LeBron James and Jimmy Kimmel
to Host The 2007 ESPYs
ESPN’s 15th Anniversary Telecast to Honor Best in Sports and Entertainment Sunday, July 15 at 9 p.m. ET
The 15th anniversary of The ESPYs will offer viewers a double dose of entertainment when NBA All-Star and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James and late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel team up to host the two-hour celebration of the year’s best sports stories. As the show’s first ever co-hosts, James and Kimmel will lead top athletes and entertainers in attendance through the year’s best plays, biggest upsets and most outstanding performances. ESPN will televise The 2007 ESPYs co-presented by HUMMER and Under Armour from Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre July 15 at 9 p.m. ET with additional unique content available on a variety of ESPN multimedia platforms including ESPN.com, ESPN360.com and ESPN International.
“As we celebrate our 15th year of honoring the best sports stories, it’s fitting that we have two hosts who reflect the spirit of the show: to bring together the biggest stars in sports and entertainment for one night,” said Maura Mandt, ESPN executive producer for The 2007 ESPYs. “Trust me, viewers won’t want to miss LeBron’s monologue and Jimmy's behind-the-back 360-degree dunk.”
James, winner of the ESPY for Best Breakthrough Athlete in 2004, has established himself as an internationally recognized basketball superstar and one of the world’s premier athletes. Since joining the NBA in 2003, James has electrified fans across the globe as the youngest player in league history to win Rookie of the Year honors and reach 7,000 points. At just 22 years old, he is proof plenty that age is just a number. The ESPYs will represent James’ first TV hosting experience.
“I am very excited to be co-hosting The 2007 ESPYs in honor of the show’s 15th anniversary,” said James. “It’s going to be a great celebration of the year in sports and I’m looking forward to sharing the stage with Jimmy Kimmel, one of the funniest people in the entertainment industry.”
 Kimmel, a two-time ESPYs presenter, hosts his own late night talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live on ABC and has hosted the American Music Awards three times (2003, 2004 and 2006).
“I am delighted to have been asked to host The 2007 ESPYs, but as a father, it is especially exciting to be asked to host with my son LeBron,” said Kimmel.
The 15th Anniversary of The ESPYs
To celebrate the 15th anniversary, ESPN will present additional ESPYs programming. Dates will be announced soon for:
- The ESPYs Nomination Special – begins debate on the nominees and breaks down the categories;
- Arthur Ashe Special - revisits the stories from the prestigious Arthur Ashe Courage Award;
- ESPYs Preview Show – kicks off ESPYs night;
- ESPYs Backstage - following the award show on ESPN, viewers can go behind the scenes for an all-access pass to the hottest room in sports.
The ESPYs
The ESPYs gather top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, reliving unforgettable moments and saluting the leading performers and performances. The 2007 ESPYs will include both sport-specific awards such as Best MLB Player and Best WNBA Player and distinguishing “Best in Sport” awards, categories that pit different sports against each other, such as Best Team or Best Female Athlete. The ESPYs are committed to the advancement of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, established by ESPN with the late Jim Valvano and announced at the inaugural ESPYs in 1993.
For the fourth time in the event’s 15-year history, fans will determine the winners in all categories (except the Arthur Ashe Courage Award and other special awards) by voting online at www.espys.tv starting June 25 through July 10.
*The show will be taped on Wednesday, July 11 at 6 p.m. PT.
**Official ESPYs photos are available here
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