US EditionSarah Spain Rips Employer for Having Shane Gillis Host ESPYS
LOS ANGELES, JUL 16 – Comedian Shane Gillis drew backlash for jokes targeting female athletes during the 2025 ESPYs, sparking criticism from ESPN's Sarah Spain amid rising women's sports viewership.
- On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, Shane Gillis hosted ESPN’s ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, delivering a controversial monologue. The routine included barbs aimed at athletes and public figures, sparking mixed reactions and criticism from Sarah Spain.
- Last month, ESPN announced Gillis as host, with network executives understanding he’d offend elites and break norms, despite a few years ago not allowing a straight white male to host.
- Critics, including Sarah Spain, accused Gillis of punching down, as the theater audience reacted uncomfortably and online backlash grew.
- Fan reactions were mixed, as some praised his opening quoting `Shane Gillis at the ESPYs doing the best opening ever while everyone is silent`, while Gillis remained silent on criticism.
- For the first time in at least five years, ESPN catered to the rest of the country during the ESPYs, and Jason Whitlock said `July 16, 2025, might be remembered as the day Woke Sports surrendered`.
31 Articles
31 Articles
Shane Gillis: MVP of the ESPYs
Okay, I’ll admit it: Shane Gillis made the ESPYs entertaining. Gillis was the only person worth talking about. If not for his name trending on social media, I would have had no clue the award ceremony was still televised in 2025. For an event once heralded for its altruism, prestige and celebrity, it’s remarkable that a former Saturday Night Live comedian is all that’s left of the withering carcass. Full disclosure: I worked for ESPN from 2014 t…
Star Power And Surprise: Inside The 2025 ESPY Awards
Source: Amy Sussman, Michael Buckner Hollywood sizzled on Wednesday, July 16, as the biggest names in sports and entertainment collided at the 2025 ESPY Awards, lighting up the Dolby Theatre for a night of jaw-dropping wins, emotional tributes, incredible fashion, and unforgettable moments. Hosted by comedian Shane Gillis, the evening kicked off with an awkward and at times risque monologue from the 37-year-old comic, before the spotlight turned…
Sarah Spain rips employer for having Shane Gillis host ESPYS
Popular comedian and Pennsylvania native Shane Gillis hosted the ESPYS on Wednesday. Needless to say, not everyone at ESPN was a fan of him being the choice to host the awards show, or his performance.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources are Center
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
