How the 2024 ESPYS Celebrated a Milestone Year for Women's Sports

Tennis icon Serena Williams made her hosting debut for an award show whose winners included the University of South Carolina women's basketball team, Simon Biles, Caitlin Clark, and Coco Gauff.

Sarah Kloepple

July 18, 2024

In a stacked category that included the Kansas City Chiefs and the Boston Celtics, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball won the award for Best Team.Photo: Courtesy of ESPN Images

LOS ANGELES—On July 11, some of the biggest stars and legends in sports and entertainment descended on the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for The 2024 ESPYS Presented by Capital One. Ciara opened the show with an electrifying performance of some of her greatest hits like "Goodies" and "1, 2 Step," while tennis icon Serena Williams made her hosting debut. (One of her best lines of the night? "LeBron wants to win with his son on his team. I won with my daughter in my belly. I think we know which one is way more impressive," she joked, referring to the fact that LeBron James' 19-year-old son was recently drafted to the Los Angeles Lakers, meaning they might play on the same NBA court together.)

Winners and honorees of the night included Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex (accompanied by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex), who took home the Pat Tillman Award for Service for his time in the U.K. military and his work with the Invictus Games; Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown for Best Championship Performance; and Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for Best Male Athlete.

But the show was also a testament to a milestone year in women's sports. The University of South Carolina women's basketball team took home the award for Best Team, while head coach Dawn Staley was honored with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance. Caitlin Clark, although not at the show in person, accepted her two awards for Best College Athlete, Women's Sports and Best Record-Breaking Performance with a video message shown during the ceremony. Other winners of the night included Simone Biles, A'ja Wilson, and Coco Gauff.

Of course, such a big night in sports requires a bevy of pre- and post-ceremony celebrations. Keep scrolling to see more from inside those events, as well as a look at the 2024 ceremony...

ESPYS Red Carpet

The ESPYS Red Carpet, with title sponsor Capital One, took over the entrance to the Dolby Theatre, where the ceremony was held on July 11.

Photo: Courtesy of ESPN Images

ESPYS Ceremony

This year's ESPYS ceremony was hosted by tennis icon Serena Williams.

Photo: Courtesy of ESPN Images

Although not in attendance (she's busy in Indianapolis), Caitlin Clark remotely accepted the Best Record-Breaking Performance Award.

Photo: Courtesy of ESPN Images

In a stacked category that included the Kansas City Chiefs and the Boston Celtics, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball won the award for Best Team.

Photo: Courtesy of ESPN Images

A performance from Ciara kicked off the ceremony.

Photo: Courtesy of ESPN Images

ESPYS Post Party

Following the ceremony, guests arrived at The Hollywood Roosevelt for the official ESPYS Post Party presented by Simply Spiked.

Photo: Courtesy of ESPN Images

AKJOHNSTON and ESPN collaborated for their second consecutive year to produce the Post Party. The teams activated three footprints throughout the hotel and welcomed over 1,100 guests spanning athletes, influencers, and other celebrities. Guests started their journey by entering through a gradient, futuristic entrance that amplified designs from the award show’s live programming.

Photo: Matt Lara Photography

For a memorable photo op, guests could perch on this life-size lemon that highlighted the party’s sponsor, Molson Coors' Simply Spiked.

Photo: Matt Lara Photography

"It has been a privilege to collaborate with ESPN for the second consecutive year," AKJOHNSTON senior producer Emily N. Crawford told BizBash. "Despite facing unforeseen challenges, the role of a producer remains fulfilling when design and sophistication successfully enhance the experience for both attendees and clients."

Photo: Matt Lara Photography

Sushi, anyone? A showstopping sushi display was on hand for peckish guests.

Photo: Matt Lara Photography

The '60s-style historic pool of the hotel was covered by 3,200 square feet of sustainable material to create a footprint for a dance floor and elevated lounge seating.

Photo: Matt Lara Photography

The night concluded with a performance by Grammy-nominated rapper GloRilla. Notable attendees included Damar Hamlin, Terrell Owens, Randi Mahomes, and Jayden Daniels.

Photo: Courtesy of ESPN Images

Sports Humanitarian Awards

Along with sports superstars, the ESPYS are also about celebrating the best in humanity. The Sports Humanitarian Awards take place each year during ESPYS week to celebrate and honor athletes, teams, and sports industry professionals who use the power of sport to make a difference in their communities. This year, the Sports Humanitarian Awards returned July 10 for an evening celebrating honorees who use sport to make a positive impact on society.

Photo: Courtesy of ESPN Images

Top awards of the night include the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award, which is given to a current or former professional, Olympic, or Paralympic athlete whose leadership has created a measured positive impact on their community through sports; and the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award, which celebrates and honors high school and college students using the power of sport as a catalyst for change and making a positive impact on society.

Photo: Courtesy of ESPN Images

This year, Kai Lenny and Archie Kalepa accepted the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award on behalf of the entire Maui surf community for their recovery efforts after the devastating wildfires that impacted Maui, Hawaii.

Photo: Courtesy of ESPN Images

The ESPYS Athlete Lounge

Ahead of the award show, stars like Selling Sunset's Jason Oppenheim and viral TikToker Chris Olsen enjoyed pre-event festivities at The ESPYS Athlete Lounge, which returned to Pendry West Hollywood.

Photo: Daniel Stark/ESPN Images

The day included branded photo moments, happy hour cocktails, and a live DJ.

Photo: Daniel Stark/ESPN Images

Attendees were also treated to on-site gifting from major brands like Alo, Yeti, and OSEA, plus revitalizing treatments at the wellness lounge. The experience was produced by Event Eleven.

Photo: Daniel Stark/ESPN Images

Athleta's Power of She Luncheon

Ahead of the ESPYS ceremony, official sponsor Athleta hosted its Power of She Luncheon on July 10 at The Maybourne Beverly Hills. The event was co-hosted by actress, activist, and Angel City FC investor Sophia Bush and ESPN multimedia journalist Ari Chambers.

Photo: Getty Images for Athleta

The event highlighted nominees for the ESPYS Best College Athlete Women’s Sports, an award sponsored by Athleta.

Photo: Getty Images for Athleta

Select nominees who participated in the event included Haleigh Bryant (LSU Gymnastics), Sarah Franklin (Wisconsin Volleyball), and Izzy Scane (Northwestern Lacrosse), as well as gold medal para snowboarder and fellow 2024 ESPYS nominee Brenna Huckaby. During their panel conversation, the women discussed leadership, self-confidence, inclusivity, teamwork, and the positive impact sports have on girls and women.

Photo: Getty Images for Athleta

Guests at the luncheon included celebrated athletes, brand executives, press, and VIPs including Robin Arzón (head instructor for Peloton), Jessie Diggins (Olympic cross-country skier), and Christine Monjer (president of the Los Angeles Sparks).

Photo: Getty Images for Athleta