ESPN has a reputation for playing it safe, especially with its signature summer event. Recently, however, the Worldwide Leader in Sports did something unexpected.
The announcement that Shane Gillis will host the 2025 ESPYS in Los Angeles on July 16 came as a surprise. Over the previous 10 years, only two comedians have hosted the charity awards event (Joel McHale in 2015 and Tracy Morgan in 2019). Presumably, there are reasons for that.
Being a host for any awards show is often a thankless, difficult task. It almost feels like an occupation from a bygone era. Before the internet, it was a valuable platform. Now, with so many outlets and entertainment options, being the master of ceremonies isn’t so special.
If you’re a comedian, this is a different type of audience. These aren’t your fans who have spent their hard-earned money on tickets. These are people who might be more famous than you and who don’t get your humor. What comedian in their right mind wants to deal with that?
The ESPYS is a particularly sensitive environment with an auditorium of Type A personality athletes. Sports celebrities are expecting a pleasant evening out for charity. They will not be the subject of your mockery, even if jokes are tame. Lord help you if you attempted to pull a Norm Macdonald. That’s probably why, in recent years, you’ve seen Serena Williams and Steph Curry as ESPYS hosts. It’s easier for athletes to accept some needling if it comes from someone they view as a peer.
Shane Gillis is popular, with a substantial following. He isn’t a safe choice, though. For that reason alone, it’s noteworthy. Gillis brings juice to an event that probably needed a spark. ESPN might have soft-launched this as a possibility when Gillis made a memorable appearance as the guest picker for College GameDay. If he felt comfortable confronting Nick Saban, who knows what Gillis might say at the ESPYS.
ESPN is catching Gillis at the right time. He’s one of the hottest comics going. Gillis is the creator and star of Netflix sitcom Tires and is currently on a stand-up tour, playing in large arenas. He also appeared in Bud Light’s 2025 Super Bowl ad with Post Malone and Peyton Manning. In March, Gillis was the guest host for Saturday Night Live.
Gillis, 37, is unquestionably funny. The Pennsylvania native and avid sports fan has an everyman appeal. His CouplaBeers sketch from SNL was one of the best this season. However, like many comedians who like to push the limits, he has gotten into trouble. Gillis was infamously fired as an SNL cast member in 2019 for jokes that were described as racist and homophobic. In 2024, L.A. Asian American groups called for Gillis to apologize for using “offensive racial remarks.”
Gillis responded with a statement: “I’m happy to apologize to anyone who’s actually offended by anything I said. My intention is never to hurt anyone. But I’m trying to be the best comedian I can be. And sometimes that requires risks.”
Someone with that background isn’t typically asked to host an awards show, and ESPN is extremely sensitive to criticism. They usually steer clear of controversy. So far, there hasn’t been much backlash. Nobody seems to be advocating for boycotting the broadcast. If anything, many diehard fans have applauded ESPN for making Shane Gillis the ESPYS host.
Regardless of your opinion, everyone will be curious to see how much ESPN will allow Gillis to be Gillis. Will we get a watered-down version of his comedy? Or will we get the full experience?
The latter will make for better TV.