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The ESPYS brought some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment to New York City on Wednesday night, a day typically among the slowest on the sports calendar.
But this year’s ceremony was preceded by a World Cup semi-final match in Atlanta that was already described as an instant classic. Lionel Messi and Argentina punched their ticket to a second consecutive World Cup final with victory over England. The defending champions face Spain on Saturday in nearby New Jersey, just a short trip across the Hudson River from where comedian Marcello Hernández opened the ESPYS.
The “Saturday Night Live” star wasted little time taking a few jabs at Jake Paul, Tiger Woods and other sports figures.
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Marcello Hernández speaks onstage during the 2026 ESPY Awards at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York City. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images)
“Mike Tyson ripped my watch off. Welcome to the ESPYS!” Hernández joked after making a boxing-style entrance in a cape with Tyson as part of his entourage.
“I have to say, it’s an honor to be here among so many great athletes, and Jake Paul,” Hernández began in his approximately 10-minute monologue.
Paul appeared to take the joke in stride, laughing and clapping as cameras cut to him in the crowd. Hernández then stayed on the YouTube star-turned-boxer, getting him over his history of fighting older opponents.
“Jake, it’s just a joke. Don’t fight me,” Hernández continued. “My father and my stepfather are both here. They’re over 50 and I know that’s how you like them. So fight them instead.”
Paul continued to laugh as Hernández’s bit played out, eventually ending with the comedian shifting attention to his father and stepfather, who were shown in the audience.
Atmosphere at the 2026 ESPYS at the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Square on July 15, 2026 in New York, New York. (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)
Hernández later used Caleb Williams’ “Madden 27” cover as a lead into Woods.
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“I want to congratulate Caleb Williams, the quarterback for the Chicago Bears, who will be on the cover of the new Madden video game. Congratulations to Caleb,” Hernández said, before adding, “And Tiger Woods will be on the cover of Grand Theft Auto.”
Woods was arrested in Florida in March on DUI charges after a car accident. The arrest report said a deputy found pain pills in his pocket and observed signs of impairment at the scene. Woods later announced that he would take time away from golf to seek treatment.
Hernández also worked North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick into the monologue, using the 74-year-old’s relationship with Jordon Hudson as part of a joke about the New York Knicks’ title drought.
“The Knicks won their first championship since 1973. And to understand how long ago that was, hockey players didn’t wear helmets in 1973, basketball didn’t have a three-point line. And in 1973, Bill Belichick was the age his girlfriend is now.”
The Knicks later took home the ESPY for Best Team.
Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and other members of the 2025-26 Knicks championship team took the stage to accept the award, but Josh Hart was noticeably absent. Brunson drew laughs when he joked, “I want to say thank you to the ESPYS for pulling Josh Hart’s invitation.”
Earlier in the night, Brunson also received the “Best Championship Performance” award.
Jalen Brunson accepts the award for Best Championship Performance onstage during the 2026 ESPY Awards at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center on July 15, 2026 in New York City. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P)
Former NBA player Jason Collins, who died in May at age 47 after a battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, posthumously received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. Former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, while Scott Ruskan was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
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Held each summer, the ESPYS bring together top athletes and other stars to celebrate the best moments of the past year in sport, while celebrating figures recognized for courage, service and impact. In recent years, the ceremony has been held in Los Angeles, but moved to New York this year.
