ESPN has revealed this year’s ESPY nominees and opened up the polls for fans on Wednesday, June 24th.
Among the nominees is Serena Williams, who won the 2014 US Open, 2015 Australian Open, and 2015 French Open as well as became fifth women’s tennis player to be world No. 1 for at least 200 weeks. Williams be competing for the best female athlete against Lindsey Vonn, Breanna Stewart and Ronda Rousey.
LeBron James will, once again, go up against Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry for the best male athlete award as well as JJ Watt and Aaron Rodgers.
In addition, Caitlyn Jenner will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.
This year The ESPYS will air on ABC, instead of Disney’s sister network ESPN. It is slated to air on July 15th at 8 p.m., 7 p.m. central with Joel McHale as the host.
Additionally nominees include:
Best Championship Performance
American Pharoah, Race Horse
Won the Triple Crown for the first time since 1978.
Madison Bumgarner, San Francisco Giants
2014 World Series MVP
Lowest ERA (.43) in a World Series since Sandy Kofax in 1965
First pitcher to record at least 2 wins, throw a shutout, and earn a save in a single World Series
Lauren Haeger, Florida Softball
MOP of the 2015 Women’s College World Series
Led in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, wins, and ERA
Pitched a complete game in the winner-take-all game 3 of the WS, in addition to driving in a run
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
First player in Finals history to lead both teams in points (35.8), rebounds (13.3), and assists (8.8)
Accounted for the 2nd-highest percentage of team points in Finals history (38.3%), just behind 1993 Jordan (38.4%)
Best Breakthrough Athlete
Odell Beckham Jr, New York Giants
2014 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
Set records for most receptions and receiving yards in the first 12 games of a career
Tied Michael Irvin’s NFL record of at least 90 receiving yards in 9-straight games
Mo’ne Davis, Little League Baseball
First girl to earn a win in the Little League World Series
First girl to pitch a shutout in the Little League World Series
Cardale Jones, Ohio State Buckeyes
Won the College Football National Championship in just his 3rd start as the Buckeyes quarterback
In his 3 starts, Cardale completed 46 of 75 passes for 742 yards and 5 TDs
Jordan Spieth, PGA
Won the 2015 Masters and 2015 US Open
Second-youngest person to win the Masters; youngest US Open winner since 1923
Tied Tiger Wood’s 72-hole Master’s record; broke records for best 36-hole and 54-hole scores
For the full list of nominees click here.
(Photo via Instagram)
