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Winning an ESPY is weird. It’s not quite a ring, and it’s not an MVP trophy from a league commissioner. But for the espy award winners 2025, that silver-and-black statue represented something else: a stamp of approval from the fans and the culture at large.
The ceremony at the Dolby Theatre this past July felt a bit different. Hosted by comedian Shane Gillis—who brought a predictably sharp, slightly uncomfortable energy to the stage—the night wasn’t just about highlights. It was about the massive shift we’re seeing in who we actually care about in sports. If you think the "big four" men's leagues still own the spotlight, the 2025 results might suggest otherwise.
The Big Winners: Who Actually Took Home the Hardware?
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. That's the name you need to know. The Oklahoma City Thunder star didn't just win Best NBA Player; he snagged the "big one"—Best Athlete, Men's Sports. He beat out heavy hitters like Shohei Ohtani and Josh Allen. Honestly, SGA’s rise feels like a fever dream for OKC fans, but after leading the Thunder to a title and sweeping the league MVPs, it makes sense. He showed up in a pinstriped coat, fumbled his speech, got bleeped out by the censors, and then recovered with a heartfelt "it takes a village" moment.
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On the women’s side, it was the Simone Biles show. Again.
She walked away with both Best Athlete, Women's Sports and Best Championship Performance. It’s her seventh career ESPY. While some critics argue that the ESPYs lean too heavily on "incumbents," Biles’ 2024 Olympic performance was so dominant that it’s hard to justify anyone else winning. She’s the GOAT for a reason.
A Quick Rundown of the Major 2025 Winners
Instead of a boring list, look at how the categories shook out across the board. The espy award winners 2025 reflected a year where "breakthrough" meant more than just a good rookie season.
- Best Team: Philadelphia Eagles. They closed the night with this win after their Super Bowl LIX victory. Seeing Jordan Mailata and Nick Sirianni on stage together was a sight.
- Best Breakthrough Athlete: Ilona Maher. The rugby star's social media presence combined with her Olympic bronze basically made her a lock for this. She joked that it took "seven years and two Olympics" to finally break through.
- Best Comeback Athlete: Suni Lee. After battling rare kidney diseases that doctors said would end her career, her return to the podium is the definition of the word "comeback."
- Best WNBA Player: Caitlin Clark. No surprise here. The "Caitlin Clark Effect" is real, and her record-breaking season with the Indiana Fever made this the easiest vote of the night.
The Record-Breakers and the "Tush Push" Factor
There was some genuine tension regarding the Best Record-Breaking Performance category. Alexander Ovechkin ended up taking it home for finally passing Wayne Gretzky’s goal record. It’s one of those milestones that felt impossible for thirty years.
Interestingly, the Philadelphia Eagles' "Best Team" win sparked some debate. Some fans felt the Oklahoma City Thunder or the undefeated UConn women deserved it more. But the Eagles' 18-win season and a dominant Super Bowl run were too much for voters to ignore. People are calling it the "tush push" legacy, even if the team is much more than a single short-yardage play.
Why the 2025 ESPYs Mattered More Than Usual
The ESPYs often get criticized for being a "popularity contest." That’s because, well, they are. They are voted on by fans.
But look at the diversity of the winners this year. You have a Canadian basketball player, a female rugby icon, and a gymnast who redefined longevity. We are moving away from the era where the Best Athlete award was automatically handed to the best quarterback in the NFL.
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Espy award winners 2025 like Merab Dvalishvili (Best UFC Fighter) and Max Verstappen (Best Driver) show that the American sports fan's palate is widening. We’re watching F1. We’re watching the WNBA in record numbers. We’re even watching rugby sevens because a TikTok-savvy powerhouse like Ilona Maher told us to.
Humanitarian and Honorary Honors
The night wasn't all about stats. The honorary awards usually provide the most emotional weight, and 2025 was no exception.
- Arthur Ashe Award for Courage: Oscar Robertson. The "Big O" was honored for a lifetime of fighting for player rights and social justice.
- Jimmy V Award for Perseverance: Katie Schumacher-Cawley. The Penn State volleyball coach’s battle and continued leadership was a high point of the broadcast.
- Pat Tillman Award for Service: David Walters and Erin Regan. These L.A. County firefighters were recognized for their incredible service, reminding everyone that "hero" isn't a term reserved for people who can throw a ball.
Actionable Insights for Sports Fans
If you're looking to keep up with the trajectory of these stars, here is what you should do next. Keep an eye on the "SGA era" in the NBA; he just signed a record extension and is clearly the new face of the league's global reach.
Also, don't sleep on the WNBA's continued growth. Caitlin Clark’s win wasn't a fluke—it’s the start of a multi-year dominance that will likely see her back on that stage in 2026. If you missed the ceremony, you can usually find the individual acceptance speeches on ESPN's YouTube channel, which are often better than the actual awards.
Lastly, pay attention to the "breakthrough" category. History shows that ESPY breakthrough winners—like Ilona Maher—often use that momentum to pivot into major media roles or brand partnerships that change the landscape of their respective sports.
The espy award winners 2025 gave us a glimpse into a changing sports world. It’s younger, it’s more global, and it’s increasingly female-led. That's a win for everyone.