Best Male Athlete ESPY Award#List of winners

{{Short description|Annual award}}

{{use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}

{{Infobox award

| name = Best Male Athlete ESPY Award

| current_awards =

| image =

| imagesize =

| alt =

| caption =

| awarded_for = Best male athlete

| presenter = ESPN

| country =

| location = Los Angeles, California, U.S.

| year = 1993

| year2 =

| holder = Patrick Mahomes (U.S.)

| website = {{URL|espn.co.uk/espys}}

}}

The Best Male Athlete ESPY Award, known alternatively as the Outstanding Male Athlete ESPY Award, is an annual award honoring the achievements of individual men from the world of sports. It has been presented annually at the ESPY Awards (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award) since 1993 to the male voted irrespective of nationality or sport contested, adjudged to be the best athlete in a given calendar year.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tfTXAQAAQBAJ&q=Bill+France+Sr.+built+Daytona+International+Speedway+Daytona+500&pg=PA328|title=American Sports: A History of Icons, Idols and Ideas|last=Nelson|first=Murry R.|author-link=Murry R. Nelson|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2013|isbn=978-0-313-39753-0|location=Santa Barbara, California|pages=399–401|access-date=June 24, 2015|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626131804/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tfTXAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA328&lpg=PA328&dq=Bill+France+Sr.+built+Daytona+International+Speedway+Daytona+500&source=bl&ots=M78hv00TU7&sig=8aIprlCZ77goRvWR7jdykDitkyc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=vg6LVcvcI6uv7Aaf2oKoDg&ved=0CDoQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Bill%20France%20Sr.%20built%20Daytona%20International%20Speedway%20Daytona%20500&f=false|archive-date=June 26, 2015|df=mdy-all}} The Best Male Athlete ESPY Award trophy, designed by sculptor Lawrence Nowlan,{{cite news|url=http://www.timesargus.com/article/20130802/NEWS03/708029923/0/FEATURES10|title=Sculptor commissioned to complete Joe Frazier statue has died|last=Avard|first=Christian|date=August 2, 2013|newspaper=Barre Montpelier Times Argus|access-date=January 21, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221231935/http://www.timesargus.com/article/20130802/NEWS03/708029923/0/FEATURES10|archive-date=February 21, 2014|url-status=dead}} is presented to the recipient at an annual ceremony in Los Angeles. Since 2004, the winner has been chosen by online balloting through three to five choices selected by the ESPN Select Nominating Committee.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espy2004/s/2004/0421/1786981.html|title=The 2004 ESPY Awards - Fans to decide all 2004 ESPY Award winners|publisher=ESPN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123190648/http://www.espn.com/espy2004/s/2004/0421/1786981.html|archive-date=January 23, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=23 January 2018|df=mdy-all}} Before that, determination of the winners was made by an panel of experts.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/espy/features/01083044.html|title=Committee is newly found|date=February 3, 1999|publisher=ESPN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123190739/http://www.espn.com/espy/features/01083044.html|archive-date=January 23, 2018|url-status=live|access-date=23 January 2018|df=mdy-all}} Through the 2001 iteration of the ESPY Awards, ceremonies were conducted in February of each year to honor achievements over the previous calendar year; awards presented thereafter are conferred in July and reflect performance from the June previous.{{efn|Because of the rescheduling of the ESPY Awards ceremony, the award presented in 2002 was given in consideration of performance betwixt February 2001 and June 2002.|group="n"}}{{cite press release|title=New categories unveiled for The 2002 ESPY Awards|date=2002|publisher=ESPN|url=http://www.espn.com/espy2002/s/awardcategories.html|access-date=December 20, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052554/http://www.espn.com/espy2002/s/awardcategories.html|archive-date=December 22, 2017|df=mdy-all}}

