Comedian Shane Gillis opened the 2025 ESPY Awards with a monologue that has since ignited debate across social media and sports circles.
Held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the event was marked by Gillis' no-holds-barred comedic style that pushed boundaries and drew both laughter and criticism.
Gillis paid tribute to the late Norm Macdonald before launching into a series of controversial jokes. He referenced Jeffrey Epstein and made political quips about Donald Trump, prompting divided reactions from the audience. His joke about Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever drew particular attention, as did his mispronunciation of WNBA legend Diana Taurasi’s name—both moments that some attendees viewed as disrespectful.
Shane Gillis: "Donald Trump wants to stage a UFC fight on the White House lawn. The last time he staged a fight in D.C., Mike Pence almost died... Actually, there was supposed to be an Epstein joke here, but I guess it got deleted..." #ESPYspic.twitter.com/lneVij5IDY
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 17, 2025
The comedian didn’t stop there. He took jabs at NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and baseball star Juan Soto, injecting sports commentary with provocative humor. While some viewers praised Gillis for bringing a bold, edgy flavor to the awards show, others felt his material crossed the line—especially given the more serious tone some ESPYs segments are known for.
Social media reactions reflected the divide: fans of Gillis applauded his fearless delivery, while critics accused him of insensitivity and poor timing. Athletes in attendance reportedly offered mixed responses, with some laughing and others appearing visibly uncomfortable.
Shane Gillis roasting the entire crowd at the ESPYs. No one is safe pic.twitter.com/nPNu7kDXmz
— Gator from TEXAS (@R_Veezy) July 17, 2025
ESPN executives watching Shane Gillis monologue knowing they are the ones who hired him. #ESPYS pic.twitter.com/O7kHHT0OtZ
— Austin (@AustinPlanet) July 17, 2025
The 2025 ESPYs monologue has reignited conversations around the role of comedy at major televised events and whether there’s still room for controversial humor in modern award shows.
As discourse continues, one thing is clear—Gillis’ performance won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
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