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2023 ESPY Awards
open-in-new
<h2 id="ceremony-information">Ceremony information</h2> <p>For the first time, the ceremony forewent a single host due to the <a href="/facts/2023_Writers_Guild_of_America_strike/nHsgJ4EA">2023 Writers Guild of America strike</a>. <a href="/facts/Pat_McAfee/tCI5P94U">Pat McAfee</a> delivered an opening monologue, notably including a diss towards former ESPN personality <a href="/facts/Skip_Bayless/oUBpm9EQ">Skip Bayless</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:1" href="#fn:1"><sup>1</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2"><sup>2</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="winners-and-nominees">Winners and Nominees</h2> <table><tbody><tr><td><a href="/facts/Best_Male_Athlete_ESPY_Award/9RCKXDtY">Best Athlete, Men's Sports</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Patrick_Mahomes/x0vTtR8E">Patrick Mahomes</a> – <a href="/facts/Kansas_City_Chiefs/0Bjbyhfn">Kansas City Chiefs</a>, <a href="/facts/National_Football_League/cBH0hxRV">NFL</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Nikola_Joki%25C4%2587/nS6NLxY7">Nikola Jokić</a> – <a href="/facts/Denver_Nuggets/yWM1jcyG">Denver Nuggets</a>, <a href="/facts/National_Basketball_Association/Vd3EUFfa">NBA</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Aaron_Judge/Lfv3pYEm">Aaron Judge</a> – <a href="/facts/New_York_Yankees/FFNE7F0J">New York Yankees</a>, <a href="/facts/Major_League_Baseball/4WW9yef3">MLB</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Lionel_Messi/6nXmXIUH">Lionel Messi</a> – <a href="/facts/Argentina_national_football_team/wBNzXqUL">Argentina</a>, <a href="/facts/Argentine_Football_Association/uWuIYcUd">AFA</a></li></ul></li></ul></td><td><a href="/facts/Best_Female_Athlete_ESPY_Award/dVljAby5">Best Athlete, Women's Sports</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Mikaela_Shiffrin/BVuJ0r16">Mikaela Shiffrin</a> – <a href="/facts/Alpine_skiing/JpfFIynW">Ski</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Sophia_Smith_(soccer%2c_born_2000)/EMnIB3KE">Sophia Smith</a> – <a href="/facts/Portland_Thorns_FC/QxJV2PlR">Portland Thorns FC</a>, <a href="/facts/National_Women%2527s_Soccer_League/Ytc4Esmz">NWSL</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Iga_%25C5%259Awi%25C4%2585tek/fu1KH7gm">Iga Świątek</a> – <a href="/facts/Tennis/GwVaWdn0">Tennis</a></li><li><a href="/facts/A%2527ja_Wilson/lrwwal2h">A'ja Wilson</a> – <a href="/facts/Las_Vegas_Aces/F2PDQGTW">Las Vegas Aces</a>, <a href="/facts/Women%2527s_National_Basketball_Association/XsNIrXRF">WNBA</a></li></ul></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Best_Breakthrough_Athlete_ESPY_Award/IfrC5Kbx">Best Breakthrough Athlete</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Angel_Reese/sTtXCE68">Angel Reese</a> – <a href="/facts/LSU_Tigers_women%2527s_basketball/o8NmgR7C">LSU Women's Basketball</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Caitlin_Clark/5NL2FKI6">Caitlin Clark</a> – <a href="/facts/Iowa_Hawkeyes_women%2527s_basketball/zLSk2FTa">Iowa Women's Basketball</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Brock_Purdy/3MFp4lhV">Brock Purdy</a> – <a href="/facts/San_Francisco_49ers/k84dwG63">San Francisco 49ers</a>, <a href="/facts/National_Football_League/cBH0hxRV">NFL</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Julio_Rodr%25C3%25ADguez/gkJjI8w6">Julio Rodríguez</a> – <a href="/facts/Seattle_Mariners/oAn51uEd">Seattle Mariners</a>, <a href="/facts/Major_League_Baseball/4WW9yef3">MLB</a></li></ul></li></ul></td><td><a href="/facts/Best_Comeback_Athlete_ESPY_Award/B4fzaruh">Best Comeback Athlete</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Jamal_Murray/TlpGtBwR">Jamal Murray</a> – <a href="/facts/Denver_Nuggets/yWM1jcyG">Denver Nuggets</a>, <a href="/facts/National_Basketball_Association/Vd3EUFfa">NBA</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Jon_Jones/4hSUWUhe">Jon