The ESPYS, ESPN’s annual awards show celebrating the year in sports, is set to air Wednesday night. Here’s everything you need to know about the show.
Fresh off his fourth NBA championship, Golden State Warriors’ star Steph Curry will be trying out his comedy chops as the host of Wednesday’s awards.
“It’s going to be some jokes, some entertainment, and we’re celebrating the year that was in sports. So y’all tune in,” Curry said in a video posted to social media.
Brittney Griner is still top of mind
While the ESPYS take place Wednesday, three mobile digital billboards demanding her release will drive around Hollywood — where the awards will be happening at Dolby Theatre. The billboards are an effort from Change.org in collaboration with Griner’s family and legal team, a representative for Change.org said.
The US State Department has said Griner is being wrongfully detained, but her release has yet to be secured.
Some have called ESPN out for its treatment of female athletes
This year’s ceremony has already been the subject of controversy.
Multiple female athletes admonished ESPN for nominating several women for categories, but not actually inviting them to the ceremony.
“In what world would (ESPN) nominate (Dydasco) for best NWSL player and then tell us that category is not invited to the ESPYS????????” Baxter wrote. “The constant disrespect for womens sports SMH.”
WNBA legend Dawn Staley, currently the head coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks, also spoke against the network’s treatment of female athletes, after her star player Aliyah Boston, nominated for “Best College Athlete,” was not offered an invite.
“Due to both Covid restrictions and a new venue with much less seating capacity than previous shows, the 2022 ESPYS prioritized athlete invitations to focus on specific awards that will be handed out during the broadcast,” ESPN told CNN in a statement.
How to watch the ESPYS
For those interested, the ESPYS will be airing live at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday evening on ABC.
Though Curry will host, celebrities from both entertainment and sports will be making appearances, including Odell Beckham Jr., Aubrey Plaza and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