The inaugural winner of the Best Male Athlete ESPY Award was basketball player Michael Jordan in 1993. Four American athletes, golfer Tiger Woods, road cyclist Lance Armstrong, basketball player LeBron James, and American football player Patrick Mahomes have won the award multiple times. Woods was honored five times: in 1998 (jointly with baseball player Ken Griffey Jr.), 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2008. Armstrong was honored four times from 2003 to 2006 inclusive. James received the award on three occasions in 2012, 2013 and 2016. Mahomes received the award twice in 2023 and 2024. Basketball is the most successful sport, its players having received a total of nine awards and thirty-three nominations since its inception, followed by American football players with six wins and twenty-seven nominations. The award has been won by a non-American four times – in 2011 by German basketball player Dirk Nowitzki, in 2018 by Russian hockey player Alex Ovechkin, in 2019 by Greek basketball player Giannis Antetokounmpo and in 2022 by Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani. All four were playing for American teams. It was not awarded in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Winners and nominees

class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+Winners and nominees of the Best Male Athlete ESPY Award

scope="col"| Year

!scope="col" class="unsortable"| Image

!scope="col"| Athlete

!scope="col"| Nation

!scope="col"| Sport

!scope="col" class="unsortable"| Nominees

!scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref(s)|References}}

1993

|

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Michael|Jordan}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|Basketball

| align=left | Dennis Eckersley ({{flag|USA}}) – Baseball
Mario Lemieux ({{flag|CAN}}) – Ice hockey
Emmitt Smith ({{flag|USA}}) – American football
Steve Young ({{flag|USA}}) – American football

|{{Cite book| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=xxU9VOuPTdYC&pg=PA190| title = The Sport Star: Modern Sport and the Cultural Economy of Sporting Celebrity| first = Barry| last = Smart| page = 190| access-date = 31 October 2017| isbn = 0-7619-4351-X| publisher = SAGE Publications Ltd| date = 24 August 2005| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171031121012/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=xxU9VOuPTdYC&pg=PA190&lpg=PA190| archive-date = 31 October 2017}}{{cite news|last=Sandmoir|first=Richard|title=Stars prove to be good sports for ESPYs|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/262943111|work=St. Petersburg Times|date=March 4, 1993|access-date=August 23, 2020|page=7B|id={{ProQuest|262943111}}|url-access=subscription}}

1994

|File:BarryBonds1993.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Barry|Bonds}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|Baseball

| align=left |Charles Barkley ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Mario Lemieux ({{flag|CAN}}) – Ice hockey
Nigel Mansell ({{flag|GBR}}) – Motorsport
Charlie Ward ({{flag|USA}}) – College football

|{{Cite book| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Q1eXAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA52| page = 52| title = Barry Bonds| isbn = 978-1-4677-0387-1| publisher = Lerner Publishing Group| date = 1 August 2012| access-date = 31 October 2017| first = Ross| last = Bernstein| url-status = live| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171031121012/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=Q1eXAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA52&lpg=PA52| archive-date = 31 October 2017}}{{cite news|title=Bonds top male athlete|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/254063513|work=Windsor Star|date=March 1, 1994|access-date=August 23, 2020|page=B4|id={{ProQuest|254063513}}|url-access=subscription}}{{cite news|title=Bonds among ESPY nominees|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-feb-09-1994-1927427/|work=Altoona Mirror|date=February 9, 1994|page=D2|via=NewspaperArchive.com}}

1995

|File:SteveYoungRepublicanConvention1990.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Steve|Young}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|American football

| align=left | George Foreman ({{flag|USA}}) – Boxing
Hakeem Olajuwon ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Barry Sanders ({{flag|USA}}) – American football

|{{Cite web| url = https://www.deseretnews.com/article/404319/YOUNG-BLAIR-EARN-TOP-ESPY-AWARDS.html| title = Young, Blair earn top ESPY awards| access-date = 31 October 2017| work = Deseret News| date = 14 February 1995| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171031121013/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/404319/YOUNG-BLAIR-EARN-TOP-ESPY-AWARDS.html| archive-date = 31 October 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspaperarchive.com/sports-clipping-jan-21-1995-1927440/|title=ESPY nominees|date=January 21, 1995|work=Bluefield Daily Telegraph|access-date=April 12, 2018|agency=Associated Press|page=7|volume=101|issue=21|url-access=subscription |via=NewspaperArchive.com}}

1996

|File:Cal Ripken, Jr in 1996 (cropped).jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Cal|Ripken Jr.}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|Baseball

| align=left |Greg Maddux ({{flag|USA}}) – Baseball
Hakeem Olajuwon ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball

|{{cite news|last=Kent|first=Milton|title=A 'flattered' Cal Ripken adds to his treasure chest of awards|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/406915854|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=February 13, 1996|access-date=August 23, 2020|page=2D|id={{ProQuest|406915854}}|url-access=subscription}}{{cite news|title=ESPY finalists announced|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/113492637/|work=The Tennessean|date=January 24, 1996|access-date=August 23, 2020|page=2C|via=Newspapers.com}}

