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Everything you need to know about the 2022 ESPYS

July 21, 2022
Henry Club

ESPYs, ESPN’s annual awards show celebrating the year in sport, is scheduled to air Wednesday night. Here’s what you need to know about the show.

After his fourth NBA championship, Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry will try his comedy chops as host of Wednesday’s awards show.

“It’s going to be some jokes, some entertainment, and we’re celebrating the year that was in the game. So you all tune in,” Curry said in a video posted on social media.

Brittany Griner is still top of mind

WNBA star Brittany Griner has been detained Russia With more than 150 days to go, his trial is set for a fourth hearing. Friday morning,

While ESPYS will take place on Wednesday, three mobile digital billboards demanding its release will roam around Hollywood — where the awards will take place at the Dolby Theater. A Change.org representative said the billboards are an effort by Change.org in collaboration with Griner’s family and legal team.

The US State Department has said Griner is being unfairly detained, but his release has not yet been confirmed.

Some have called out ESPN for its treatment of female athletes

This year’s ceremony has already been the subject of controversy.

Several female athletes advised ESPN to nominate multiple women for categories, but did not actually invite them to the ceremony.

Caprice Dydasco, a player for NJ/NY Gotham FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, was one such player. His teammate Nicole Baxter explained the incident on Twitter.

“Which in the world (ESPN) will nominate (Diadasco) for the best NWSL player and then tell us that category is not invited to ESPYS????????” Baxter wrote. “Constant disrespect for women’s sports SMH.”

WNBA legend Don Staley, who is currently the head coach for the South Carolina Gamecock, also spoke out against the network’s treatment of female athletes after their star player, Aliyah Boston, was nominated for “Best College Athlete”. He was not invited.

“Not a single person could see the uproar that was going to happen?” stately asked on twitter. “There’s definitely something wrong with the make-up of the room… the fight continues.”

“Due to COVID restrictions and a new venue with much lower seating capacity than previous shows, the 2022 ESPYS prioritized athlete invitations to focus on specific awards,” ESPN told CNN in a statement.

How to watch ESPYS

For those interested, ESPYS airs live on ABC on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET.

Although Curry will host, celebrities from both entertainment and sports will make appearances, including Odell Beckham Jr., Aubrey Plaza and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.