The 2024 ESPY Awards celebrated the top athletes, teams, and unforgettable moments in sports over the preceding year. Hosted by 23-time Grand Slam tennis champion Serena Williams at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on July 11, 2024, the ceremony featured major honors for Patrick Mahomes, A'ja Wilson, Caitlin Clark, and the South Carolina Gamecocks, along with emotional tributes to Steve Gleason and Dawn Staley.
Overview of the 2024 ESPY Awards
The 32nd annual ESPY Awards (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Awards) brought together elite competitors across professional, collegiate, and Olympic disciplines to reflect on the 2023–2024 sports season. Broadcast live on ABC from the iconic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California, the event served as a bridge between the summer championship seasons and the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Hosting duties were handed to sports legend Serena Williams, who brought comedic timing, personal insight, and high energy to the stage. Williams joined an elite group of athletes to host the show, opening with a monologue that touched on major headlines across football, basketball, tennis, and the rapid growth of women's athletics.
Throughout the night, the ceremony balanced lighthearted entertainment with powerful, inspiring storytelling. Categories recognized outstanding individual statistical achievements, championship runs, unexpected comebacks, and breakthrough rookie performances. In addition, three humanitarian and courage awards provided deeply moving centerpieces to the broadcast.
Key Headline Winners: Best Athletes and Best Team
Best Athlete, Men's Sports: Patrick Mahomes
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes secured the award for Best Athlete, Men's Sports, capping off a dominant NFL campaign. Mahomes led the Chiefs to a second consecutive Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl LVIII against the San Francisco 49ers, cementing Kansas City's status as a modern sports dynasty.
During the 2023 season, Mahomes demonstrated elite leadership and adaptability, maneuvering through challenging postseason matchups on the road before triumphing in Las Vegas. In addition to winning the marquee men's award, Mahomes was named Best NFL Player.
Best Athlete, Women's Sports: A'ja Wilson
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson claimed the trophy for Best Athlete, Women's Sports. Wilson’s dominant play propelled the Aces to their second straight WNBA championship in late 2023, where she earned WNBA Finals MVP honors.
Wilson's impact extended beyond scoring and rebounding; her elite interior defense made her one of the most dominant two-way forces in professional basketball history. During her acceptance speech, Wilson emphasized the momentum behind women’s sports and credited her teammates and coaching staff for maintaining a championship standard.
Best Team: South Carolina Gamecocks Women's Basketball
The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team took home the coveted Best Team award following a flawless 38-0 season that culminated in the 2024 NCAA National Championship. Head coach Dawn Staley guided a reorganized roster to complete perfection, avenging their previous season's Final Four exit and securing the program's third national title.
The Gamecocks overcame stiff competition throughout the NCAA Tournament, relying on deep rotation depth, interior dominance, and high-level defensive discipline. Receiving the award on stage, the players praised Coach Staley for fostering a culture of resilience and excellence.
Special Honorees: Courage, Perseverance, and Service
The ESPY Awards have long been defined by three honorary awards named after historical figures in sports and public service: the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, and the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
Arthur Ashe Award for Courage: Steve Gleason
Former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason was presented with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. Diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) in 2011, Gleason has dedicated his life to advocating for individuals living with neuromuscular diseases through his foundation, Team Gleason.
Gleason, speaking via assistive speech technology, delivered a profound message on human resilience, vulnerability, and love. His son, Rivers, helped present the award alongside Saints legend Drew Brees. Gleason’s relentless efforts have helped pass federal legislation improving access to speech-generating devices for patients nationwide.
Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: Dawn Staley
South Carolina Head Coach Dawn Staley received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, named in honor of the late basketball coach Jim Valvano. Beyond her unmatched coaching record in 2024, Staley was recognized for her tireless work raising awareness for bone marrow donation and pediatric cancer research.
Staley used her platform to advocate for health equity, sharing personal stories regarding her sister’s battle with leukemia and the ongoing fight against cancer within the sports community. Her speech reinforced Jim Valvano’s legendary mantra: "Don't give up. Don't ever give up."
Pat Tillman Award for Service: Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex
The Pat Tillman Award for Service was presented to Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, in recognition of his founding of the Invictus Games Foundation. Established in 2014, the Invictus Games provide an international adaptive sports platform for wounded, injured, and sick military service personnel and veterans.
