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Honestly, walking into the Dolby Theatre this past July, you could feel the energy was just... different. Maybe it was the Shane Gillis effect. Or maybe it was just the sheer weight of the hardware being handed out. We’ve seen a lot of these ceremonies, but the 2025 ESPY award winners list actually feels like it’s marking a legitimate shift in who owns the spotlight in sports.
If you weren’t glued to the TV on July 16, you might have missed Shai Gilgeous-Alexander basically cementing his status as a global icon. He didn't just win Best NBA Player; he took home the big one—Best Athlete, Men's Sports. It’s wild to think about, but he beat out Shohei Ohtani and Josh Allen. It’s a huge statement for a guy who led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a title and then stood there in a pinstriped coat, laughing through a bleeped-out speech because he was so overwhelmed.
The G.O.A.T. Still Owns the Stage
Simone Biles. I mean, what else is there to say?
She didn't just show up to be a celebrity; she cleaned up. Biles walked away with two major trophies: Best Athlete, Women's Sports and Best Championship Performance. It’s her second time winning the top female athlete spot, the first being way back in 2017. It sort of puts into perspective how long she’s been dominating. Watching her accept that award from Alison Brie, she just seemed... peaceful? She thanked ESPN for finally giving women’s sports the airtime they deserve, which felt like a pointed but necessary "it's about time" moment.
What’s kinda cool is how the 2025 ESPY award winners list reflects a massive year for gymnastics as a whole. Suni Lee grabbed the Best Comeback Athlete award. People forget that she was diagnosed with two rare kidney diseases and told she’d never compete again. She actually brought one of her doctors, Dr. Marcia Faustin, as her date. Talk about a class move. When she said, "Never underestimate a girl who is determined to prove her worth to herself," you could have heard a pin drop in that room.
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Unexpected Stars and Massive Breaks
Rugby isn’t exactly the first thing most Americans think of when they hear "ESPYS," but Ilona Maher changed that. She won Best Breakthrough Athlete, beating out big names like Cooper Flagg and Paul Skenes. If you’ve followed her on social media, you know she’s basically single-handedly made rugby cool for a whole new generation. Her message was simple: "Strong is beautiful." It’s a vibe that really resonated with the crowd.
Then there’s the Best Play category.
Saquon Barkley’s backwards hurdle vs. the Jaguars. If you haven't seen the clip, go find it. It shouldn't be physically possible. Saquon actually couldn't be there, so Jordan Mailata accepted for him, but that play was the clear favorite from the jump.
The Heavy Hitters: League by League
Sometimes these lists get a bit buried, so let’s look at the actual breakdown of who took home the specific league awards. It was a big night for the Philadelphia Eagles, who surprisingly nabbed Best Team over the Dodgers and the Thunder.
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- Best NBA Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
- Best WNBA Player: Caitlin Clark (Indiana Fever)
- Best MLB Player: Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers)
- Best NFL Player: Saquon Barkley (Eagles)
- Best NHL Player: Leon Draisaitl (Oilers)
- Best Soccer Player: Christian Pulisic (AC Milan/USMNT)
Caitlin Clark winning Best WNBA Player wasn't exactly a shocker, but it solidifies her first year as one of the most impactful in history. She also broke multiple records this year, though Alexander Ovechkin ended up taking the Best Record-Breaking Performance trophy for becoming the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer. Hard to argue with a literal "all-time" record.
Beyond the Scoreboard: Courage and Icons
The most emotional part of the night usually involves the honorary awards. Oscar Robertson—the "Big O"—received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. At 86 years old, he stood up there and talked about the 1970 lawsuit that basically invented free agency. We wouldn't have the modern NBA without him. He was introduced by Russell Westbrook, and it felt like a real "passing the torch" moment from one triple-double king to another.
We also said a sort of "official" goodbye to two legends. Diana Taurasi and Alex Morgan both received the Icon Award. They both retired this year, and their speeches were basically love letters to the women who paved the way before them. It was a heavy night for legacy.
And you can't talk about the 2025 ESPY award winners without mentioning Katie Schumacher-Cawley. The Penn State volleyball coach won the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. She’s been leading her team while battling breast cancer. When she got that standing ovation, it wasn't just for the wins; it was for the fight.
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What This Means for Next Year
If you're looking for where sports are heading, just look at the college winners. Cooper Flagg (Best College Athlete, Men's) and JuJu Watkins (Best College Athlete, Women's) are the future. These aren't just kids who are "good at sports"; they are already brands.
The 2025 ceremony proved that the barrier between "traditional" sports and "internet-famous" athletes is basically gone. Whether it’s a rugby star like Ilona Maher or an NBA MVP like SGA, the fans are voting for personality as much as stats.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the Gatorade Players of the Year, Jane Hedengren and Cameron Boozer. They were recognized during the ceremony, and history shows that those names usually end up back on the ESPY stage within four or five years.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the highlights of Saquon Barkley's hurdle if you want to see why it won Best Play.
- Watch Oscar Robertson’s acceptance speech; it’s a masterclass in sports history and civil rights.
- Follow Ilona Maher on social media to see how she’s continuing to build the profile of rugby in the US.
The 2025 ESPY award winners list isn't just a list of names—it's a roadmap of where the culture is going. From the dominance of Simone Biles to the rise of international stars like SGA, the landscape is shifting.