Tiger Woods, Candace Parker, Brett Favre, Venus Williams, Kobe Bryant, Danica Patrick, the NY Giants and Boston Red Sox Just Some of the Nominees for the 16th Annual ESPYs
WHAT:Nominees for The 2008 ESPYs co-presented by HUMMER and Under Armour, and hosted by Justin Timberlake, have been announced today … and voting has begun.
WHERE: A complete list of 2008 ESPYs nominees is available to members of the media at www.espnmediazone.com/presskit/espys and for voters at www.espys.tv.
WHEN: Voting runs through 11:59 p.m. ET on July 12, and The 2008 ESPYs will be televised Sunday, July 20 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN HD.
HOW: For the fifth consecutive year, fans will determine the winners in 37 categories (excluding special awards) by voting online at www.espys.tv and, for the first time, via mobile phone at www.espn.mobi. Last year, more than 12.5 million votes were tabulated.
The ESPYs gather top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, reliving unforgettable moments and saluting the leading performers and performances. The 2008 ESPYs co-presented by HUMMER and Under Armour will include both sport-specific awards such as Best MLB Player and Best WNBA Player and distinguishing “Best in Sport” awards, categories that pit different sports against each other, such as Best Team or Best Female Athlete. The ESPYs are committed to the advancement of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, established by ESPN with the late Jim Valvano and announced at the inaugural ESPYs in 1993.
For the first time in several years, a limited amount of $100 ESPYs tickets are available for public purchase through www.ticketmaster.com.
OTHER 2008 ESPYS FACTS & FIGURES:
Ø In addition to the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, which will be given to 1968 U.S. Olympians Tommie Smith and John Carlos, two special ESPYs are being presented this year: the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, honoring Kevin Everett, the former Buffalo Bills tight end who is again able to walk after suffering what was deemed a paralyzing spinal cord injury during an NFL game; and Best Comeback, being given to Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers who, after several years battling addiction issues, has posted Triple Crown-contending numbers this season.
Ø Will Tiger Woods add to his record? He has won the ESPY 18 times and is trying to collect one for the fourth straight year. He’s nominated in several categories so he could be the first athlete with 20 ESPY statues!
Ø Annika Sorenstam is in the running for her 9th ESPY … only Woods (18), Michael Jordan and Pete Sampras (10 each) have more than Sorenstam, who has the most of any female.
Ø Can Blake Hoffarber pull off the double? The nominee for Best Play is trying to get his second ESPY in that category. He won one for his play in high school in 2005.
Ø The Best Record Breaking Performance category features a number of former winners – Barry Bonds (six), Brett Favre (three), Tom Brady (one) and Randy Moss (one). Sprinter Usian Bolt is the rookie in the category … can he run away with the ESPY?
Ø The Best Breakthrough Athlete category is also a very exciting one. The surprise star of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, Davidson’s Stephen Curry, goes up against the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and single-game rushing record-setter, Adrian Peterson, the new #1 player in women’s tennis, Ana Ivanovic, and the current NASCAR-Sprint Cup points leader Kyle Busch.
Ø One of the more intriguing categories in Best Upset, with the New York Giants, Appalachian State Football, Fresno State Baseball and horse racing’s Da’Tara vying for the honors.
Ø Several of last year’s winners in the individual sport categories are nominated again this year, including LeBron James (Best NBA Player), LaDainian Tomlinson (Best NFL Player), Sidney Crosby (Best NHL Player), Landon Donovan (Best MLS Player), Norm Duke (Best Bowler), Floyd Mayweather (Best Fighter), Woods (Best Golfer), Roger Federer (Best Male Tennis Player), Maria Sharapova (Best Female Tennis Player) and Jeremy Wariner (Best Track and Field Athlete).