1997

|File:Michael Johnson 1995.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Michael|Johnson|Michael Johnson (sprinter)}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|Track and field

| align=left | Michael Jordan ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Tiger Woods ({{flag|USA}}) – Golf

|{{cite news|title=ESPYs honor athletes of year|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/306868170|work=USA Today|date=February 11, 1997|access-date=August 23, 2020|page=03C|id={{ProQuest|306868170}}|url-access=subscription}}{{cite news|title=General: ESPY Awards|url=http://archives.starbulletin.com/97/02/04/sports/scoreboard.html|newspaper=Honolulu Star-Bulletin|date=February 4, 1997|access-date=June 15, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151229083309/http://archives.starbulletin.com/97/02/04/sports/scoreboard.html|archive-date=December 29, 2015|df=mdy-all}}

rowspan=2 | 1998

|File:TigerWoods1997.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Tiger|Woods}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|Golf

| rowspan=2 align=left |Michael Jordan ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Barry Sanders ({{flag|USA}}) – American football

| rowspan=2 |{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=81mybCXNstAC&pg=PA217 | title = Greatest Sports Heroes of All Times: North American Edition | page = 217 | publisher = Encouragement Press | first1 = Paul J. | last1 = Christopher | first2 = Alicia Marie | last2 = Smith | access-date = 31 October 2017 | date = 1 September 2006 | isbn = 1-933766-09-3 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171031121012/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=81mybCXNstAC&pg=PA217&lpg=PA217 | archive-date = 31 October 2017 }}{{Cite web | url = http://bleacherreport.com/articles/123384-ken-griffey-jr-and-then-there-was-one | first = Shashwat | last = Baxi | access-date = 31 October 2017 | publisher = Bleacher Report | title = And Then There Was One: Only Griffey Jr. Remains from Pre-Steroid Era! | date = 12 February 2009 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090215031942/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/123384-ken-griffey-jr-and-then-there-was-one | archive-date = 15 February 2009 }}{{cite news|last=Greene|first=Jerry|title=Hey, I'm Ready to Share a Moment With The World|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/279082310|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=February 6, 1998|access-date=August 23, 2020|page=D11|id={{ProQuest|279082310}}|url-access=subscription}}

File:Ken Griffey Jr. 1997 (cropped).jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Ken|Griffey Jr.}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|Baseball

1999

|File:Mark McGwire 1989 (cropped).jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Mark|McGwire}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|Baseball

| align=left |Terrell Davis ({{flag|USA}}) – American football
Jeff Gordon ({{flag|USA}}) – NASCAR
Michael Jordan ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Sammy Sosa ({{flag|DOM}}) – Baseball

|{{Cite web|date=16 February 1999|title=Awards: McGwire top ESPY winner|url=http://web.kitsapsun.com/archive/1999/02-16/0035_awards__mcgwire_top_espy_winner.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031121013/http://web.kitsapsun.com/archive/1999/02-16/0035_awards__mcgwire_top_espy_winner.html|archive-date=31 October 2017|access-date=31 October 2017|work=Kitsap Sun}}{{cite news|last=Heuschkel|first=David|date=February 17, 1999|title=Rat Race to Joy Ride|page=C1|work=Hartford Courant|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/177625184/|access-date=August 23, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}}

2000

|File:Tiger-1.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Tiger|Woods}} (2)

|{{flag|USA}}

|Golf

| align=left |Tim Duncan ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Pedro Martínez ({{flag|DOM}}) – Baseball

|{{cite web|title=Year nominees (1999)|url=https://www.espn.com/espy2000/s/1999nominees.html|publisher=ESPN|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2001

|File:TigerWoods2004RyderCup1.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Tiger|Woods}} (3)

|{{flag|USA}}

|Golf

| align=left |Lance Armstrong {{flag|USA}}) – Road cycling
Shaquille O'Neal ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball

|{{cite news|last=Dorman|first=Tammy|title=Tiger Woods rising to thee top of ESPY all-time winning list|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/219680566/|work=The News-Press|page=43|date=February 11, 2001|access-date=August 23, 2020|via=Newspapers.com}}

