Sports Award Show

Since 1993, ESPN has held a sports award show called the ESPY Awards. ESPY stands for Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly. With its loose format and jovial atmosphere, the ESPY Awards are a made-for-TV party worshipping athletes from all sports. It’s an unusual blend of athletes, sports personalities and celebrities from other fields.

The show follows the basic format of other entertainment award shows like the EMMYs, the Oscars and the Grammy Awards. A celebrity hosts the event and various other stars from the world of music, television, sports and film dole out the trophies. Actor Samuel Jackson has hosted the event four times. Comedian Dennis Miller, actor/singer Jamie Foxx and comedian Seth Myers have also hosted the awards more than once. Prior to 2004, the winners for each category were voted for by the fan base. Since 2004, various sportswriters, ESPN personalities and sports broadcasters have also voted for the winners. Candidates for the awards are nominated by the ESPY Select Nominating Committee.

The awards include individual and team achievements in the sporting world. Since the awards are not based on statistics or championships, the results are subjective and not impartial. Awards for Best Male Athlete or Best Female Athlete may be based on popularity rather than actual performance. Humanitarian causes are also recognized by the Arthur Ashe Courage Award which is given to an individual who made the most significant contribution to his community or the nation during the previous year. Awards like Best Game of the Year, Best Moment and Best Upset cross gender and sport, choosing a single winner from all of professional sports. Few sports are overlooked by the ESPYs, as fishing, bowling, golfing and horse racing have their own categories. This party wrapped up in an awards show is becoming more popular each year with athletes and fans alike.