationality, adjudged to be the best in a given year (1993–2006 inclusive; not awarded in 2005)

    • Sponsored awards are those otherwise constituted as cross-cutter awards the titles and eligibility criteria of which reflect corporate sponsorship.

    References

    ESPY Award Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA