July is just around the corner, which means it’s almost ESPY time. ESPN’s fan-chosen awards show honors current and former athletes who actively contribute to the world of sports through their play, coaching and service. And when they air this year on July 11, we’ll see three major sports figures receive major ESPY awards.
ESPN announced Thursday that Prince Harry, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley and former NFL player and ALS activist Steve Gleason will receive the most important service awards they can give.
One name immediately stands out. Prince Harry? That redheaded British royal who married a former actress and dramatically left his role in the royal family for a less intense life in the United States? His connection to sports is not clear, but his former service in the British Armed Forces led him to establish a charity, the Invictus Games Foundation, to support wounded, injured and ill servicemen (both active duty and veterans) around the world. The Invictus Games Foundation uses sports to help these people cope with both physical and invisible injuries.
For his creation of and services to the Invictus Games Foundation, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service, an award given to an individual with a strong connection to sport who has served others in a way that reflects the reflects the legacy of former NFL player and US Army Ranger, Pat Tillman.
The awards for Staley and Gleason are much clearer, but no less important.
Staley and her team of Gamecock women just completed a perfect 38-0 season that ended with them winning the 2024 NCAA women’s basketball tournament. She has advocated for diversity and gender equality in sports, as well as broader acceptance of women’s sports and women *in* sports. Off the field, she has been a strong advocate for cancer screenings, especially in the black community, since several people in her life were diagnosed with cancer. Staley receives the Jimmy V Award for perseverance.
Gleason, a former NFL safety who was diagnosed with ALS in 2011, will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage for his courageous battle against ALS and his tireless advocacy for those affected by the disease. Gleason has fought for continued research into the (currently) incurable condition, lobbied Congress to make essential communications equipment available to ALS patients in the US, and through his nonprofit organization, Team Gleason, helps ALS patients live meaningful lives by providing broad-reaching information, programming and support services.
Here are the full ESPY nominations. Voting is open until 5:00 PM ET on July 11.
Best athlete, men’s sport
Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels/Dodgers
Scottie Scheffler, Golf
Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers
Best athlete, women’s sport
Caitlin Clark, Iowa women’s basketball
Coco Gauff, Tennis
Nelly Korda, Golf
A’ja Wilson, Las Vegas Aces
Best breakthrough athlete
Haleigh Bryant, LSU gymnastics
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Juju Watkins, USC women’s basketball
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Best Record-Breaking Performance
Haleigh Bryant, LSU gymnastics
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Juju Watkins, USC women’s basketball
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Best Championship Performance
Michigan’s Blake Corum and Will Johnson in the football championship game
Boston College’s Kayla Martello, most outstanding player in the women’s lacrosse tournament
Midge Purce of NJ/NY Gotham FC, MVP of the NWSL Championship
Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, NBA Finals MVP
Best comeback athlete
Simone Biles, Gymnastics
Paige Bueckers, UConn women’s basketball
Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