Jones</a> – <a href="/facts/Ultimate_Fighting_Championship/HDmhfp8N">UFC</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Alyssa_Thomas/F2UsuV6g">Alyssa Thomas</a> – <a href="/facts/Connecticut_Sun/zgKlg4fc">Connecticut Sun</a>, <a href="/facts/Women%2527s_National_Basketball_Association/XsNIrXRF">WNBA</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Justin_Verlander/U0bs4a91">Justin Verlander</a> – <a href="/facts/New_York_Mets/hYIMH7kG">New York Mets</a>, <a href="/facts/Houston_Astros/YVwXLuEM">Houston Astros</a>, <a href="/facts/Major_League_Baseball/4WW9yef3">MLB</a></li></ul></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Best_Male_College_Athlete_ESPY_Award/uRFG3yXT">Best College Athlete, Men's Sports</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Caleb_Williams/8nchvWBQ">Caleb Williams</a> – <a href="/facts/USC_Trojans_football/VYfIk4Qk">USC Football</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Duncan_McGuire_(soccer)/XwhPTflY">Duncan McGuire</a> – <a href="/facts/Creighton_Bluejays_men%2527s_soccer/X91QGh7M">Creighton soccer</a></li><li>Brennan O'Neill – <a href="/facts/Duke_Blue_Devils_men%2527s_lacrosse/qyu1J5ss">Duke lacrosse</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Zach_Edey/S3EYcK3G">Zach Edey</a> – <a href="/facts/Purdue_Boilermakers_men%2527s_basketball/gGTrrp78">Purdue Boilermakers basketball</a></li></ul></li></ul></td><td><a href="/facts/Best_Female_College_Athlete_ESPY_Award/w5ar89hX">Best College Athlete, Women's Sports</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Caitlin_Clark/5NL2FKI6">Caitlin Clark</a> – <a href="/facts/Iowa_Hawkeyes_women%2527s_basketball/zLSk2FTa">Iowa women's basketball</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Jordy_Bahl/wmFyDeTc">Jordy Bahl</a> – <a href="/facts/Oklahoma_Sooners_softball/58uzyN8k">Oklahoma Sooners softball</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Izzy_Scane/BAMrbBEv">Izzy Scane</a> – <a href="/facts/Northwestern_Wildcats_women%2527s_lacrosse/FcXpyTBB">Northwestern lacrosse</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Trinity_Thomas/azxWY5E6">Trinity Thomas</a> – <a href="/facts/Florida_Gators_women%2527s_gymnastics/vfuCXC4h">Florida Gators gymnastics</a></li></ul></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Outstanding_Team_ESPY_Award/CTPMb3bk">Best Team</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/2022_Kansas_City_Chiefs_season/9rbtXJeI">Kansas City Chiefs</a> – <a href="/facts/2022_NFL_season/8pPG1hvc">NFL</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/2022%25E2%2580%259323_Denver_Nuggets_season/SP3U6934">Denver Nuggets</a> – <a href="/facts/2022%25E2%2580%259323_NBA_season/GMxeEYLH">NBA</a></li><li><a href="/facts/2022_Georgia_Bulldogs_football_team/V9ahqrqW">Georgia Bulldogs</a>, <a href="/facts/2023_College_Football_Playoff_National_Championship/h46mVUBS">NCAA Division I FBS</a></li><li><a href="/facts/2022_Las_Vegas_Aces_season/2wdmgGVw">Las Vegas Aces</a> – <a href="/facts/2022_WNBA_season/SAXbd7DS">WNBA</a></li><li><a href="/facts/2022%25E2%2580%259323_LSU_Tigers_women%2527s_basketball_team/FWeKVStn">Louisiana State Tigers</a> – <a href="/facts/2023_NCAA_Division_I_women%2527s_basketball_tournament/Y1rk41PT">NCAA Women's Basketball</a></li><li><a href="/facts/2023_Oklahoma_Sooners_softball_team/pscStWcc">Oklahoma Sooners</a> – <a href="/facts/2023_Women%2527s_College_World_Series/Fnyqc9fI">Women's College World Series</a></li><li><a href="/facts/2022%25E2%2580%259323_Vegas_Golden_Knights_season/fYKyMJAG">Vegas Golden Knights</a> – <a href="/facts/2022%25E2%2580%259323_NHL_season/S2r0DJak">NHL</a></li></ul></li></ul></td><td>Best Championship Performance<ul><li><a href="/facts/Lionel_Messi/6nXmXIUH">Lionel Messi</a>, <a href="/facts/Argentina_national_football_team/wBNzXqUL">Argentina</a> – <a href="/facts/2022_FIFA_World_Cup_final/EkN3vJCk">2022 FIFA World Cup