Presenters Announced for The 2008 ESPYs
Hosted by Justin Timberlake

Lance Armstrong, Jason Bateman, David Beckham, Kristen Bell, Sophia Bush, Ashanti, Zac Efron, Brendan Fraser, Samuel L. Jackson, Jet Li, Steve Nash, David Ortiz, Candace Parker, Danica Patrick, Annika Sorenstam, Kate Walsh and Luke Wilson
Named Presenters for the 16th Annual ESPYs, Televised
Sunday, July 20 at 9 P.M. ET on ESPN and ESPN HD

Additional ESPYs-Related Programming Announced for July

PRESS NOTE: For a credential application to The 2008 ESPYs or more information, including official ESPYs photos, go to http://www.espnmediazone.com/press_kits/espys. 

Host Justin Timberlake will be joined on stage by the world’s premier athletes and Hollywood’s biggest stars when The 2008 ESPYs co-presented by HUMMER and Under Armour comes to Los Angeles next month.  The 16th annual celebration of the best moments from the year in sports will be televised on ESPN and ESPN HD, Sunday, July 20, at 9 p.m. ET. 

This year’s presenters will include Lance Armstrong, Jason Bateman (Hancock), David Beckham (LA Galaxy),  Kristen Bell (When in Rome, Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Sophia Bush (One Tree Hill), singer/actress Ashanti, Zac Efron (Seventeen Again), Brendan Fraser (The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor), Samuel L. Jackson (Lakeview Terrace), Jet Li (The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor), Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns), David Ortiz (Boston Red Sox), Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks), IndyCar racer Danica Patrick, golfer Annika Sorenstam, Kate Walsh (Private Practice) and Luke Wilson (Henry Poole Is Here) with more to be announced in the coming weeks. 

For the fifth time in the event’s 16-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 and, for the first time, via text message at espn.mobi.  Voting begins when nominees are announced July 1 at www.espys.tv, and runs through 11:59 p.m. ET on July 12.

Additional ESPYs-related programming includes The ESPY Nomination Show, July 1 at 8 p.m. on ESPN, Countdown to The ESPYs, July 20 at 8 p.m. on ESPN2, and the half-hour special ESPYs Backstage, July 21 at 10 p.m. on ESPN2.  Plus, live red carpet coverage from the ESPYs taping on July 16 will be available exclusively at ESPN360.com at 7 p.m.

For the first time in several years, a limited amount of $100 ESPYs tickets are available for public purchase through www.ticketmaster.com. 

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 2008 ESPYs co-presented by HUMMER and Under Armour 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.

*The show will be taped at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on Wednesday, July 16 at 6 p.m. PT. 

** For a credential application to The 2008 ESPYs or more information, including official ESPYs photos, go to http://www.espnmediazone.com/press_kits/espys. 

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