Espy Awards celebrate women while host Shane Gillis Edgy Weerhachen delivers
Host Shane Gillis brought his characteristic brand from combative humor to the opening monologue of the Espy Awards on Wednesday evening in Hollywood, and attracted a mixed reaction from the audience of professional athletes and Hollywood celebrities.
In contrast to the large volume of a plume that was granted over large figures, the punctures of the host came in women’s sports, including gymnast Simone Biles, rugby star Ilona Maher, recently retired football superstar Alex Morgan, Alex Morgan coacher Schumer-Coacher-Cawley. Olympic Turnast Suni Lee got the nod for the best comeback athlete, a mixed category for the gender.
Morgan and Taurasi were jointly honored with the Espys Icon Award for their work outside the game to promote women’s sports and improve working conditions for players.
“The way you opened doors for women outside the game is legendary,” Taurasi told Morgan. The dual Olympic football medal winner noted: “We both fought to leave our game in a better place than when we found it.”
Morgan added that their advocacy for wage equality for female athletes built on a base that was founded by previous generations. “We are on the shoulders of giants,” said Morgan. “Thanks to them, we never have to apologize for speaking or fighting to put the bar.”
Schumacher-Cawley, who fights against breast cancer, received the Jimmy V Award for perseverance. She spoke well about how her training as a athlete in team sports helped her to wage war with cancer.
“That sweater that we wear means everything, and the band we share is unbreakable,” said Schumacher-Cawley. “Sports are great, and these women and the women who came earlier have set the stage where we are now.”
Gillis recognized several times that the jokes did not land. In one example, the “tires” star said: “Donald Trump wants to organize a UFC fight on the Gazon of the White House. The last time he organized a fight in DC, Mike Pence almost died.” The answer was lukewarm, followed by a few scattered blows and cheers. Gillis then said to the audience: “Okay, you don’t have to do that. It was fine, I didn’t write it.”
Gillis saved the moment with a new joke at the expense of Donald Trump. He said, “Actually, there should be an Epstein joke here, but I think it has been removed. He probably removed himself, anyway? Probably never existed.”
Gillis also focused on WNBA Star Point Guard Caitlin Clark. He started with a joke: “It has been a large year for the WNBA. I love Caitlin Clark. She and I have a lot in common. We are both whites from the Midwest who have nailed many three.” Behind a so-so-reaction, Gillis added: “You go there, light up a bit. It is not serious. We will see this.”
Gillis then delivered a line that also fell flat in the Dolby theater: “When Caitlin Clark retires from the WNBA, she will work in a waffle house, so that she can continue to do what she loves the most: fist fights black women.”
Other highlights of the 2025 Espies were the Arthur Ashe Award for courage for pioneering black basketball player Oscar Robinson, who founded the NBA players Assn.
Earlier Espys gasters have included both sports legends and talents on large screen benefits. Those who have organized the ESPN Award show are Serena Williams, Stephen Curry, Anthony Mackie, Tracy Morgan, Danica Patrick and Peyton Manning.
