The 2025 ESPYS Presented by Capital One, aired live earlier tonight from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and streamed on ESPN+. The ESPYS Honored: Simone Biles, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Suni Lee, Ilona Maher, Alexander Ovechkin, the Philadelphia Eagles & More, and was Hosted by comedian Shane Gillis, and the Awards Show Featured Appearances from Angela Bassett, Ciara, Flau’jae Johnson, Leslie Jones, Chloe Kim, Ilona Maher, Anthony Ramos, Russell Westbrook & Russell Wilson. Below photo of L – R: Lindsey Vonn, Ciara and Brooks Nader: The annual event, presented by ESPN, brings together elite athletes, celebrities and sports fans to celebrate the most memorable achievements, moments and stories from the past year in sports.
This year’s ceremony features appearances by superstar athletes such as Simone Biles, A’ja Wilson, Josh Allen, and Shohei Ohtani, all vying for top honors, including Best Athlete of the Year. Major awards for the evening include the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, presented to NBA legend Oscar Robertson; the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, awarded to Penn State women’s volleyball head coach Katie Schumacher-Cawley; and the Pat Tillman Award for Service, given to Los Angeles first responders David Walters and Erin Regan.
Some of the biggest stars in sports and entertainment gathered at The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles to celebrate the year’s best moments in sports at The 2025 ESPYS. The show, which aired live on ABC and streamed on ESPN+ in pattern with ABC airings across time zones, was hosted by comedian, actor, and writer Shane Gillis, who delivered a sharp opening monologue, poking fun at everyone from Aaron Rodgers and Bill Belichick to Simone Biles and Shohei Ohtani.
Leading the nominations was Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley with three nods, which included Best Athlete: Men’s Sports. Up against him in that category? Josh Allen from the Buffalo Bills, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
And that’s not all for Ohtani who joined an elite club of athletes—including Simone Biles—who earned two nominations that night. Biles faced off against Stephen Curry, World Series MVP Freddie Freeman and golf champion Rory McIlroy in the Best Championship Performance category, with the Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast taking the win.
What’s more, the award ceremony saw a Team USA Olympic reunion with rugby player Ilona Maher and fellow “Golden Girls” gymnasts Suni Lee and Jordan Chiles also in attendance, and the athletic prowess wasn’t only limited to those nominated. In fact, rapper Busta Rhymes joined college basketball star Flau’jae Johnson to present the first trophy of the evening.
But the biggest award of the night was reserved for former WNBA player Diana Taurasi and former USWNT soccer star Alex Morgan who both received the Icon Award for their exemplary work in athletics. Past recipients have included Kobe Bryant and most recently Nick Saban, who were recognized for their legendary impact in sports.
USA Olympic Gold Medal Winning Gymnast: Simone Arianne Biles Owens. The 4 foot 8 inch Biles, is an American artistic gymnast. Her 11 Olympic medals and 30 World Championship medals make her the most decorated gymnast in history. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest gymnasts of all time and one of the greatest Olympians of all time. With 11 Olympic medals, she is tied with Věra Čáslavská as the second-most decorated female Olympic gymnast, and has the most Olympic medals earned by a U.S. gymnast.
At the Olympic Games, Biles is a two-time gold medalist in the individual all-around (2016, 2024). She is also a two-time champion on vault (2016, 2024), the 2016 champion and 2024 silver medalist on floor exercise, and a two-time bronze medalist on balance beam (2016, 2020). Biles led the gold medal-winning United States teams in 2016, dubbed the “Final Five,” and in 2024, dubbed the “Golden Girls”. At the 2020 Summer Olympics, where she was favored to win at least four of the six available gold medals, she withdrew from most of the competition after the qualification round due to “the twisties”, a temporary loss of air awareness while performing twisting elements. She won a silver medal with the United States team nicknamed the “Fighting Four” : 
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Suni Lee, Ilona Maher, Alexander Ovechkin, the NFL Superbowl Champions: Philadelphia Eagles, and Sloane Stephens took home some of the biggest awards of the evening. The show featured appearances by Angela Bassett, Ciara, Flau’jae Johnson, Leslie Jones, Chloe Kim, Ilona Maher, Anthony Ramos, Russell Westbrook, Russell Wilson, and in a beautiful white dress: Chari Hawkins:
Each year, The ESPYS recognizes individuals in the sports world who have demonstrated admirable strength and bravery in the face of adversity with three marquee awards: the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, and the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
Former NBA World Champion with the Milwaukee Bucks: Oscar Robertson was nicknamed “the Big O”, is an American former professional basketball player who played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He had everything: he was bigger, faster and smarter than anybody else competing against him, he had a better dribbling technique, shot and pass than all of them. For his time, he was borderline revolutionary, one of these guys who comes into the league and is a new example right from his rookie season.
