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Nominations set for 2017 Sports Humanitarian Awards in July

Photo of Jennifer PaulettJennifer Paulett Follow on Twitter June 20, 2017

2017 Sports Humanitarian Awards nominees

Mike Greenberg will join Laila Ali as a co-host of the 2017 Sports Humanitarian Awards from The Novo in Los Angeles next month. The hour-long special airs July 25 at 7 p.m. on ESPN. Here are the categories and nominees (unless otherwise noted):

  • Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award finalists: Ernie Els (PGA TOUR), Larry Fitzgerald (NFL’s Arizona Cardinals), Mark Giordano (NHL’s Calgary Flames) and Curtis Granderson (MLB’s New York Mets)
  • Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year Award finalists: Chicago White Sox (MLB), Memphis Grizzlies (NBA), New York City Football Club (MLS) and San Francisco 49ers (NFL)
  • Corporate Community Impact Award finalists: Chevron, DICK’S Sporting Goods, HOK and Under Armour
  • League Humanitarian Leadership Award: Winner to be announced at the dinner, July 11
  • Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award honorees: WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon, Orlando City Soccer Club and the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality

Recently, the 2017 Sports Humanitarian Awards finalists and Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award nominees were announced. Front Row discussed the awards and the plans for this year’s event with Vice President of Corporate Citizenship, Kevin Martinez.

The Sports Humanitarian of the Year Award is now named in Muhammad Ali’s honor. What went into this decision?
Muhammad Ali’s prowess in the ring was unmatched. But what was even more impressive was his ability to effect change. He was an ambassador for peace. He was a voice for those who had none. He taught religious tolerance and he paved the way for other athletes to use their platform to alter social consciousness. He was the ultimate humanitarian, and we are incredibly honored to celebrate his legacy and to recognize the next generation of athletes that are striving to follow in his footsteps.

The Sports Humanitarian Awards were recently named “Best Corporate Social Responsibility Event” by PR News. How has this event gained so much traction in just three years?
Sports has the incredible ability to shape and influence society. From Muhammad Ali to Jackie Robinson to Billie Jean King and so many more, athletes have used their unique platform to tackle pressing needs. These stories can be used to motivate, inspire and jump start those around the community to do the same, and we hope to inspire youth by showing them what greatness looks like and accountability means.

Additionally, the leagues — MLB, MLS, NBA, NFL, NHL, PGA TOUR, USOC, USTA, WNBA and WWE—have been incredible partners for us in the event. They not only submit nominations for each of the awards, but are sponsors with their support going to the Stuart Scott Memorial Research Fund at the V Foundation. It’s really the sports industry coming together to celebrate the best that sports has to offer.

Below is a sampling of some of the social media reaction from the Sports Humanitarian Award nominees.


https://twitter.com/StephMcMahon/status/875079709855449089

Photo of Jennifer PaulettJennifer Paulett Follow on Twitter June 20, 2017
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