After their World Cup win last Sunday, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team unsurprisingly dominated the award show, winning Best Team and drawing chants for equal pay.Photo: Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images
The focus on the women's team continued the trends from last year's award show, which had its first woman host and a courage award for female survivors of former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar's sexual abuse. Chants of "equal pay" followed the USWNT win, referencing the movement to pay female athletes the same as their male counterpoints. In another highlight, U.C.L.A. gymnast Katelyn Ohashi gave a memorable speech on body shaming.
According to longtime executive producer Maura Mandt, the political and cultural moments the ESPYs have become known for are never planned. “The athletes are the biggest part of what this show has become,” she told the Hollywood Reporter last week. “It is because of their vulnerability in their speeches, and what they have done. We build a stage, quite literally, and offer them a platform … But I don’t think the production or the producers can take credit for any kind of impact that the athletes' stories we cover have on the world. We are only as good as the stories we have to tell.”
The themes of inclusivity and inspiration continued to the red carpet, where sponsor Nike asked athletes to write down the reasons sports matter to them. Similarly, an ESPN-hosted town hall the day of the show saw athletes discussing the role societal issues, including race, play in the sports community.
Throughout the week, ESPN also showcased its longtime commitment to sustainability, working with Kilowatt Events to create a red carpet made from recyclable materials and using drought-resistant succulents in place of flowers. The official post-party, produced by 15/40 Productions, continued that trend: All service ware was made from compostable materials, and a 70-foot tree—which served as a focal point of the event—was later repurposed as landscaping.
The ABC broadcast generated 3.9 million viewers, on par with last year's show. Scroll down for a look inside the live telecast, the pre- and post-parties, and more.
![The 27th Annual ESPY Awards](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/RS672741_2010907010__E2X6738.5d2c932a100aa.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![After their World Cup win last Sunday, the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team unsurprisingly dominated the award show, winning Best Team and drawing chants for equal pay.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/RS672606_20190710_JF2_9469.5d2c932a25e05.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![ESPY Awards After-Party](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/E2019.Espys.01.5d2c90b12a63c.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The party’s central focal point was a tree that spanned 70 feet in diameter with a trunk constructed from fiberglass. The 600 branches had been trimmed from trees on a farm, which producers describe as a natural process to help the trees grow stronger and longer. After the ESPYs party, the branches were repurposed as landscaping. Below the tree was a bar from sponsor Coors Light that was framed with mountain archways.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/E2019.Espys.06.5d2c90b12f619.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Catering stations were built underneath a series of patina-finished archways on the sides of the event space; at the end of the night, 3,000 doughnuts were served as a late-night snack. To honor ESPN’s environmental efforts, all service ware was made from compostable materials.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/E2019.Espys.10.5d2c90b12d9b6.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Throughout the evening, rapper 2 Chainz and DJ Niks entertained the crowd of athletes and other guests. Other entertainment included an immersive experience for Cadillac, which allowed guests to virtually drive a luxury car.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/E2019.Espys.28_copy.5d2c90b12dce1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Outside of the main tent, guests were welcomed with a massive sign displaying the #ESPYS hashtag.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/RS672761_2010907010_1JO_7071.5d2c8f7abc902.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![ESPY Awards Pre-Party](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/EEHF_87_HDR.5d2c91b2c81d2.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Fiore Designs handled florals, which included a greenery-filled photo op at the entrance to the event.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/IMG_8026.5d2c91b2e0775.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The greenery continued to the DJ booth, which was decorated with cacti.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/IMG_8031.5d2c91b2ebb81.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![ESPY Awards Red Carpet](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/RS672392_2010907010__E2X5209.5d2c927c37f5c.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![Sponsor Nike asked athletes on the carpet to sign cards describing why sports matter to them. “Sport matters to me because it challenges you, and challenge is something I invite in my life,” wrote Rob Mendez, a high school football coach born without arms or legs who received the night’s Jimmy V Award.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/RS672452_2010907010__E2X5686.5d2c927be74c1.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![ESPYs presenting sponsor Capital One hosted a red carpet camera, which recorded slow-motion videos of athletes.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/RS672749_2010907010__E2X6631.5d2c927c10868.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The Undefeated Lounge](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/RS673670_20190709_416A6136.5d2cf164f322f.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![ESPN Town Hall](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/RS673683_20190710_20190710_1JO_6536.5d2cf16a84423.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![ESPN's Sports Humanitarian Awards](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/RS671464_201090709_ELB1496.5d2c93cc7050e.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)
![The V.I.P. dinner featured simple blue and white florals as centerpieces, tying into the blue tones of the stage design.](https://img.bizbash.com/files/base/bizbash/bzb/image/2019/07/RS671363_201090709_E1X7043.5d2c93cc63435.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&q=70&w=400)