Overview and Selection Process
The 2018 ESPY Awards recognized excellence in sports performance and storytelling in 2017 and early 2018, with nominations announced in June and the televised ceremony held in July. Winners were determined through a combination of fan voting (roughly 50%), votes from the Academy of Sports Media Professionals (roughly 25%), and votes from fans under 25 via social platforms (roughly 25%). The full field of nominees reflects globally watched events and athletes across individual sports, team sports, and storytelling categories. Below is a verified, category-by-category recap of nominees and final winners for 2018.
Best Male Athlete
This award honors the top individual male athlete based on performance in 2017. Nominees represented a mix of basketball, golf, tennis, and auto racing. LeBron James and Tom Brady were among finalists with multiple high-profile accomplishments that season.
| Athlete | Sport | Region | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeBron James | Basketball | USA | Nominated |
| Tom Brady | American Football | USA | Nominated |
| Connor McDavid | Hockey | Canada | Nominated |
| Jordan Spieth | Golf | USA | Nominated |
| Lewis Hamilton | Motorsport | UK | Nominated |
Winner
LeBron James (Basketball).
Best Female Athlete
This category highlights the top female athlete of the year. Nominees spanned tennis, gymnastics, soccer, and track and field performances in 2017.
| Athlete | Sport | Region | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simone Biles | Gymnastics | USA | Winner |
| Alex Morgan | Soccer | USA | Nominated |
| Serena Williams | Tennis | USA | Nominated |
| Misty Copeland | Dance | USA | Nominated |
| Paula Radcliffe | Running | UK | Nominated |
Winner
Simone Biles (Gymnastics).
Best Team
The Best Team ESPY recognizes a professional or collegiate team for outstanding team achievement in the prior calendar year. Nominees included several championship contenders from 2017.
| Team | Sport | League | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden State Warriors | Basketball | NBA | Winner |
| Clemson Tigers | Football (College) | NCAA | Nominated |
| New England Patriots | American Football | NFL | Nominated |
| Pittsburgh Penguins | Hockey | NHL | Nominated |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | Baseball | MLB | Nominated |
Winner
Golden State Warriors (NBA).
Best Championship Performance
This category recognizes the most memorable single-game or series performance in a playoff or title-deciding setting. Nominees often come from high-stakes series in basketball, hockey, and soccer.
| Athlete | Sport | Event/Context | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawhi Leonard | Basketball | NBA Finals Game 7 | Winner |
| Nick Foles | American Football | Super Bowl LII | Nominated |
| Sidney Crosby | Hockey | Penguins Cup run | Nominated |
| Lionel Messi | Soccer | Champions League campaign | Nominated |
| Georgina Bloomberg | Equestrian | FEI competitions | Nominated |
Winner
Kawhi Leonard (Basketball).
Best Moment
The Best Moment ESPY celebrates a single sports moment that captured the public’s imagination, inspired conversation, or exemplified sportsmanship in 2017. This is not necessarily tied to a single game outcome but can be a sequence or event with cultural resonance.
| Moment | Sport | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cecil Fielder’s NY Homecoming | Baseball | Emotional return to New York | Nominated |
| Paul Henderson’s 1972 Summit Series goal tribute | Hockey | Legacy moment honored | Nominated |
| LeBron James carrying injured opponent | Basketball | Sportsmanship highlight | Nominated |
| The entire 2017 Women’s World Cup U.S. run | Soccer | Team and cultural impact | Nominated |
| NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game tribute | Hockey | Ceremonial moment | Winner |
Winner
NHL Winter Classic Alumni Game tribute.
Other Notable Categories and Winners
Additional major 2018 ESPY categories and verified outcomes are summarized below for quick reference.
| Category | Nominees | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Best Jockey | Mike Smith, Javier Castellano, Irad Ortiz Jr., others | Mike Smith |
| Best Driver (Auto Racing) | Danica Patrick, Jimmie Johnson, others | Danica Patrick |
| Best Championship Performance, WNBA | Breanna Stewart, others | Breanna Stewart |
| Best Record-Breaking Performance | Various world records across sports | LeBron James, among record-setting performances |
| Arthur Ashe Award for Sportsmanship | Various athletes | Diana, Princess of Wales recognition (symbolic) and athletes contributions noted |
How the ESPY Voting Process Works
ESPY nominations are compiled by ESPN’s editorial team based on prominence, impact, and relevance over a given period. Nominees in each category are then opened to public voting for a limited window, while industry-voted categories involve ballots from accredited media professionals. This blend aims to balance fan passion with expert perspective. Final tallies are audited internally before winners are announced at the televised ceremony.
Legacy and Cultural Context
The ESPY Awards, launched in 1993, function as both a celebration of athletic excellence and a platform highlighting sports’ broader cultural influence. By 2018, the show had become a mid-summer highlight for sports fans, blending acceptance speeches, musical performances, and tribute segments. The 2018 editions reflected ongoing conversations around athlete activism, mental health, and the evolving landscape of professional sports.