Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian 
Award reacipient, Sloane Stephens
Muhammad Ali Sports 
Humanitarian Award:
Sloane Stephens
Team of the Year: 
Indianapolis Colts
Philanthropist of the Year:
Michele Kang
Corporate Impact:
Buffalo Wild Wings
Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award:
Billy Bean
Billie Jean King Youth 
Leadership Award:
Maegha Ramanathan 
Rishin Tandon 
Ian Waite
Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award winners: 
Martha Ramanathan, Rishin Tandon, Ian Waite
THE V FOUNDATION
Sports Humanitarian Awards
Since its inception, the Sports Humanitarian Awards have served as 
a cornerstone of ESPN’s commitment to using the power of sport 
to drive positive social impact, celebrating athletes, teams and 
organizations that create meaningful change in their communities. 
The signature event, held during ESPYS Week, amplified stories 
of service, leadership and purpose across the sports industry. 
Throughout its history, the initiative has been supported by major 
professional leagues and governing bodies, including the NBA, 
NFL, NHL, WNBA, MLB, USTA and others, underscoring a shared, 
cross-league commitment to advancing impact through sport.
The Sports Humanitarian 
Awards and ESPYS serve as 
major platforms to showcase 
leaders driving social change 
through sport. VIPs included The 
Walt Disney Company CEO Bob 
Iger, Willow Bay, Pat McAfee, 
Lonnie Ali, NWSL Commissioner 
Jessica Berman, Sarah Harden, 
Indianapolis Colts Owner and 
Chief Brand Officer Kalen 
Jackson, Mina Kimes, Kasia Kay, 
CJ McCollum, Titus O’Neill, Kim 
Stone and ABC News National 
Correspondent Will Reeve. 
This year, the Sports Humanitarian 
Awards achieved $1.05M in net 
proceeds to the  V Foundation. 
The awards generated 
high-profile coverage across 
ESPN platforms and beyond, 
elevating both visibility and 
impact. Highlights included features on NBA Today, NFL Live and 
the ESPYS Preview Show, dedicated segments on Fútbol Americas 
and Fútbol W, a spotlight on The Pat McAfee Show, expanded reach 
through KABC7, and a national feature on Good Morning America.
The Power of 
“The Speech” & 
Cultural Legacy 
Jim Valvano’s 1993 ESPYS speech remains 
one of the most powerful moments in sports 
history. In 2025, ESPN continued to leverage 
this legacy through refreshed creative assets 
and storytelling that sustain donor engagement 
and inspire new generations.
Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer 
Research Fund
Through integrated digital fundraising, storytelling and on-air moments, ESPN doubled 
online fundraising for the Stuart Scott Fund, advancing research focused on closing gaps 
in cancer outcomes while honoring Stuart Scott’s enduring legacy.
This year, ESPN premiered “Boo-Yah: A Portrait of Stuart Scott”—the newest installment 
in the 30 for 30 series that took an intimate look at the late trailblazing SportsCenter anchor 
who transformed sports broadcasting, brought hip-hop culture to ESPN and inspired 
millions through both his work and his courageous public battle with cancer.
Through the Stuart 
Scott Memorial Cancer 
Research Fund, the 
V Foundation has 
awarded $22.1 million
in grants. 
//    2025 CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP IMPACT REPORT
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