As a 12-time All-Star, 11-time member of the All-NBA Team, and winner of the 1964 MVP, Robertson is considered to be one of the greatest point guards of all time. In 1962, he became the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season (the only player in history besides Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokić). In the 1970–71 NBA season, he was a key player on the team that brought the Bucks their first NBA title. That season he was paired with the young Lew Alcindor, who would years later become the all-time NBA scoring leader as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. With Alcindor in the low post and Robertson running the back-court, the Bucks charged to a league-best 66–16 record, including a then-record 20-game win streak, a dominating 12–2 record in the 1971 NBA playoffs, and crowned their season with the NBA title by sweeping the Baltimore Bullets 4–0 in the 1971 NBA Finals:
The “Big O” was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his fight to establish free agency in the NBA. The award is given to a deserving member of the sports world who has made a difference beyond the field of play by fighting for what they believe in, ultimately impacting people worldwide. Russell Westbrook: 
presented Robertson with the award, who accepted saying, “In life, it is important to be persistent, or as I have been called, stubborn. Stubborn about what you believe in. It is important to do the right thing even if it comes at great personal sacrifice…I realized that helping others and looking out for more than just yourself improves whatever community of which you are part of.”
Penn State University women’s volleyball head coach, Katie Schumacher-Cawley, received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance for leading her team to the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship while battling breast cancer. After Russell Wilson presented her with the award, the crowd gave her a standing ovation. Cawley delivered an emotional speech, saying, “Cancer changed my life, but it didn’t take it. It didn’t take my belief, it didn’t take my spirit, and it didn’t take my team…I share this [award] with everyone who’s ever faced this disease – the survivors, those still fighting, and the ones we’ve lost, especially my dad – this is for you. Keep showing up, keep believing, and please never ever give up.”
Academy Award Winner: Angela Bassett presented greater Los Angeles first responders and former athletes David Walters and Erin Regan with the Pat Tillman Award for Service, which is given to a person with a strong connection to sports who has served others in a way that echoes the legacy of the former NFL player and U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman. Both Walters and Regan were on the front lines battling extreme winds and fire behavior while tragically losing colleagues and working tirelessly to defend their city in one of the most devastating fires in Los Angeles history.
Former WNBA player Diana Taurasi and former USWNT player Alex Morgan were honored with the Icon Award, recognizing their legendary careers and lasting impact on and off the field. Morgan thanked the powerful women who came before her, saying, “We fought to leave the game a better place than where we found it, just as the generation before us did. We wouldn’t be here without those women paving the way, giving us the confidence and will to play, to fight, to advocate, to be on this stage. We’re standing on the shoulders of giants. To the women who came before us, it’s because of you that we never have to apologize for speaking up or for fighting to raise the bar. It’s because of you that we’re able to be an Olympian, a businesswoman, and a mom. It’s because of you that we have no limits.”
Taurasi thanked her family for inspiring her to follow her passion, saying “They’re who believed in us before anyone else did, and in my case, I owe that to my parents and their immigrant grit. That’s the stuff that doesn’t show up in the highlight reels, but it shows up when the lights are off and you’re still out there grinding. Grit to give me a better life. That’s what built my career, and it is what built this country. To the next generation, keep going. Don’t wait for someone to hand you anything. Outwork them. Be loyal. Bring that damn fire every day. We’re proof you can do it. We did it our way, no shortcuts, no apologies and no regrets.”
Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard and Pat McAfee delivered a moving tribute to their colleague and broadcast legend Lee Corso, and the USC marching band surprised Corso(in the Blue suit with USC Trojans Helmet) and the audience with a performance following his acceptance speech: 
The show featured special musical performances from Grammy-nominated rapper Busta Rhymes: 
acclaimed hip-hop duo Clipse, and rising rap superstar GELO: 
along with a powerful In Memoriam tribute led by Grammy-nominated artist and multi-hyphenate Tobe Nwigwe featuring David Michael Wyatt.
