The 2024 ESPY Awards nominations have sparked excitement across the global sports community, highlighting some of the most impressive performances, record-breaking achievements, and breakthrough talents from the past year. With categories that span individual excellence, team achievement, and unforgettable moments, the current nominations for the 2024 ESPY Awards showcase a diverse group of athletes who have captured attention through skill, perseverance, and standout performances. Fans around the world are tuning in and voting, eager to see which athletes and teams will take home one of the most coveted honors in sports. The list of nominees reflects wide-ranging success from college athletics to professional leagues, and underscores the varied stories that define modern sports achievements.
Overview of the 2024 ESPY Awards
The ESPY Awards, presented annually by ESPN, honor the very best in sports performance and achievement. The nominations for 2024 include athletes from multiple disciplines, from football and basketball to golf and tennis. These awards not only recognize outstanding individual accomplishments but also highlight memorable plays, championship performances, and breakthrough moments that resonated with fans. Hosted this year by former tennis champion Serena Williams, the event celebrates both legendary icons and rising stars alike. Nominees are selected by a committee and many categories open up to fan voting, giving sports enthusiasts around the world a voice in who wins. The ceremony airs in July and generates significant buzz across social media and sports news platforms, making it one of the most anticipated events in the sporting calendar.
Fan Involvement and Voting
One of the defining aspects of the ESPYs is the opportunity for fans to participate in choosing the winners. After the list of current nominations for the 2024 ESPY Awards was released, voting opened online and fans could cast their ballots in select categories. This interactive component helps make the awards feel more inclusive and gives supporters a chance to show appreciation for their favorite athletes and teams. Votes are typically collected up until shortly before the live show, when winners are announced and trophies are handed out on stage.
Top Nominees in Major Categories
The nominations for the 2024 ESPYs span a wide range of categories, including Best Athlete in Men’s and Women’s Sports, Best Breakthrough Athlete, Best Championship Performance, and more. Below is a breakdown of some of the most talked-about nominees who have captured the attention of fans and sports commentators alike.
Best Athlete, Men’s Sports
- Patrick Mahomes – Kansas City Chiefs
- Shohei Ohtani – Los Angeles Angels / Los Angeles Dodgers
- Scottie Scheffler – Professional golf
- Connor McDavid – Edmonton Oilers
This category highlights the athletes who have delivered standout performances at the highest level of competition. Patrick Mahomes continues to be recognized for his elite play at quarterback, while Shohei Ohtani earns praise for his dual-threat ability on the baseball field.
Best Athlete, Women’s Sports
- Caitlin Clark – Iowa Women’s Basketball
- Coco Gauff – Professional tennis
- Nelly Korda – Professional golf
- A’ja Wilson – Las Vegas Aces
The women’s category celebrates female athletes whose achievements have defined the year. Caitlin Clark’s historic performances in college basketball and Coco Gauff’s success on the tennis court are among the top stories driving this nomination list.
Best Breakthrough Athlete
- Haleigh Bryant – LSU gymnastics
- C.J. Stroud – Houston Texans
- Juju Watkins – USC Women’s Basketball
- Victor Wembanyama – San Antonio Spurs
This category focuses on athletes who made a significant impact in their sport for the first time or rose rapidly into prominence. Victor Wembanyama’s entry into the NBA and C.J. Stroud’s breakout in the NFL are among the moments earning recognition.
Best Record-Breaking Performance
- Christian McCaffrey – 49ers, record for 17 straight games with a touchdown
- Caitlin Clark – NCAA all-time scoring leader
- Tara VanDerveer – Most wins by a college basketball coach
- Max Verstappen – Record 10th consecutive F1 race win
Record-breaking performances often stand out as some of the most unforgettable moments in sports. This year’s nominees include both team and individual feats that have rewritten history books.
Notable Team and Play Categories
In addition to individual honors, the ESPY nominations also recognize the achievements of teams and specific plays that defined the season. These categories celebrate moments that brought fans to their feet.
Best Team
- South Carolina Gamecocks – NCAA Women’s Basketball
- Kansas City Chiefs – NFL
- Michigan Wolverines – NCAA Football
- Las Vegas Aces – WNBA
- Boston Celtics – NBA
- Florida Panthers – NHL
This list includes championship-caliber squads from college and professional leagues, reflecting dominance and success in their respective seasons.
Best Play
- Jayda Coleman’s game-winning call in softball
- Anthony Edwards dunk of the year
- Alabama’s 4th & 31 victory play
- Lamar Jackson’s spectacular self-caught pass run
Memorable plays often encapsulate the excitement of a sport, and the nominees in this category showcase incredible athleticism and drama.
The Impact of the Nominees
Being nominated for an ESPY Award is a significant honor that highlights both excellence and impact in sports. Many nominees for the 2024 ESPY Awards have set records, led their teams to championships, or captured the hearts of fans with unforgettable performances. For athletes like Caitlin Clark and Patrick Mahomes, multiple nominations reflect not just skill but also a year of remarkable achievement that resonates broadly. The list of current nominations for the 2024 ESPY Awards serves as both celebration and reflection on a year rich with competitive excellence.
Recognition Across Sports
The diversity of the nominations underscores how sports from different disciplines can produce world-class moments. From the hardwood courts of college basketball to the global stages of motorsports and tennis, the ESPY nominations remind us that excellence comes in many forms. This cross-sport celebration helps elevate athletes who might not always be in the mainstream spotlight but whose performances deserve recognition.
The current nominations for the 2024 ESPY Awards represent a wide spectrum of athletic achievement and memorable moments from the year. With categories ranging from Best Athlete in Men’s and Women’s Sports to Best Play and Best Team, the nominees highlight the diversity of talent and performance in modern sports. Fan voting adds to the excitement, allowing supporters to engage with the awards and support their favorites. As the ceremony approaches, anticipation continues to build, and the nominations serve as a reminder of the inspiring stories and remarkable feats that defined the sports year.