final</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Leon_Edwards/bwIjMGQP">Leon Edwards</a> – <a href="/facts/UFC_278/MuQGqYrw">UFC 278</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Nikola_Joki%25C4%2587/nS6NLxY7">Nikola Jokić</a>, <a href="/facts/2022%25E2%2580%259323_Denver_Nuggets_season/SP3U6934">Denver Nuggets</a> – <a href="/facts/2023_NBA_Finals/tH4sBoac">NBA Finals</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Rose_Zhang/8QYRdxfr">Rose Zhang</a>, <a href="/facts/LPGA/76Y2qjrq">LPGA</a></li></ul></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Best_Athlete_with_a_Disability_ESPY_Award/w23kkSYS">Best Athlete with a Disability</a><ul><li>Zach Miller, <a href="/facts/Snowboarding/sub2qDka">Snowboarding</a><ul><li>Erica McKee, <a href="/facts/United_States_women%2527s_national_ice_sledge_hockey_team/jLrtDs09">Sled Hockey Team</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Aaron_Pike_(athlete)/sRvrWc4L">Aaron Pike</a>, <a href="/facts/Wheelchair_racing/N8KYqbI6">Wheelchair racing</a> & <a href="/facts/Cross-country_skiing_(sport)/gE9cw586">Cross-country skiing</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Susannah_Scaroni/HuqabW5c">Susannah Scaroni</a>, <a href="/facts/Wheelchair_racing/N8KYqbI6">Wheelchair racing</a></li></ul></li></ul></td><td><a href="/facts/Best_Play_ESPY_Award/a8HBmdQ4">Best Play</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Justin_Jefferson/8TAXX8C6">Justin Jefferson</a> with the Catch of the Century<ul><li><a href="/facts/Michael_Block/u75bp9fP">Michael Block</a> Hole-in-One!</li><li>Ally Lemos with the perfect corner to tie the National Championship game</li><li><a href="/facts/Trinity_Thomas/azxWY5E6">Trinity Thomas</a> Perfect 10 Tying the All-Time NCAA Record</li></ul></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Best_Record-Breaking_Performance_ESPY_Award/MmSfdxq4">Best Record-Breaking Performance</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/LeBron_James/Xv3hTFum">LeBron James</a> surpasses <a href="/facts/Kareem_Abdul-Jabbar/nrwEtxUG">Kareem Abdul-Jabbar</a> for NBA career scoring record<ul><li><a href="/facts/Novak_Djokovic/331DGEut">Novak Djokovic</a> breaks <a href="/facts/Rafael_Nadal/uPWzC89o">Rafael Nadal</a> record for most Grand Slam titles (23)</li><li><a href="/facts/Mikaela_Shiffrin/BVuJ0r16">Mikaela Shiffrin</a> breaks the record for the most World Cup victories with her 87th win</li><li><a href="/facts/Max_Verstappen/buQVyeD4">Max Verstappen</a> wins the <a href="/facts/2022_Mexico_City_Grand_Prix/wtIkUKls">Mexican Grand Prix</a>, breaking the record for most wins in a season</li></ul></li></ul></td><td><a href="/facts/Best_NFL_Player_ESPY_Award/qgrhhyza">Best NFL Player</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Patrick_Mahomes/x0vTtR8E">Patrick Mahomes</a> – <a href="/facts/Kansas_City_Chiefs/0Bjbyhfn">Kansas City Chiefs</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Nick_Bosa/bF0rFyPY">Nick Bosa</a> – <a href="/facts/San_Francisco_49ers/k84dwG63">San Francisco 49ers</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Jalen_Hurts/BaIhx38F">Jalen Hurts</a> – <a href="/facts/Philadelphia_Eagles/5uANV1EE">Philadelphia Eagles</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Justin_Jefferson/8TAXX8C6">Justin Jefferson</a> – <a href="/facts/Minnesota_Vikings/BvYzMuoJ">Minnesota Vikings</a></li></ul></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Best_Major_League_Baseball_Player_ESPY_Award/jYLv9tGE">Best MLB Player</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Shohei_Ohtani/qssI32tx">Shohei Ohtani</a> – <a href="/facts/Los_Angeles_Angels/CFQ2Mxqh">Los Angeles Angels</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Paul_Goldschmidt/ClrkvbFu">Paul Goldschmidt</a> – <a href="/facts/St._Louis_Cardinals/rPQxQGwq">St. Louis Cardinals</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Aaron_Judge/Lfv3pYEm">Aaron Judge</a> – <a href="/facts/New_York_Yankees/FFNE7F0J">New