ESPN has announced the nominees for the 11th annual Sports Humanitarian Awards ceremony. The prestigious event will take place on July 15 in Hollywood’s Ray Dolby Ballroom. Tennis star Sloane Stephens and soccer executive Michele Kang lead a distinguished group of honorees.
The ceremony celebrates athletes, teams, and organizations using their platforms for positive social impact. ESPN will air the awards show one day before the 2025 ESPYS on July 16. Moreover, the event highlights how sports figures are driving meaningful change beyond competition.
The Sports Humanitarian Awards will be featured in ESPN studio programming and during The 2025 ESPYS broadcast. The main ESPYS ceremony airs live at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC from Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre. Additionally, proceeds from the awards will benefit the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund.
Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award Features Elite Athletes Making Social Impact
The Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award represents the ceremony’s most prestigious honor. This year’s finalists include NBA player CJ McCollum, NHL superstar Alex Ovechkin, and tennis champion Sloane Stephens. Each nominee demonstrates exceptional commitment to humanitarian causes alongside athletic excellence.
Sloane Stephens has consistently used her tennis platform to promote education and youth development initiatives. Her foundation focuses on empowering young people through sports and academic programs. Furthermore, she has been vocal about social justice issues affecting communities nationwide.
CJ McCollum and Alex Ovechkin also bring impressive humanitarian credentials to the nomination list. Their diverse backgrounds showcase how athletes across different sports can create lasting social change. Consequently, the Muhammad Ali Award continues honoring sports figures who embody the legendary boxer’s humanitarian spirit.
Sports Philanthropist Michele Kang Receives Recognition for Soccer Investment
Michele Kang will receive the Sports Philanthropist of the Year Award for her groundbreaking contributions to women’s soccer. The businesswoman has made historic investments in female athletics through team ownership and development programs. Her work addresses long-standing funding gaps in women’s professional sports.
Kang’s philanthropic efforts extend beyond financial contributions to include advocacy for equal opportunities. She has championed initiatives that create pathways for young female athletes to pursue professional careers. Additionally, her leadership demonstrates how business executives can transform sports landscapes through strategic giving.
The award recognizes Kang’s commitment to building sustainable infrastructure for women’s soccer globally. Her investments have created ripple effects that benefit players, coaches, and entire communities. Therefore, her recognition highlights the growing importance of private philanthropy in advancing athletic equity.
2025 Sports Humanitarian Awards Celebrate Diverse Community Impact Initiatives
The Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year category features four major franchises making community differences. The Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Kings, and New York Yankees earned nominations for their comprehensive outreach programs. Each organization demonstrates how professional sports teams can address local community needs effectively.
Corporate partners also receive recognition through the Corporate Community Impact Award category. Buffalo Wild Wings, Cheez-It, Fanatics, and Monumental Sports & Entertainment are finalists for this honor. Their nominations showcase how businesses can leverage sports partnerships to create meaningful social change.
The ceremony will also honor young leaders through the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award. Recipients Maegha Ramanathan, Rishin Tandon, and Ian Waite represent the next generation of sports-minded changemakers. Meanwhile, Billy Bean receives the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award for his contributions as a former MLB player and executive.
Kevin Martinez, ESPN’s vice president of Corporate Citizenship, emphasized the network’s commitment to social impact. “The Sports Humanitarian Awards reflect that belief by honoring the athletes, teams, and organizations who are using their platforms not just to compete, but to serve and to lead with purpose,” he stated. This philosophy continues driving the awards program’s mission to celebrate sports figures creating positive change.
