It’s official — Shane Gillis is suiting up for the biggest night in sports… and no, not to play.
The comedian, actor, writer, and self-proclaimed sports junkie will host The 2025 ESPYS Presented by Capital One, airing live from The Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 16 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, and streaming on ESPN+, with next-day viewing available on Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+.
Known for his unapologetic humor, viral podcast Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast, and chart-topping Netflix series Tires, Gillis is stepping into the spotlight to celebrate the best, boldest, and most unforgettable sports moments of the year — with plenty of laughs along the way.
“I’m excited to be at The ESPYS this year,” Gillis shared in a statement. “I like sports so this should be a good time.”
(Understatement of the year.)
But this isn’t just a random pairing. According to Craig Lazarus, ESPN Vice President and Executive Producer of The ESPYS, Gillis was a no-brainer for the job.
“Shane is not only one of the top comedians today, but also a huge sports fan, which made him an easy choice to host The ESPYS,” Lazarus said. “We’re thrilled to work with him to create an entertaining show celebrating this year’s best moments in sports and are excited to see what he’ll do on stage.”
Gillis’ resume speaks for itself — and we’re not just talking punchlines. He’s currently in the middle of an international stand-up tour that spans nearly 40 cities and has broken comedy attendance records at 18 different arenas. (You read that right — 18 arenas!) And while his jokes might land hard, his love for sports is even stronger. As a former collegiate athlete himself, Gillis brings a real-deal perspective to the world he’ll be celebrating on stage.
This past year, he’s also starred in a Bud Light Super Bowl commercial alongside Post Malone and Peyton Manning, appeared in a viral Under Armour campaign rallying Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish, and returned to Netflix with Season 2 of Tires, which remains in the platform’s Top 10.
As always, the ESPYS will honor the top athletes and teams, reflect on the most emotional moments, and present powerful awards like the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, and the Pat Tillman Award for Service, all in support of the V Foundation for Cancer Research.
From game-winning shots and Olympic glory to comeback stories and buzzer-beaters — this year’s sports season gave us everything. And now, Shane Gillis is giving us a reason to relive it all (and laugh through it) when The 2025 ESPYS go live on July 16.
Stay tuned to Celeb Secrets for all the latest ESPYS updates, predictions, red carpet coverage, and exclusive moments from Shane’s comedy-filled hosting debut.