2002

|File:Tiger Woods drives by Allison.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Tiger|Woods}} (4)

|{{flag|USA}}

|Golf

| align=left |Lance Armstrong ({{flag|USA}}) – Road cycling
Barry Bonds ({{flag|USA}}) – Baseball
Shaquille O'Neal ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Cael Sanderson ({{flag|USA}}) – Collegiate wrestling

|{{cite news|last=Norwood|first=Robyn|date=July 9, 2002|title=No ID Required|work=Los Angeles Times|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-jul-09-sp-espy09-story.html|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2003

|File:Lance Armstrong - Tour de France 2003 - Alpe d'Huez (cropped).jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Lance|Armstrong}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|Road cycling

| align=left |Barry Bonds ({{flag|USA}}) – Baseball
Tim Duncan ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Tiger Woods ({{flag|USA}}) – Golf

|{{Cite book | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=NIsa7OuW1V4C&pg=PA76 | title = Lance Armstrong: A Biography | first = Paula | last = Johanson | page = 76 | isbn = 978-0-313-38690-9 | publisher = Greenwood | date = 7 April 2011 | access-date = 31 October 2017 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171031121012/https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=NIsa7OuW1V4C&pg=PA76&lpg=PA76 | archive-date = 31 October 2017 }}{{cite web|title=Best Male Athlete nominees|url=https://www.espn.com/espy2003/s/03bestmalenominees.html|publisher=ESPN|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2004

|File:Armstrong-nih.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Lance|Armstrong}} (2)

|{{flag|USA}}

|Road cycling

| align=left |Barry Bonds ({{flag|USA}}) – Baseball
Tom Brady ({{flag|USA}}) – American football
Kevin Garnett ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Peyton Manning ({{flag|USA}}) – American football

|{{cite news|title=Fans speak: Lance is No. 1|url=https://www.deseret.com/2004/7/15/19840197/fans-speak-lance-is-no-1.|work=Deseret News|agency=Associated Press|date=July 15, 2004|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2005

|File:LanceTimeTrial2005StEtienne (cropped).jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Lance|Armstrong}} (3)

|{{flag|USA}}

|Road cycling

| align=left |Peyton Manning ({{flag|USA}}) – American football
Bode Miller ({{flag|USA}}) – Skiing
Michael Phelps ({{flag|USA}}) – Swimming
Vijay Singh ({{flag|FIJ}}) – Golf

|{{cite web|last=Whitten|first=Phillip|title=Four Swimmers in Hunt for 2005 ESPY Awards: Vote for Michael, Natalie, Rudy and Erin|url=https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/four-swimmers-in-hunt-for-2005-espy-awards-vote-for-michael-natalie-rudy-and-erin/|work=Swimming World Magazine|date=July 6, 2005|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2006

|File:Lance Armstrong Tour de Gruene 2008-11-01.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Lance|Armstrong}} (4)

|{{flag|USA}}

|Road cycling

| align=left |Shaun Alexander ({{flag|USA}}) – American football
LeBron James ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Albert Pujols ({{flag|DOM}}) – Baseball
Vince Young ({{flag|USA}}) – College football

|{{cite web|date=June 27, 2006|title=Osterman and Football team headline 2006 ESPY Award nominations|url=https://texassports.com/news/2006/6/27/062706aaa_403.aspx|access-date=August 23, 2020|publisher=University of Texas Athletics}}

2007

|File:LaDainian Tomlinson-Aug-2-08-Practice.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|LaDainian|Tomlinson}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|American football

| align=left |Roger Federer ({{flag|SUI}}) – Tennis
LeBron James ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Peyton Manning ({{flag|USA}}) – American football
Tiger Woods ({{flag|USA}}) – Golf

|{{Cite news|last=Harris|first=Beth|date=12 July 2007|title=Chargers' Tomlinson Wins 4 ESPY Awards|newspaper=The Washington Post|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/11/AR2007071102511_pf.html|url-status=live|access-date=31 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031121012/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/11/AR2007071102511_pf.html|archive-date=31 October 2017}}

