Last night, Gotham Hall in New York City played host to the 12th annual
Celebrating Philanthropy in Sports
Hosted by SportsCenter anchor Christine Williamson, the awards ceremony was part of the ESPYS week festivities. Highlights from the event will be featured in ESPN programming and during the live broadcast of the 2026 ESPYS, scheduled for July 15 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Viewers can also stream the event on the ESPN App, with additional availability on platforms like Disney+ and Hulu the following day.
The Sports Humanitarian Awards recognize individuals and organizations that exemplify a commitment to philanthropy and community service across six prestigious categories. These include the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award, and the Sports Philanthropist of the Year Award, among others.
Honoring Leaders in Community Impact
The evening also celebrated three recipients of the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award: Julia Howe, Kelis Armstrong, and Sam Phillips, who are making strides in their communities through sports. Additionally, Jersey Mike’s was honored with the Corporate Community Impact Award for its longstanding partnership with the Special Olympics.
In a fitting conclusion to the night, the Baltimore Ravens were named the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year for their extensive youth development initiatives. Sashi Brown, the team's president, accepted the award, highlighting their commitment to education and community engagement.
ESPN, in collaboration with The Walt Disney Company and ABC, announced a new initiative to raise an additional $10 million for pediatric cancer research through the V Foundation, coinciding with Super Bowl LXI. Burke Magnus, ESPN's President of Content, emphasized the urgency of supporting pediatric cancer research, stating, “We hope this campaign accelerates research and helps children and their families declare Victory Over Cancer.”