York Yankees</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Justin_Verlander/U0bs4a91">Justin Verlander</a> – <a href="/facts/Houston_Astros/YVwXLuEM">Houston Astros</a></li></ul></li></ul></td><td><a href="/facts/Best_NHL_Player_ESPY_Award/z80hSXmQ">Best NHL Player</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Connor_McDavid/qkoKXGFj">Connor McDavid</a> – <a href="/facts/Edmonton_Oilers/2YvX9ghz">Edmonton Oilers</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Jonathan_Marchessault/VU0t5f1S">Jonathan Marchessault</a> – <a href="/facts/Vegas_Golden_Knights/u1NQo9j7">Vegas Golden Knights</a></li><li><a href="/facts/David_Pastr%25C5%2588%25C3%25A1k/u8krtdHK">David Pastrňák</a> – <a href="/facts/Boston_Bruins/mXnKmXqJ">Boston Bruins</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Linus_Ullmark/M7fy3IYN">Linus Ullmark</a> – Boston Bruins</li></ul></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Best_NBA_Player_ESPY_Award/GkErfs85">Best NBA Player</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Nikola_Joki%25C4%2587/nS6NLxY7">Nikola Jokić</a> – <a href="/facts/Denver_Nuggets/yWM1jcyG">Denver Nuggets</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Jimmy_Butler/LRd56CVl">Jimmy Butler</a> – <a href="/facts/Miami_Heat/m7zgmdyH">Miami Heat</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Joel_Embiid/ju0nGQfL">Joel Embiid</a> – <a href="/facts/Philadelphia_76ers/Nm4vpbJY">Philadelphia 76ers</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Jayson_Tatum/EV5C8aer">Jayson Tatum</a> – <a href="/facts/Boston_Celtics/kAm5yWCJ">Boston Celtics</a></li></ul></li></ul></td><td><a href="/facts/Best_WNBA_Player_ESPY_Award/M42urjva">Best WNBA Player</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/A%2527ja_Wilson/lrwwal2h">A'ja Wilson</a> – Las Vegas Aces<ul><li><a href="/facts/Skylar_Diggins-Smith/nLskJaH1">Skylar Diggins-Smith</a> – <a href="/facts/Phoenix_Mercury/jLVmKojI">Phoenix Mercury</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Candace_Parker/YjgS35EK">Candace Parker</a> – <a href="/facts/Chicago_Sky/P0VhjPLp">Chicago Sky</a>, <a href="/facts/Las_Vegas_Aces/F2PDQGTW">Las Vegas Aces</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Breanna_Stewart/aAKAAw4N">Breanna Stewart</a> – <a href="/facts/Seattle_Storm/1dL6ND27">Seattle Storm</a>, <a href="/facts/New_York_Liberty/UmRGvfAf">New York Liberty</a></li></ul></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Best_Soccer_Player_ESPY_Award/C32H63Ag">Best Soccer Player</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Lionel_Messi/6nXmXIUH">Lionel Messi</a> – <a href="/facts/Argentina_national_football_team/wBNzXqUL">Argentina</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Aitana_Bonmat%25C3%25AD/MUGClFgh">Aitana Bonmatí</a> – <a href="/facts/FC_Barcelona_Femen%25C3%25AD/I1SL7CzA">FC Barcelona Femení</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Erling_Haaland/DKPuN1U0">Erling Haaland</a> – <a href="/facts/Manchester_City_F.C./wtCrlIju">Manchester City F.C.</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Sophia_Smith_(soccer%2c_born_2000)/EMnIB3KE">Sophia Smith</a> – <a href="/facts/Portland_Thorns_FC/QxJV2PlR">Portland Thorns FC</a></li></ul></li></ul></td><td><a href="/facts/Best_Driver_ESPY_Award/pY0Tdllj">Best Driver</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Max_Verstappen/buQVyeD4">Max Verstappen</a> – <a href="/facts/Formula_One/BwdePyWY">Formula One</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Brittany_Force/CrXwv73r">Brittany Force</a>, <a href="/facts/National_Hot_Rod_Association/xes55LB9">NHRA</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Kyle_Larson/qmmBe5Cc">Kyle Larson</a>, <a href="/facts/NASCAR/k0C0366n">NASCAR</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Josef_Newgarden/eUKuhs3x">Josef Newgarden</a>, <a href="/facts/IndyCar/RHY5RVHs">IndyCar</a></li></ul></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Best_Golfer_ESPY_Award/PlXgg8Fr">Best