2008

|File:20080609 Tiger Woods (cropped).jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Tiger|Woods}} (5)

|{{flag|USA}}

|Golf

| align=left |Tom Brady ({{flag|USA}}) – American football
Kobe Bryant ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Alex Rodriguez ({{flag|USA}}) – Baseball

|{{Cite web|last=Myers|first=Alex|date=5 December 2013|title=Throwback Thursday: That time Will Ferrell accepted an award... as Tiger Woods|url=https://www.golfdigest.com/story/will-ferrell-tiger-woods-espn-award-video|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218161451/http://www.golfdigest.com/story/will-ferrell-tiger-woods-espn-award-video|archive-date=18 February 2017|access-date=31 October 2017|work=Golf Digest}}{{cite news|date=July 1, 2008|title=ESPY Best Male and Female Athlete Nominees|work=Houston Chronicle|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/slideshow/ESPY-Best-Male-and-Female-Athlete-Nominees-25269.php|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2009

|File:Michael Phelps in action (3628423222).jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Michael|Phelps}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|Swimming

| align=left |Kobe Bryant ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
LeBron James ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Jimmie Johnson ({{flag|USA}}) – NASCAR

|{{cite news|date=July 15, 2009|title=Phelps chosen male athlete of the year|work=Denver Post|agency=Associated Press|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2009/07/15/phelps-chosen-male-athlete-of-the-year/|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2010

|File:Drew Brees at Saints Super Bowl parade 2010-02-09.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Drew|Brees}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|American football

| align=left |Kobe Bryant ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
LeBron James ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Jimmie Johnson ({{flag|USA}}) – NASCAR
Albert Pujols ({{flag|DOM}}) – Baseball

|{{Cite web | url = https://www.deseretnews.com/article/700048302/Brees-Vonn-take-home-top-ESPYs.html | work = Deseret News | title = Brees, Vonn take home top ESPYs | first = Beth | last = Harris | access-date = 31 October 2017 | date = 14 July 2010 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100723071120/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700048302/Brees-Vonn-take-home-top-ESPYs.html | archive-date = 23 July 2010 }}{{cite news|date=July 14, 2010|title=Champion Lakers compete for ESPY Award tonight|work=Los Angeles Daily News|url=https://www.dailynews.com/2010/07/14/champion-lakers-compete-for-espy-award-tonight/|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2011

|File:Dirk Nowitzki Mavs 2009.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Dirk|Nowitzki}}

|{{flag|DEU}}

|Basketball

| align=left |Jimmie Johnson ({{flag|USA}}) – NASCAR
Rafael Nadal ({{flag|ESP}}) – Tennis
Aaron Rodgers ({{flag|USA}}) – American football

|{{Cite web|last=Tourtellotte|first=Bob|date=14 July 2011|title=Mavericks, Nowitzki shine at Espy Awards|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-espys/mavericks-nowitzki-shine-at-espy-awards-idUSTRE76D0ES20110714|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171031121012/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-espys/mavericks-nowitzki-shine-at-espy-awards-idUSTRE76D0ES20110714|archive-date=31 October 2017|access-date=31 October 2017|publisher=Reuters}}{{cite web|date=July 14, 2011|title=Nowitzki wins a pair, Wilson stylish at ESPYS|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/wilson-espys/|access-date=August 23, 2020|publisher=Sportsnet}}

2012

|File:LeBron James Dec 2012 3.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|LeBron|James}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|Basketball

| align=left |Novak Djokovic ({{flag|SER}}) – Tennis
Aaron Rodgers ({{flag|USA}}) – American football
Justin Verlander ({{flag|USA}}) – Baseball

|{{Cite web | url = http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1256390-espy-awards-2012-winners-lebron-james-deserving-of-his-multiple-awards | title = ESPY Awards 2012 Winners: Why LeBron James Deserves His Multiple Awards | first = Nicholas | last = Goss | date = 12 July 2012 | publisher = Bleacher Report | access-date = 31 October 2017 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120820103334/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1256390-espy-awards-2012-winners-lebron-james-deserving-of-his-multiple-awards | archive-date = 20 August 2012 }}{{Cite news|last=Harris|first=Beth|date=July 12, 2012|title=LeBron is king of the 2012 ESPY Awards|work=The Durango Herald|agency=Associated Press|url=https://durangoherald.com/articles/41292|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2013

|File:LeBron James at GSW.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|LeBron|James}} (2)

|{{flag|USA}}

|Basketball

| align=left |Miguel Cabrera ({{flag|VEN}}) – Baseball
Adrian Peterson ({{flag|USA}}) – American football
Michael Phelps ({{flag|USA}}) – Swimming

