What to expect at the 2015 ESPYs: Caitlyn Jenner, Joel McHale, Leah Still and more
The 2015 ESPY Awards, hosted by Joel McHale in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, will feature a slew of entertainment and sports stars.
McHale, 43, definitely has the hosting chops for the annual awards ceremony, which recognizes major sports achievements. He hosted "The Soup" on E! for 11 years and emceed the White House Correspondents' Dinner in 2014. Not to mention his starring turn in the sitcom, "Community."
For the ESPYs, he told the Associated Press he plans to touch on the Women's World Cup, the Super Bowl, the Triple Crown and the much-mined Deflategate involving the Patriots and quarterback Tom Brady.
"There are a billion scandals," he said. "Some of those will be hit and others won't because they're way too depressing."
Among those receiving awards is Caitlyn Jenner. Less than two months after her Vanity Fair cover, Jenner will receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. The honor is named for the late tennis player, who was the first African-American male player to win the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. He died after contracting AIDS from a blood transfusion.
"Being honored with this award, which is named after one of my heroes, is truly special," Jenner, 65, said in a statement.
Leah Still, daughter of Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still, will receive the Jimmy V. Perseverance Award. The five-year-old is continuing to receive treatment for neuroblastoma and is in the process of getting a stem cell transplant. With Leah too sick to attend the awards ceremony, her dad will accept the award on her behalf. The Jimmy V. Perseverance Award was named for former North Carolina State men's basketball coach Jimmy Valvano, who died of cancer in 1993.
The late basketball player Lauren Hill, who died from a rare form of cancer at 19, will also be honored.
Nominee highlights include a fresh pick for best male athlete, with NBA MVP Stephen Curry, NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, NFL Defensive Player of the Year JJ Watt and two-time best male athlete-winner LeBron James in the running. It is the first time since 2000 that none of the nominees are returning from the previous year.
UFC champion Ronda Rousey could win a second straight best female athlete honor, while 18-year-old Boston University hockey player Jack Eichel has the chance to become the youngest player to win best male college athlete. Meanwhile, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah is the first horse ever nominated for best championship performance.
Go here for all of the nominees.
The ESPYs will air on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.