Host Drake will be joined on stage by the world’s premier athletes and some of Hollywood’s biggest stars when The 2014 ESPYS Presented by Capital One come to Los Angeles. The 22nd annual celebration of the best moments from the year in sports will betelevised live from the Nokia Theatre L.A. on Wednesday, July 16, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
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 2014 ESPYS will recognize both sport-specific achievements, such as “Best MLB Player” and “Best WNBA Player,” and best-in-sport winners, such as “Best Team” or “Best Female Athlete” that pit nominees from different sports against each other.
This year’s scheduled presenters include: Jessica Alba (Sin City: A Dame to Kill For), Jeff Bridges (The Giver) Jordana Brewster (Dallas), Victor Cruz (New York Giants), Cameron Diaz (Sex Tape), Taye Diggs (Murder in the First), Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder), Colin Kaepernick (San Francisco 49ers), Dan Marino, Floyd Mayweather, Jim Parsons (The Big Bang Theory), Danica Patrick, Jason Segel (Sex Tape), Maria Sharapova, Kiefer Sutherland (24) and Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks).
In addition, top athletes scheduled to attend so far include: Laila Ali (former professional boxer), Jozy Altidore (U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team), Jamie Anderson (professional snowboarder), Clint Dempsey (U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team), Matt Harvey (New York Mets), Damian Lillard (Portland Trailblazers), Henrik Lundqvist (New York Rangers), Dominic Moore (New York Rangers), Shabazz Napier (Miami Heat), T.J. Oshie (St. Louis Blues), Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks), Albert Pujols (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim), Amy Purdy (2014 Paralympic Bronze Medalist), Richard Sherman (Seattle Seahawks), Sloane Stephens (professional tennis player), Breanna Stewart (University of Connecticut Huskies), John Wall (Washington Wizards) and many others.
Additionally, the internationally acclaimed, Grammy-winning group Ozomatli will perform as the ESPYS house band. Ozomatli, who have been tapped as Cultural Ambassadors for the U.S., are also promoting their new album “Place in the Sun.”
This year, ESPN is also expanding its 21-year effort to help find a cure for cancer with a day-long fundraising drive across multiple platforms called “ESPY Day Benefitting The V Foundation for Cancer Research.” ESPY Day will begin at midnight ET on July 16 with integrated fundraising messaging across ESPN networks culminating with a special simulcast of the ESPYS on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. The simulcast will include fundraising elements and heavy social media integration of the hashtag #DontEverGiveUp, inspired by Jim Valvano’s iconic speech at the 1993 ESPYS.
For more information go to http://espn.go.com/espys/2014/