|{{cite web|title=LeBron James, Heat repeat at ESPYS|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/espys/2014/story/_/id/9486918/2013-espys-lebron-james-voted-top-male-athlete|publisher=ESPN|date=July 18, 2013|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2014

|File:Kevin Durant Feb 2014.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Kevin|Durant}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|Basketball

| align=left |Miguel Cabrera ({{flag|VEN}}) – Baseball
Peyton Manning ({{flag|USA}}) – American football
Floyd Mayweather Jr. ({{flag|USA}}) – Boxing

|{{cite news|last=Harris|first=Beth|date=July 17, 2014|title=Durant, Rousey Win Top Athlete Honors At ESPYs|publisher=WWJ-TV|agency=Associated Press|url=https://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/07/17/durant-rousey-win-top-athlete-honors-at-espys/|access-date=August 23, 2020}}{{cite news|last=Bracht|first=Mel|date=June 24, 2014|title=Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook nominated for 2014 ESPY Awards|work=The Oklahoman|url=https://oklahoman.com/article/4952723/kevin-durant-russell-westbrook-nominated-for-2014-espy-awards|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2015

|File:Stephen Curry dribbling 2016 (cropped).jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Stephen|Curry}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|Basketball

| align=left |LeBron James ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Aaron Rodgers ({{flag|USA}}) – American football
J. J. Watt ({{flag|USA}}) – American football

|{{Cite web|last=Devine|first=Dan|title=Stephen Curry wins Best NBA Player, Best Male Athlete at 2015 ESPYs|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/stephen-curry-wins-best-nba-player--best-male-athlete-at-2015-espy-awards-141417048.html?y20=1|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|date=July 16, 2015|access-date=August 23, 2016}}

2016

|File:LeBron James (15662939969).jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|LeBron|James}} (3)

|{{flag|USA}}

|Basketball

| align=left |Stephen Curry ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Bryce Harper ({{flag|USA}}) – Baseball
Cam Newton ({{flag|USA}}) – American football

|{{cite news|last=Florjancic|first=Matthew|title=Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James wins Best Male Athlete ESPY|url=https://www.wkyc.com/mobile/article/sports/nba/cavaliers/cleveland-cavaliers-lebron-james-wins-best-male-athlete-espy/272381741|publisher=WKYC|date=July 13, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2020}}{{cite news|last=Crawford|first=Liz|title=Cam Newton Nominated For Two ESPY Awards|url=https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/sports/cam-newton-nominated-for-two-espy-awards/83-264981433|publisher=WFMY-TV|date=July 6, 2016|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2017

|File:Westbrook 20150125.jpg

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Russell|Westbrook}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|Basketball

| align=left |Kris Bryant ({{flag|USA}}) – Baseball
Sidney Crosby ({{flag|CAN}}) – Ice hockey
Michael Phelps ({{flag|USA}}) – Swimming

|{{cite web|last=Kimble|first=Lindsay|title=Russell Westbrook Wins Best Male Athlete at 2017 ESPY Awards|url=https://people.com/sports/espy-awards-2017-russell-westbrook-best-male-athlete/#:~:text=Russell%20Westbrook%20has%20won%20best,and%20Olympic%20swimmer%20Michael%20Phelps|work=People|date=July 12, 2017|access-date=August 23, 2020}}{{cite magazine|title=Olympic stars Phelps, Biles among finalists for ESPY Awards|url=https://www.si.com/olympics/2017/06/21/ap-us-espy-awards-nominees|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=June 21, 2017|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2018

|144x144px

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Alexander|Ovechkin}}

|{{flag|RUS}}

|Ice hockey

| align=left |Jose Altuve ({{flag|VEN}}) – Baseball
Tom Brady ({{flag|USA}}) – American football
James Harden ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball

|{{cite web|last=Trosset|first=Bob|title=Alex Ovechkin takes home ESPY for Best Male Athlete|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/capitals/alex-ovechkin-takes-home-espy-best-male-athlete|publisher=NBC Sports Washington|date=July 18, 2018|access-date=August 23, 2020}}{{cite news|title=James Harden, Jose Altuve named finalists for ESPYs Best Male Athlete Award|url=https://abc13.com/james-harden-jose-altuve-houston-rockets-astros-espy-awards-best-male-athlete/3627257/|publisher=KTRK-TV|date=June 20, 2018|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2019

