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The ESPYS brought immoderate of nan biggest names successful sports and intermezo to New York City connected Wednesday night, a time that typically ranks among nan slowest connected nan sports calendar.
But this year’s ceremonial was preceded by a World Cup semifinal lucifer successful Atlanta that was already being described arsenic an instant classic. Lionel Messi and Argentina punched their summons to a 2nd consecutive World Cup last pinch a triumph complete England. The defending champions will meet Spain connected Saturday successful adjacent New Jersey, conscionable a short travel crossed nan Hudson River from wherever comedian Marcello Hernández opened nan ESPYS.
The "Saturday Night Live" prima wasted small clip taking a fewer jabs astatine Jake Paul, Tiger Woods and different sports figures.
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Marcello Hernández speaks onstage during nan 2026 ESPY Awards astatine David H. Koch Theater astatine Lincoln Center successful New York City. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
"Mike Tyson ripped my watch off. Welcome to nan ESPYS!" Hernández joked aft making a boxing-style entranceway successful a clothes pinch Tyson arsenic portion of his entourage.
"I must say, it's an grant to beryllium present among truthful galore awesome athletes, and Jake Paul," Hernández began successful his astir 10-minute monologue.
Paul appeared to return nan joke successful stride, laughing and applauding arsenic cameras trim to him successful nan crowd. Hernández past stayed connected nan YouTube star-turned-boxer, needling him complete his history of fighting older opponents.
"Jake, that's conscionable a joke. Don't conflict me," Hernández continued. "My dada and my stepdad are some here. They're complete 50, and I cognize that's really you for illustration them. So, conflict them instead."
Paul kept laughing arsenic Hernández’s spot played out, yet closing pinch nan comedian shifting attraction to his begetter and stepfather, who were shown successful nan audience.
Atmosphere astatine nan 2026 ESPYS astatine nan David H. Koch Theater astatine Lincoln Square connected July 15, 2026, successful New York, New York. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
Hernández later utilized Caleb Williams’ "Madden 27" screen arsenic a lead into Woods.
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"I want to congratulate Caleb Williams, nan backmost for nan Chicago Bears, who will beryllium connected nan screen of nan caller Madden video game. Congratulations to Caleb," Hernández said, earlier adding, "And Tiger Woods will beryllium connected nan screen of Grand Theft Auto."
Woods was arrested successful Florida successful March connected charges of DUI aft a car crash. The apprehension study said a lawman recovered symptom pills successful his pouch and observed signs of impairment astatine nan scene. Woods later announced he would return clip distant from play to activity treatment.
Hernández besides worked North Carolina shot coach Bill Belichick into nan monologue, utilizing nan 74-year-old’s narration pinch Jordon Hudson arsenic portion of a joke astir nan New York Knicks’ title drought.
"The Knicks won their first title since 1973. And to put into perceptive really agelong agone that was, successful 1973 lucky players didn't deterioration helmets, hoops had nary 3 constituent line. And successful 1973, Bill Belichick was nan property his woman is now."
The Knicks later took location nan ESPY for Best Team.
Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and different members of nan 2025-26 Knicks title squad took nan shape to judge nan award, but Josh Hart was noticeably absent. Brunson drew laughs erstwhile he joked, "I want to opportunity convey you to nan ESPYS for pulling Josh Hart’s invite."
Earlier successful nan nighttime Brunson besides received nan "Best Championship Performance" award.
Jalen Brunson accepts nan Best Championship Performance grant onstage during nan 2026 ESPY Awards astatine David H. Koch Theater astatine Lincoln Center successful New York City connected July 15, 2026. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P)
Former NBA subordinate Jason Collins, who died successful May astatine property 47 pursuing a conflict pinch Stage 4 glioblastoma, posthumously received nan Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. Former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott received nan Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, while Scott Ruskan was honored pinch nan Pat Tillman Award for Service.
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The ESPYS are held each summer, bringing together apical athletes and different stars to observe nan champion moments from nan past twelvemonth successful sports while honoring figures recognized for courage, work and impact. In past years, nan ceremonial has been held successful Los Angeles, but shifted to New York this year.
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Chantz Martin is simply a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
