In a year where sports and comedy continue to intertwine more than ever, ESPN just made a bold—and widely praised—choice.
The network has tapped stand-up comic and devoted Notre Dame football fan Shane Gillis to host the 2025 ESPY Awards, and fans online are all in.
This marks Gillis’ first time leading the high-profile awards show, often dubbed the “Oscars of sports,” which will be held on July 16 in Los Angeles.
A Comedian With Serious Sports Cred
Gillis, who hails from Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, isn’t just cracking jokes—he’s also a genuine sports lover.
That combo made him the ideal pick, according to ESPN.
“I’m excited to be at The ESPYS this year,” Gillis said in a laid-back statement. “I like sports so this should be a good time.”
ESPN’s VP and Executive Producer of The ESPYS, Craig Lazarus, echoed that sentiment, saying, “Shane is not only one of the top comedians today, but also a huge sports fan, which made him an easy choice.”
Fans Applaud the Decision… Mostly
Not long after the announcement, sports and comedy fans lit up social media to give ESPN a virtual pat on the back.
“Best decision they could’ve ever made,” one fan gushed.
“This is going to be a good one!” another chimed in.
Of course, there was some confusion too. One user, seemingly unaware ESPN made the decision themselves, joked: “Uh oh, woke ESPN won’t like this one.”
Gillis and the ‘Anti-Woke’ Label
While Gillis is often praised by conservative fans as an “anti-woke” voice in comedy, his political takes don’t always follow that script.
He’s openly criticized Donald Trump, especially after the former president suggested military involvement in Gaza.
Gillis recalled on his podcast, Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast, “He was talking about sending our boys over there… I was like, ‘No, don’t say that you [expletive] idiot.’”
So, while some fans see him as a culture war figure, Gillis doesn’t fit neatly into any political box.
From ‘Tires’ to Touchdowns
Gillis has been riding high lately, thanks to the success of his Netflix series Tires, which just got renewed for a second season.
But this isn’t his first ESPN appearance.
He previously showed up on College Football GameDay in South Bend and managed to take some playful shots at Alabama’s legendary coach Nick Saban while rooting for his beloved Fighting Irish.
Poking the SEC Bear… Lightly
During that GameDay spot, Gillis joked that Notre Dame now has a real shot at winning thanks to new NIL (name, image, likeness) rules allowing players to get paid.
“Now that everybody can pay their players, Notre Dame has a shot—not just the SEC and Coach Saban,” he said with a wink. “I’m joking—is this not a fun show?”
But he didn’t stop there. Comparing Saban’s signature Fedora to Indiana Jones’ iconic hat, Gillis added, “Alabama Jones is very serious. Get the whip, Indy.”
Saban, for his part, wasn’t too thrilled.
Saban Fires Back Subtly
When asked about the comments, Saban stayed classy but slipped in a response.
“I do believe in integrity,” he said. “I always tried to run the program that way… That was how we cheated. We developed players.”
Translation? He didn’t appreciate Gillis’ jokes—but he wasn’t taking the bait either.
ESPYs’ History With Controversy
The ESPY Awards aren’t strangers to controversy themselves.
Last year’s ceremony sparked criticism for omitting O.J. Simpson from its ‘In Memoriam’ segment following his death in 2024.
Simpson, of course, was acquitted in the infamous 1994 double murder trial, but later found liable in civil court.
Despite the controversy, he’s still a significant figure in sports history—something the show didn’t acknowledge publicly.
Norm Macdonald’s Infamous Joke Still Echoes
OJ may not have been mentioned last year, but back in 1998, he was front and center during one of the ESPYs’ most memorable moments—courtesy of the late Norm Macdonald.
Macdonald roasted Simpson’s fall from grace during his monologue, telling 1997 Heisman winner Charles Woodson, “That is something no one can ever take away from you—unless you kill your wife and a waiter.”
That joke has since become legendary, resurfacing each year around ESPY season.
Macdonald, who died in 2021, set the bar for edgy ESPY hosting—something Gillis may just try to match.
What’s Next for the 2025 ESPYs?
With Shane Gillis taking the mic, this year’s ESPYs are shaping up to be unpredictable, irreverent, and packed with strong opinions.
Whether he stays light or pushes the envelope remains to be seen—but one thing’s for sure: people will be watching.