Additional presenters included Alison Brie, Druski, Damar Hamlin, Jon Jones, Tennis Legend Billie Jean King, who is also known as BJK, is an American former world No. 1 tennis player. King won 39 Grand Slam titles: 12 in singles, 16 in women’s doubles, and 11 in mixed doubles. She was a member of the victorious United States team in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups: 
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Matthew Stafford, Gabby Thomas and Lindsey Vonn. Attendees included Jordan Chiles, Whitney Cummings, Lamar Jackson, Kyle and Kristin Juszczyk, and Suni Lee: 
Brooks Nader revived the 90’s slip dress at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles as she walked the red carpet for the star-studded ESPY Awards 2025. The “Dancing With the Stars” alum presented one of the awards of the night. Known for her bold fashion choices, Nader wore a white silk slip dress by Saint Laurent sourced by Janet Mandell. The garment featured a deep plunging neckline with thin spaghetti straps that create a halter-style silhouette. The bias-cut construction allowed the fabric to drape closely to the body, creating a column silhouette that extends to floor length:
The dress embodied the current trend of ’90s-inspired slip dressing that has been seen on recent red carpets, emphasizing clean lines and sensual minimalism. Nader completed the look with her straight blond hair styled in loose waves that cascade over one shoulder. Her makeup accentuated a bronzed, sculpted look, featuring nude-toned lips and defined eyes.
The model used her latest red-carpet moment to promote her partnership with the feminine hygiene brand U by Kotex on Instagram. “The last time I wore all white, I had a mishap, and it made headlines. This time, I’m not taking any chances and brought backup. Thanks for the assist, U by Kotex,” she wrote on Instagram. In recent years, Nader has continued to rise in the public eye with high-profile modeling gigs, magazine features and notable public appearances. She was among the many guests at the Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez wedding in Venice in June. The model also attended The Championships, Wimbledon earlier in July, wearing a look from Lipsy London: 
Also attending was Football Hall of Fame member: Terrell Owens, also known by his initials “T.O.”, is an American former professional football wide receiver who played 15 seasons in the National Football League. Regarded as one of the greatest wide receivers of all time, Owens ranks third in NFL history in career receiving yards and receiving touchdowns: 
The ESPYS helps raise awareness and funds for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, the charity founded by ESPN and the late basketball coach Jim Valvano at the first ESPYS in 1993. ESPN has helped raise more than $265 million for the V Foundation over the past 32 years. For more information, go to V.org.
COMPLETE LIST OF THE 2025 ESPYS WINNERS:
Best Athlete – Men’s Sports – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Best Athlete – Women’s Sports – Simone Biles, Gymnast
Best Breakthrough Athlete – Ilona Maher, Team USA Rugby
Best Record-Breaking Performance – Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals – NHL All-Time Goals Leader
Best Championship Performance – Simone Biles, 2024 Olympics Women’s All-Around
Best Comeback Athlete – Suni Lee, Gymnast
Best Play – Saquon Barkley’s backwards hurdle, NFL (11/3/24)
Best Team – Philadelphia Eagles, NFL
Best College Athlete – Men’s Sports – Cooper Flagg, Duke Basketball
Best College Athlete – Women’s Sports – JuJu Watkins, USC Basketball
Best Athlete With A Disability – Noah Elliott, Snowboard
Best NFL Player – Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Best MLB Player – Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers
Best NHL Player – Leon Draisaitl, Edmonton Oilers
Best NBA Player – Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Best WNBA Player – Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Best Driver – Max Verstappen, F1
Best UFC Fighter – Merab Dvalishvili
Best Boxer – Katie Taylor
Best Soccer Player – Christian Pulisic, AC Milan, US
Best Golfer – Scottie Scheffler
Best Tennis Player – Coco Gauff
Gatorade Best Female Player of the Year – Jane Hendengren, Cross Country, Track and Field
Gatorade Best Male Player of the Year – Cameron Boozer, Basketball
SPECIAL AWARDS:
Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: Katie Schumacher-Cawley
Arthur Ashe Award for Courage: Oscar Robertson
Pat Tillman Award for Service: David Walters and Erin Regan
SPORTS HUMANITARIAN AWARDS:
Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award: Sloane Stephens
Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award: Maegha Ramanathan, Rishin Tandon, Ian Waite
Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year: Indianapolis Colts
Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award Honoree: Billy Bean
Sports Philanthropist of the Year Honoree: Michele Kang
Corporate Community Impact Award: Buffalo Wild Wings
About The ESPYS
The 2025 ESPYS Presented by Capital One was aired live from The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and will streamed live on ESPN+. The ESPYS will also be available to stream on-demand the next day on Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Top celebrities from sports and entertainment will come together to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major athletic achievements, reliving unforgettable moments, and saluting the leading performers and performances. The ESPYS help to raise awareness and funds for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, the charity founded by ESPN and the late basketball coach Jim Valvano at the first ESPYS back in 1993. ESPN has helped raise more than $265 million for the V Foundation over the past 32 years. The ESPYS are co-produced by ESPN and Full Day Productions. Follow The 2025 ESPYS on X/Twitter @ESPYS.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded over $400 million in game-changing cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations are awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to accelerating Victory Over Cancer®. To learn more, visit v.org.
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