Women’s Sports WIll Take Center Stage at The 2024 ESPYS Live Tonight On ABC

LOS ANGELES – The ESPYS have always been a night of celebration, recognition, and inspiration, honoring the best in sports.

This year’s show, hosted by tennis legend Serena Williams, promises to be no different. With her unparalleled charisma, Williams joins top celebrities from the sports and entertainment worlds to celebrate the past year in sports while recognizing major achievements, reliving unforgettable moments, and honoring the year’s standout athletes.

ESPN will honor athletes and sports leaders for their courage, perseverance, and service with three special accolades. Steve Gleason will receive the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage, Dawn Staley will receive the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, will receive the Pat Tillman Award for Service ahead of the show, airing live tonight at 8 ET on ABC from The Dolby Theatre.

Front Row had the opportunity to speak with Kate Jackson, Vice President of Production at ESPN, who provided exclusive insights into the production of The 2024 ESPYS.

What makes The 2024 ESPYS special compared to previous years?
Women’s sports are having a real moment in pop culture, and The 2024 ESPYS will reflect that. The show is going to highlight incredible sports performances from the year, unprecedented comebacks, and groundbreaking performances. This year’s show will highlight stories that showcase athletic excellence and the profound impact sports have on society.

How do you go about planning and developing an event as significant as The ESPYS?
Planning The ESPYS is a year-round effort in collaboration with a huge team. The team overseeing the show is full of creative and talented humans. We are in constant creative brainstorms and working with meticulous attention to detail. We have an enormous team dedicated to creating a show that makes you cheer, laugh, and hopefully moves your spirit.

Can you share any behind-the-scenes challenges that come with producing The ESPYS?
A three-hour awards show has a lot of moving parts. Coordinating schedules for athletes, celebrities, and performers is complex. Integrating live elements and dynamic presentations involves extensive rehearsals and contingency planning. And like any live show, you have to be ready to pivot in real-time for all the things you can’t predict.

What new elements or surprises can viewers expect in this year’s show?
I think this year’s show will be full of surprises, including multiple musical acts. We are also debuting augmented reality graphics to enhance our set design throughout the theater.

What do you hope the audience will take away from The 2024 ESPYS?
I hope the incredible stories of resilience, perseverance, and triumph inspire the audience. The ESPYS celebrate athletic excellence, the human spirit, and its capacity to overcome adversity. Ultimately, I hope the show makes everyone cheer, laugh, and even cry. I hope it makes everyone feel uplifted and motivated to pursue their passions and dreams.