espy best male athlete Overview
The ESPY Best Male Athlete award is presented annually at the ESPY Awards by ESPN to honor the top male performer in professional sports. The winner is determined by public vote on ESPN.com and the ESPN app, with ballots typically opening in June and closing before the ceremony. The award spans all major North American leagues and international competitions, and past recipients include athletes from the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, PGA Tour, and global soccer. The ceremony is usually held in July, and results are published by ESPN and reported by outlets like Forbes and The Associated Press.
To be eligible, a male athlete must have demonstrated sustained excellence and impact during the award period, with consideration given to championships, records, and cultural influence. ESPN publishes the official nominee list and voting rules on its awards page, and the network partners with companies such as Nike, Coca-Cola, and AT&T as sponsors. The Best Male Athlete category is one of the most-watched segments, with millions of votes cast each cycle through the ESPN app and ESPN.com voting portal.
Recent Winners and Voting Trends
In the most recent cycle, the ESPY Best Male Athlete winner was announced during the televised ceremony, with the result widely covered by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Reuters. The winner typically secures a large share of the vote, often driven by a championship run, record-breaking season, or high-profile moment that dominated the sports calendar. Voting data and final percentages are not always released in full, but ESPN highlights the margin of victory and key statistics in its post-ceremony coverage.
Fan engagement spikes during the voting window, with ESPN reporting surges in app traffic and social media activity around the nominees. The Best Male Athlete race often features athletes from the NBA Finals, MLB postseason, NFL season, and major international events such as the Olympics or FIFA World Cup. Sponsors such as Pepsi, Samsung, and Visa align campaigns with the ESPYs, and the voting experience is integrated into the ESPN app to drive participation and user retention.
How to Watch and Follow the ESPYs
The ESPY Awards air live on ABC and are streamed on ESPN+, with the Best Male Athlete segment typically featured in the main telecast. Fans can vote for the ESPY Best Male Athlete on ESPN.com and in the ESPN app during the open voting period, and results are revealed during the show. The network provides real-time updates, nominee profiles, and highlight packages across its platforms, including the ESPN app, ESPN.com, and social channels.
For the latest updates, fans can follow ESPN on social media and check the official ESPY Awards hub on ESPN.com, where nominee lists, voting instructions, and ceremony schedules are published. The event is also covered by major outlets such as Forbes, The New York Times, and The Associated Press, which report on winners, speeches, and trending moments. The next ceremony date and voting window are announced by ESPN each year, and the Best Male Athlete category remains one of the most anticipated awards of the sports calendar.