Hollywood sizzled on Wednesday, July 16, as the most important names in sports activities and leisure collided on the 2025 ESPY Awards, lighting up the Dolby Theatre for an evening of jaw-dropping wins, emotional tributes, unbelievable vogue, and unforgettable moments.
Hosted by comic Shane Gillis, the night kicked off with an ungainly and at instances risque monologue from the 37-year-old comedian, earlier than the highlight turned to the yr’s most epic athletic achievements.
In case you missed it, right here’s what went down finally evening’s award present.
Simone Biles Stole the Present—Once more, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander gained massive, and Oscar Robertson was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award for Braveness
Gymnastics queen Simone Biles twirled her option to Greatest Feminine Athlete and Greatest Championship Efficiency.
Sporting a glowing darkish blue Zac Posen robe, the seven-time Olympic gold medalist thanked ESPN for giving feminine athletes extra protection and illustration through the years. She additionally carved out a little bit of time to pay tribute to the victims misplaced within the tragic July 4th Texas Flash Floods.
“Earlier than I get into it, I first need to supply my honest condolences and prayers to all these impacted by the devastating flash flooding on July 4 in Central Texas,” the 28-year-old athlete mentioned. “Our phrases can’t substitute the ache, however our hearts are with you throughout this tragic time.”
Biles went on to thank her followers, household, and all the “teammates,” “rivals, and “coaches” that stood by her aspect through the years by way of thick and skinny.
The athlete took a psychological well being break through the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, sparking international conversations about athlete wellness and resilience. Her comeback in 2024 was nothing in need of legendary. The adorned gymnast led Crew USA to gold through the Girls’s Creative Gymnastics ultimate on the Paris Olympics, incomes her fifth gold medal within the course of.
“I wouldn’t be standing right here with out all of you,” she advised the group.
Biles’ massive win at Wednesday’s ceremony makes her a seven-time ESPY winner.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander cleaned up a serious win because the Greatest NBA Participant after main the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to their finest season in a decade.
“It’s a dream come true,” the 27-year-old level guard advised the group as he battled by way of nerves. “To realize your desires, it takes a village, and my village has been nothing in need of particular because the begin of this journey.”
In June, following his workforce’s 103-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Sport 7, Gilgeous-Alexander etched his identify into the historical past books by changing into one of many few gamers to win each the NBA MVP and Finals MVP in the identical season. In accordance with ESPN, the one others to realize this uncommon feat are Michael Jordan (4 instances), LeBron James (twice), Larry Chicken (twice), Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, Magic Johnson, Moses Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Willis Reed.
However he wasn’t the one NBA legend who gained massive. Oscar “The Massive O” Robertson obtained the distinguished Arthur Ashe Award for Braveness for his groundbreaking work in athlete labor rights. Whereas many keep in mind Robertson for his beautiful NBA profession with the Milwaukee Bucks, he was additionally a pioneer off the court docket. As president of the NBA Gamers Affiliation (1965–74), Robertson filed a historic antitrust lawsuit that led to trendy free company in professional basketball, a transfer that reshaped athlete empowerment throughout all sports activities, WISN famous.
Hit the flip to see extra highlights from the 2025 ESPY Awards.
Suni Lee was topped the Greatest Comeback Athlete, Coco Gauff gained her second ESPY, the Pink Carpet Sizzled, and Busta Rhymes introduced the beats.
Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee was honored as Greatest Comeback Athlete, and her story is likely one of the evening’s strongest moments. The Auburn College star returned to gymnastics in 2024 after publicly battling two uncommon kidney illnesses, defying odds and reclaiming her place as one of many sport’s largest athletes. Lee, 22, boasts 6 Olympic medals, together with an all-around gold at Tokyo 2020, three World Championship medals, together with 5 U.S. Championship medals.
“Successful this award means a lot greater than I can say,” the athlete mentioned as she accepted the award carrying a shimmering gold gown. “After I was recognized with two uncommon kidney illnesses, I used to be advised I’d by no means compete once more, however I refused to imagine that. There have been days once I felt scared, defeated, and alone, however I at all times discovered power round me.”
Lee thanked her mother and father and Dr. Marcia Faustin, the co-head doctor for the U.S. gymnastics ladies’s nationwide workforce, for his or her assist alongside the best way.