Former NFL player and military veteran Tillman’s legacy was honored as Prince Harry accepted the award on behalf of the thousands of international service members who have found healing and community through adaptive athletics.
Complete 2024 ESPY Awards Winners List
The following table provides a comprehensive overview of the winners across all major award categories at the 2024 ESPY Awards:
| Award Category | 2024 Winner | Sport / Organization |
|---|---|---|
| Best Athlete, Men's Sports | Patrick Mahomes | Football / Kansas City Chiefs |
| Best Athlete, Women's Sports | A'ja Wilson | Basketball / Las Vegas Aces |
| Best Team | South Carolina Gamecocks | College Basketball (NCAA) |
| Best Breakthrough Athlete | JuJu Watkins | College Basketball / USC |
| Best Record-Breaking Performance | Caitlin Clark | College Basketball / Iowa |
| Best Championship Performance | Jaylen Brown | Basketball / Boston Celtics |
| Best Comeback Athlete | Simone Biles | Gymnastics / Team USA |
| Best Play | Lamar Jackson | Football / Baltimore Ravens |
| Best Game | Michigan vs. Alabama (Rose Bowl) | College Football (NCAA) |
| Best Coach | Dawn Staley | College Basketball / South Carolina |
| Best NFL Player | Patrick Mahomes | Football / Kansas City Chiefs |
| Best NBA Player | Luka Dončić | Basketball / Dallas Mavericks |
| Best WNBA Player | A'ja Wilson | Basketball / Las Vegas Aces |
| Best MLB Player | Shohei Ohtani | Baseball / Los Angeles Angels & Dodgers |
| Best NHL Player | Connor McDavid | Hockey / Edmonton Oilers |
| Best Driver | Max Verstappen | Auto Racing / Formula 1 |
| Best Tennis Player | Coco Gauff | Tennis / WTA |
| Best Soccer Player | Aitana Bonmatí | Soccer / FC Barcelona & Spain |
| Best College Athlete, Men's Sports | Jayden Daniels | College Football / LSU |
| Best College Athlete, Women's Sports | Caitlin Clark | College Basketball / Iowa |
| Arthur Ashe Award for Courage | Steve Gleason | NFL Alumni / Team Gleason |
| Jimmy V Award for Perseverance | Dawn Staley | College Basketball / South Carolina |
| Pat Tillman Award for Service | Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex | Invictus Games Foundation |
Top Highlights and Unforgettable Moments
Serena Williams’ Monologue and Sisterly Banter
Serena Williams set an energetic tone from the broadcast's opening minutes. Taking the stage in Los Angeles, she poked fun at major sports figures, commented on pop culture disputes, and celebrated the booming audience numbers for women's sports.
A standout moment arrived when her sister, Venus Williams, and actress Quinta Brunson joined her on stage. The trio humorously discussed the physical demands of high-level tennis while encouraging viewers to continue supporting women's professional leagues across basketball, soccer, and tennis.
Caitlin Clark’s Record-Setting Evening
Former Iowa Hawkeyes superstar Caitlin Clark added to her historic year by taking home two ESPY Awards: Best Record-Breaking Performance and Best College Athlete, Women's Sports.
Clark earned the record-breaking honor after surpassing Pete Maravich to become the NCAA Division I all-time leading scorer in college basketball history. Clark’s long-range shooting and playmaking drew unprecedented television ratings during the 2024 March Madness tournament, cementing her status as a generational phenomenon before her entry into the WNBA with the Indiana Fever.
Simone Biles Prepares for Paris
Gymnastics legend Simone Biles was honored with Best Comeback Athlete after returning to elite international competition. Following a hiatus to prioritize her mental health after the Tokyo Games, Biles returned to dominate the U.S. Gymnastics Championships and World Championships. The honor served as a major stepping stone as she prepared for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Jaylen Brown Celebrates Celtics Title Run
Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown earned the award for Best Championship Performance. Brown was named Eastern Conference Finals MVP and NBA Finals MVP as the Celtics captured their 18th banner in franchise history by defeating the Dallas Mavericks. In his acceptance speech, Brown emphasized team selflessness and resilience throughout Boston’s postseason run.