|100px

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Giannis|Antetokounmpo}}

|{{flag|GRE}}

|Basketball

| align=left |Mookie Betts ({{flag|USA}}) – Baseball
Brooks Koepka ({{flag|USA}}) – Golf
Patrick Mahomes ({{flag|USA}}) – American football

|{{cite news|last=Radcliffe|first=JR|title=Giannis Antetokounmpo named Best Male Athlete at ESPYS, and Christian Yelich also brings home a trophy|url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2019/07/10/giannis-antetokounmpo-and-christian-yelich-honored-espys/1699955001/|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel|date=July 10, 2019|access-date=August 23, 2020}}{{cite web|last=Deither|first=Dylan|title=Brooks Koepka, Male Athlete of the Year? Golf's ESPY nominees are here|url=https://golf.com/news/golf-espy-nominees-brooks-koepka/|work=Golf Magazine|date=June 19, 2019|access-date=August 23, 2020}}

2020

| colspan=5 align=center|Not awarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic

|{{Cite news|last=Messer|first=Lesley|date=June 19, 2020|title=7 ways the 2020 ESPYS will be different amid the pandemic|publisher=Good Morning America|url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/ways-2020-espys-amid-pandemic-71286965|url-status=live|access-date=August 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620003348/https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/ways-2020-espys-amid-pandemic-71286965|archive-date=June 20, 2020}}

2021

|100px

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Tom|Brady}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|American football

| align=left |Lewis Hamilton ({{flag|GBR}}) – Formula One
Nikola Jokić ({{flag|SER}}) – Basketball
Connor McDavid ({{flag|CAN}}) – Ice hockey

|{{cite web|title=The 2021 ESPYS Nominees|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/the-2021-espys-nominees/|website=ESPN Press Room U.S.|access-date=July 13, 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espys/story/_/page/voting-winners/2021-espys-award-winners |title=2021 ESPYS award winners|website=ESPN.com|date=July 10, 2021|access-date=July 10, 2021}}

2022

|100px

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Shohei|Ohtani}}

|{{flag|JPN}}

|Baseball

| align=left |Stephen Curry ({{flag|USA}}) – Basketball
Connor McDavid ({{flag|CAN}}) – Ice hockey
Aaron Rodgers ({{flag|USA}}) – American football

|{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espys/story/_/id/34271763/2022-espys-award-winners |title=2022 ESPYS: Full list of award winners |website=ESPN.com |access-date=July 20, 2022 |date=July 20, 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/the-2022-espys-nominees/ |title=The 2022 ESPYS Nominees |website=espnpressroom.com |date=June 28, 2022 |access-date=July 3, 2022}}

2023

|100px

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Patrick|Mahomes}}

|{{flag|USA}}

|American football

| align=left |Nikola Jokić ({{flag|SER}}) – Basketball
Aaron Judge ({{flag|USA}}) – Baseball
Lionel Messi ({{flag|ARG}}) – Soccer

|{{cite web|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/the-2023-espys-nominees/ |title=The 2023 ESPYS Nominees |website=espnpressroom.com |date=June 28, 2023 |access-date=July 6, 2023}}

2024

|100px

!scope="row"| {{sortname|Patrick|Mahomes}} (2)

|{{flag|USA}}

|American football

| align=left |Connor McDavid ({{flag|CAN}}) – Ice hockey
Shohei Ohtani ({{flag|JPN}}) – Baseball
Scottie Scheffler ({{flag|USA}}) – Golf

|{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/espys/story/_/id/40520337/2024-espys-winners-list |title=2024 ESPYS: Here is the list of winners |website=ESPN.com |date=July 11, 2024 |access-date=July 11, 2024}}

Statistics

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Multiple winners and nominees