Golfer</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Scottie_Scheffler/s6lT6C4n">Scottie Scheffler</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Wyndham_Clark/lLSV6fW1">Wyndham Clark</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Nelly_Korda/cswyM76I">Nelly Korda</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Jon_Rahm/4cusdFxR">Jon Rahm</a></li></ul></li></ul></td><td><a href="/facts/Best_Boxer_ESPY_Award/9uL9bxIn">Best Boxer</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Claressa_Shields/D17gFz9F">Claressa Shields</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Gervonta_Davis/4kn6fPjg">Gervonta Davis</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Devin_Haney/7f93G18I">Devin Haney</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Shakur_Stevenson/ykJSdgfz">Shakur Stevenson</a></li></ul></li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><a href="/facts/Best_MMA_Fighter_ESPY_Award/cs0EhfMX">Best UFC Fighter</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Jon_Jones/4hSUWUhe">Jon Jones</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Leon_Edwards/bwIjMGQP">Leon Edwards</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Islam_Makhachev/q84HXHXb">Islam Makhachev</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Amanda_Nunes/s3SQRyKr">Amanda Nunes</a></li></ul></li></ul></td><td>Best Tennis Player<ul><li><a href="/facts/Novak_Djokovic/331DGEut">Novak Djokovic</a><ul><li><a href="/facts/Carlos_Alcaraz/Lmx6BdgI">Carlos Alcaraz</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Aryna_Sabalenka/fBBYGI01">Aryna Sabalenka</a></li><li><a href="/facts/Iga_%25C5%259Awi%25C4%2585tek/fu1KH7gm">Iga Świątek</a></li></ul></li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table> <h2 id="honorary-awards">Honorary awards</h2> <a href="/facts/Jimmy_V_Award/VkbGVKxP">Jimmy V Award</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Liam_Hendriks/EhfuJAVL">Liam Hendriks</a></li> <li></li></ul> <a href="/facts/Arthur_Ashe_Courage_Award/4uhCuAgj">Arthur Ashe Courage Award</a> <ul><li><a href="/facts/United_States_women%2527s_national_soccer_team/bkyaGGft">United States women's national soccer team</a></li> <li></li></ul> Pat Tillman Award for Service <ul><li><a href="/facts/Buffalo_Bills/AEmAPcBQ">Buffalo Bills</a> training staff<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a></li> <li></li></ul> Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award <ul><li><a href="/facts/Jrue_Holiday/IjIdE0sf">Jrue Holiday</a> and <a href="/facts/Lauren_Holiday/DYwKKsEN">Lauren Holiday</a></li> <li></li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="http://www.espn.com/espys/">ESPN: Serving sports fans. Anytime. Anywhere. – ESPN</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"The 2023 ESPYS Will Not Have a Host For the First Time in History". The Big Lead. July 7, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023. <a href="https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/the-2023-espys-no-host-01h4q3js2ves" target="_blank">https://www.thebiglead.com/posts/the-2023-espys-no-host-01h4q3js2ves</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Rasmussen, Karl (July 12, 2023). "Pat McAfee Roasts Skip Bayless During Rowdy ESPYs Monologue". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 13, 2023. <a href="https://www.si.com/media/2023/07/13/pat-mcafee-roasts-skip-bayless-rowdy-espys-monologue" target="_blank">https://www.si.com/media/2023/07/13/pat-mcafee-roasts-skip-bayless-rowdy-espys-monologue</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"The 2023 ESPYS Nominees". espnpressroom.com. June 21, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023. <a href="https://espnpressroom.com/us/the-2023-espys-nominees/" target="_blank">https://espnpressroom.com/us/the-2023-espys-nominees/</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>