The ESPYs are distinguished by its charitable contribution, donating a portion of the proceeds to The V Foundation, established by ESPN with the late Jim Valvano and announced at the inaugural ESPYs.
Who attends?
Sports' biggest names and many top celebrities have taken part, including:
Athletes and coaches who have attended or appeared via satellite:
Michael Jordan, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Tiger Woods, Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr., Emmitt Smith, Steve Young, Monica Seles, Mark Messier, Barry Bonds, Grant Hill, Bonnie Blair, Brett Favre, George Foreman, Mario Lemieux, Hakeem Olajuwon, Jimmy Johnson, Steffi Graf, Dan Marino, Brett Favre, Jeff Gordon, Rebecca Lobo, Eric Lindros and Pete Sampras.
Celebrities who have participated and/or performed include:
David Letterman, Bill Cosby, Denzel Washington, Dustin Hoffman, Billy Crystal, Bill Murray, Rosie O'Donnell, Jimmy Smits, Dennis Franz, Halle Berry, Hootie and the Blowfish, Alec Baldwin, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Robert Goulet, Joan Jett, Joe Pesci, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Chris Rock, Vivaca A. Fox, Yasmine Bleeth, Lyle Lovett, Willie Nelson, Kim Alexis, Timothy Hutton, Janine Turner, Tony Bennett, George Wendt, and Robert Wuhl.
Who has hosted?
Past hosts include Dennis Miller (1993 and 1994), John Goodman (1995), Tony Danza (1996), Jeff Foxworthy (1997) and Norm Macdonald (1998), Samuel L. Jackson (1999) and Jimmy Smits (2000).
What is the Arthur Ashe Award?
The Arthur Ashe award is dedicated to those individuals whos courage and conviction transcend sport. Past recipients include: Jim Valvano (1993), Steve Palermo (1994), Howard Cosell (1995), Special Olympian Loretta Claiborne (1996), Muhammad Ali (1997), Dean Smith (1998), Billie Jean King (1999) and Dave Sanders (2000).