scope=col | Name

! scope=col data-sort-type="number" | Wins

! scope=col data-sort-type="number" | Nominations

scope=row | {{sortname|Tiger|Woods}}

| 5

| 8

scope=row | {{sortname|Lance|Armstrong}}

| 4

| 6

scope=row | {{sortname|LeBron|James}}

| 3

| 8

scope=row | {{sortname|Patrick|Mahomes}}

| 2

| 3

scope=row | {{sortname|Barry|Bonds}}

| 1

| 4

scope=row | {{sortname|Tom|Brady}}

| 1

| 4

scope=row | {{sortname|Michael|Jordan}}

| 1

| 4

scope=row | {{sortname|Michael|Phelps}}

| 1

| 4

scope=row | {{sortname|Stephen|Curry}}

| 1

| 3

scope=row | {{sortname|Shohei|Ohtani}}

| 1

| 2

scope=row | {{sortname|Steve|Young}}

| 1

| 2

scope=row | {{sortname|Giannis|Antetokounmpo}}

| 1

| 1

scope=row | {{sortname|Drew|Brees}}

| 1

| 1

scope=row | {{sortname|Kevin|Durant}}

| 1

| 1

scope=row | {{sortname|Ken|Griffey Jr.}}

| 1

| 1

scope=row | {{sortname|Michael|Johnson|Michael Johnson (sprinter)}}

| 1

| 1

scope=row | {{sortname|Mark|McGwire}}

| 1

| 1

scope=row | {{sortname|Dirk|Nowitzki}}

| 1

| 1

scope=row | {{sortname|Alexander|Ovechkin}}

| 1

| 1

scope=row | {{sortname|Cal|Ripken Jr.}}

| 1

| 1

scope=row | {{sortname|LaDainian|Tomlinson}}

| 1

| 1

scope=row | {{sortname|Russell|Westbrook}}

| 1

| 1

scope=row | {{sortname|Peyton|Manning}}

| 0

| 4

scope=row | {{sortname|Aaron|Rodgers}}

| 0

| 4

scope=row | {{sortname|Kobe|Bryant}}

| 0

| 3

scope=row | {{sortname|Jimmie|Johnson}}

| 0

| 3

scope=row | {{sortname|Connor|McDavid}}

| 0

| 3

scope=row | {{sortname|Miguel|Cabrera}}

| 0

| 2

scope=row | {{sortname|Tim|Duncan}}

| 0

| 2

scope=row | {{sortname|Nikola|Jokić}}

| 0

| 2

scope=row | {{sortname|Mario|Lemieux}}

| 0

| 2

scope=row | {{sortname|Hakeem|Olajuwon}}

| 0

| 2

scope=row | {{sortname|Shaquille|O'Neal}}

| 0

| 2

scope=row | {{sortname|Albert|Pujols}}

| 0

| 2

scope=row | {{sortname|Barry|Sanders}}

| 0

| 2

{{col-3}}

class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Winners by nationality

scope=col | Country

! scope=col data-sort-type=number | Winners

! scope=col data-sort-type=number | Nominations

scope=row | {{flag|USA}}

| 28

| 76

scope=row | {{flag|DEU}}

| 1

| 1

scope=row | {{flag|GRE}}

| 1

| 1

scope=row | {{flag|RUS}}

| 1

| 1

scope=row | {{flag|JPN}}

| 1

| 2

scope=row | {{flag|DOM}}

| 0

| 4

scope=row | {{flag|CAN}}

| 0

| 6

scope=row | {{flag|VEN}}

| 0

| 3

scope=row | {{flag|SER}}

| 0

| 3

scope=row | {{flag|ARG}}

| 0

| 1

scope=row | {{flag|ESP}}

| 0

| 1

scope=row | {{flag|GBR}}

| 0

| 1

scope=row | {{flag|FIJ}}

| 0

| 1

scope=row | {{flag|SUI}}

| 0

| 1

{{col-3}}

class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"

|+ Winners by sport

scope=col | Sport

! scope=col data-sort-type=number | Winners

! scope=col data-sort-type=number | Nominations

scope=row | Basketball

| 9

| 33

scope=row | American football

| 6

| 27

scope=row | Baseball

| 5

| 24

scope=row | Golf

| 5

| 11

scope=row | Road cycling

| 4

| 6

scope=row | Ice hockey

| 1

| 7

scope=row | Swimming

| 1

| 4

scope=row | Track and field

| 1

| 1

scope=row | NASCAR

| 0

| 4

scope=row | Tennis

| 0

| 3

scope=row | Boxing

| 0

| 2

scope=row | College football

| 0

| 2

scope=row | Collegiate wrestling

| 0

| 1

scope=row | Formula One

| 0

| 1

scope=row | Motorsport

| 0

| 1

scope=row | Skiing

| 0

| 1

scope=row | Soccer

| 0

| 1

{{col-end}}

See also

Notes

{{notes}}

References

{{reflist|30em}}