Though she wasn’t within the room, Coco Gauff gained Greatest Tennis Participant for the second yr in a row. The 20-year-old Grand Slam champion took to X to thank followers and have fun her win.
“Woke as much as discovering out I gained one other ESPY!! Ahhhh thank youuuu,” she wrote on July 17.
Busta Rhymes introduced the warmth with a high-energy efficiency of a few of his largest hits. The 53-year-old hip-hop icon turned the group up with a medley consisting of “Look At Me Now,” “Put Your Palms The place My Eyes Might See,” and his 2022 hit “Go the Courvoisier.”
And on the purple carpet, vogue sizzled. Ciara, who by no means misses an ESPY purple carpet, put collectively a fierce look to assist husband Russell Wilson. She turned heads in a smooth, off‑the‑shoulder champagne robe adorned with silver sequins and rhinestones, complemented by her platinum blonde waves, nude gloss, and a diamond choker.
Wilson surprised in a darkish blue velvet swimsuit jacket and black pants.
Olympian Jordan Chiles introduced main vogue power in a sculptural, woven Cong Tri mini‑gown. A dramatic half‑moon skirt, plunge neckline, and bubble‑skirt construction gave it a ballet‑meets‑avant‑garde really feel.
Water‑polo gold medalist Ashleigh Johnson closed out the evening in crisp type, rocking a large‑leg, quilted white swimsuit paired with a tiny trunk bag. She topped all of it off with baroque pearl chokers and cowrie shells braided by way of her hair.
Rounding out the standout seems, multi‑proficient LSU star Flau’jae Johnson turned heads in a smooth silver chain-link robe that completely showcased her sculpted arms.
Heroes Sloane Stephens, David Walters, Erin Regan, and extra had been honored.
The ESPYs weren’t nearly highlights and {hardware}. They honored real-life heroes, too. First Responders David Walters and Erin Regan–former athletes who now serve the Better L.A. space as firefighters—had been honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service. The duo battled the livid flames that impacted the Altadena and Palisades area of the town earlier this yr.
Katie Schumacher-Cawley, head coach of Penn State ladies’s volleyball, obtained the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, and tennis star Sloane Stephens was additionally honored on Wednesday, changing into the primary tennis participant to obtain the Muhammad Ali Sports activities Humanitarian Award for her philanthropy work with the Sloane Stephens Basis. The group gives underserved youngsters with tennis courses and empowers them to dream massive off the court docket.
“I’m so honored to be right here tonight, to simply accept this award within the identify of somebody who meant an excessive amount of to all of us,” Stephens advised the viewers on the ESPY Awards as she dazzled in a beaming white gown.
An alumnus of this system, Mia Parker, was within the viewers, watching Stephens as she gave her acceptance speech. With the assistance of the Sloane Stephens Basis, Parker was in a position to compete in nationwide junior tournaments and will attend Clark Atlanta College on a tennis scholarship, in line with Tennis.com.
“After I first met Mia, she was 9 years outdated, this tiny powerhouse with a backhand like she’d been taking part in eternally,” Stephens mentioned of the unbelievable pupil. “What I didn’t know then was that we had been beginning a journey collectively….this simply isn’t a ardour undertaking, it’s my function…and whereas I’m pleased with my titles, nothing compares to watching one in all our youngsters win at life.”
From Simone Biles’ continued dominance to Suni Lee’s braveness, from Coco Gauff’s rise to Oscar Robertson’s legacy, the 2025 ESPY Awards proved as soon as once more that greatness in sports activities is about extra than simply profitable; It’s about impression, coronary heart, and the tales that encourage us all. Check out a couple of different stars that gained massive finally evening’s ESPY Awards.
Extra Massive Winners:
Greatest WNBA Participant: Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever
Greatest School Athletes: JuJu Watkins (USC) & Cooper Flagg (Duke)
Greatest Report-Breaking Efficiency: Alexander Ovechkin, NHL all-time objectives chief
Greatest Soccer Participant: Christian Pulisic, AC Milan & USMNT
Greatest MLB Participant: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Greatest NFL Participant: Saquon Barkley, Eagles
Greatest Breakthrough Athlete: Ilona Maher, USA Rugby
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