Deep Dive into Individual Sport Category Winners
Basketball: Luka Dončić and A'ja Wilson
In individual basketball honors, Luka Dončić took home Best NBA Player after leading the Dallas Mavericks to an unexpected run to the NBA Finals while leading the league in scoring. On the women's side, A'ja Wilson added Best WNBA Player to her night's haul, reaffirming her status as the gold standard in women's professional basketball.
Football: Patrick Mahomes and Jayden Daniels
Patrick Mahomes continued his clean sweep of football honors, capturing both overall Best Male Athlete and Best NFL Player. In college football, Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels was named Best College Athlete, Men's Sports following a record-setting season quarterbacking the LSU Tigers, where he posted elite passing and rushing figures before being drafted second overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Baseball, Hockey, and Motorsports
- Shohei Ohtani won Best MLB Player following a historic two-way 2023 season with the Los Angeles Angels, during which he hit 44 home runs and struck out 167 batters before signing his groundbreaking contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Connor McDavid received Best NHL Player after leading the Edmonton Oilers to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final and capturing the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
- Max Verstappen took Best Driver after dominant performance in Formula 1, setting records for consecutive Grand Prix victories during his third consecutive World Championship campaign.
Tennis and Global Soccer
- Coco Gauff won Best Tennis Player following her maiden Grand Slam singles victory at the 2023 US Open in New York, where she became the first American teenager to win the tournament since Serena Williams in 1999.
- Aitana Bonmatí was recognized as Best Soccer Player after winning the Ballon d'Or Féminin, leading Spain to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup title, and securing a domestic and European treble with FC Barcelona.
Impact of the 2024 ESPY Awards on Women's Sports
The 2024 ESPY Awards reflected a monumental shift in audience engagement and cultural recognition for women's athletics. Throughout the broadcast, awards for female athletes received prime evening coverage, driven by record-breaking viewership in women's college basketball and the WNBA.
Major story arcs highlighted during the broadcast included:
- Rookie & Breakthrough Dominance: JuJu Watkins (USC) winning Best Breakthrough Athlete after setting the NCAA freshman scoring record, alongside Caitlin Clark’s multiple wins.
- Coaching Excellence: Dawn Staley being recognized both for court tactics (Best Coach) and leadership outside the sport (Jimmy V Award).
- Institutional Support: Highlighting equal broadcast access, arena attendance growth, and commercial sponsorships for female professional leagues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who hosted the 2024 ESPY Awards?
The 2024 ESPY Awards were hosted by 23-time Grand Slam singles tennis champion Serena Williams. The ceremony was held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on July 11, 2024, and broadcast live on ABC.
Who won Best Male and Best Female Athlete at the 2024 ESPYs?
Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs, NFL) won Best Athlete, Men's Sports, while A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces, WNBA) won Best Athlete, Women's Sports.
Which team won Best Team at the 2024 ESPY Awards?
The South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team won Best Team after completing an undefeated 38-0 season and winning the 2024 NCAA National Championship under Head Coach Dawn Staley.
Who received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage in 2024?
Former New Orleans Saints safety Steve Gleason received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. Gleason was recognized for his extraordinary battle against ALS and his relentless advocacy through Team Gleason to help individuals living with neuromuscular disorders.
Which award did Caitlin Clark win at the 2024 ESPYs?
Caitlin Clark won two awards at the 2024 ESPY Awards: Best Record-Breaking Performance (for becoming the all-time NCAA Division I scoring leader) and Best College Athlete, Women's Sports.
Why did Prince Harry win the Pat Tillman Award for Service?
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, was awarded the Pat Tillman Award for Service in recognition of his work founding and expanding the Invictus Games Foundation, which utilizes adaptive sports to aid the recovery of wounded military veterans globally.
Summary and Key Takeaways
The 2024 ESPY Awards celebrated remarkable athletic talent, perseverance, and championship culture. From Patrick Mahomes' continued football reign to A'ja Wilson's basketball dominance and South Carolina's perfect season, the evening spotlighted the top performers across global sports. Powerful tributes to Steve Gleason, Dawn Staley, and Prince Harry underscored how athletics can serve as a catalyst for advocacy and human empowerment.
To explore further event coverage, detailed vote tallies, and video acceptance speeches, visit the official ESPN ESPY Awards portal.
