Sports Humanitarian Awards to World Cup final: New York’s blockbuster sports weekESPNESPN staffJul 17, 2026, 08:35 PM ETMultiple Authors
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If you hadn’t heard yet, New York is the place to be this summer.
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It’s not just the tourist appeal, the architecture or even the lights Alicia Keys sang about in “Empire State of Mind.” This summer, sports are moving New York to center stage, with historic championships, the world’s biggest sporting event and some of pop culture’s biggest names converging on the city.
Some might say it all began when the New York Knicks clinched a spot in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, then capped the run by winning their first title in 53 years.
Since then, the New York Liberty claimed a second Commissioner’s Cup title in Brooklyn, and the wedding of Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden brought another wave of star power to the city.
And that was only the beginning.
Jay-Z returned home for a three-night concert series at Yankee Stadium the weekend before Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers arrive for a marquee showdown against the New York Yankees.
This week? The Sports Humanitarian Awards and ESPYS brought the biggest names in athletics to the Big Apple, Gotham FC set a new attendance record for a women’s sports event in New York City and Fanatics Fest is welcoming stars such as LeBron James and Tom Brady to Manhattan. It all builds toward the FIFA World Cup final Sunday, capping one of the busiest stretches on the city’s sports calendar in recent memory.
Here are the highlights from New York City’s stretch as the summer sports mecca.
Friday, July 17
Tom Brady, Logan Paul put on a show at Fanatics Fest
Fanatics Fest, the four-day fan and collecting spectacle in New York City, had an unexpected jolt of energy late Friday afternoon. At the end of a panel discussion with Tom Brady, Karl-Anthony Towns, Logan Paul and retired Dutch soccer player Wesley Sneijder, with hundreds of fans watching or filing out, Brady and Paul got into a heated discussion about … their card collections? The value of Brady’s Bowman Chrome rookie card? A big trade that one reneged on? Hard to say. Suddenly, Brady slapped Paul as Towns intervened to break up the discussion.
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The hottest spot at Fanatics Fest? Wherever Jay-Z and LeBron are
There was a huge ruckus at the Javits Center causing a traffic jam — and then you looked up. Jay-Z, LeBron James, Rich Paul and Draymond Green were having drinks to the sounds of Maxwell, Dwele and Hov’s wife, Beyoncé.
Karl-Anthony Towns was also in the area trying to get Jay-Z’s attention.
Karl-Anthony Towns tries to say what’s up to Jay-Z, LeBron James, Draymond Green, and Rich Paul, but Hov is deep in conversation and KAT is in a time crunch. pic.twitter.com/isi7maGpM7
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
Jay-Z is in the house
The hip-hop legend joined LeBron, Draymond Green and Rich Paul in the 40/40 Club.
Spotted at the 40/40 Club: LeBron James, Jay-Z, Draymond Green and Rich Paul pic.twitter.com/AdJqwwsF3d
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
Jay-Z gave the fans a wave after hearing “Hova” chants pic.twitter.com/mIc9uf7f24
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
Anthony Edwards reveals nominees for ‘Believe That’
The Minnesota Timberwolves guard stopped by Fanatics Fest and revealed a little bit about his offseason activities before talking about potential winners of the “Believe That” awards.
Anthony Edwards tells the crowd why he can’t accept the “face of the league” title yet: pic.twitter.com/3w1o3keGcS
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
Anthony Edwards says LaMelo Ball has been at his house over the past couple of days and that he values the relationship they’re building.
He also mentioned they’ve been working on their postgame interviews: pic.twitter.com/ybZZu0zYOW
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
Anthony Edwards revealed he and Karl-Anthony Towns spoke before every game in the NBA Finals. He gave KAT tips on guarding the Spurs in the Finals. pic.twitter.com/HVAWwwnbl6
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
Anthony Edwards’ dream job after hoops is interesting, but it checks out.
His choice? A head football coach.
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
Anthony Edwards revealed the nominees for “White Boy of the Year” for the “Believe That Awards.”
He mentioned the winner “gotta have swag.”
– Justin Bieber
– Tom Holland
– Matt Damon
– Erling Haaland
– Rory McIlroy
– Travis Kelce
– Sam Darnold
– Ernie Johnson
– Jacob Elordi pic.twitter.com/ssqhd5A5Nn— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
Anthony Edwards revealed the nominees for “OG of the Year” for the “Believe That Awards”
– Michelle Obama
– Barack Obama
– Denzel Washington
– Kevin Garnett
– Dolly Parton
– Steven Spielberg
– Oprah Winfrey
– Samuel L. Jackson
– Deion Sanders pic.twitter.com/MTtjWlGkOE— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
Fans show out for LeBron and ‘The Shop’
No decision from LeBron James yet — much to the chagrin of the crowd — but he did drop some hints.
LeBron James: “We do not have an announcement to make just yet.” pic.twitter.com/7P5HOUGvT2
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
He also teased fans saying: “somewhere sunny.” https://t.co/4dOMXwRJ13
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
Novak Djokovic also joined “The Shop” to talk about his loss to Jannik Sinner.
Novak Djokovic on his loss to Jannik Sinner in the semi-final at Wimbledon: pic.twitter.com/FjYJwECTqb
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
Djokovic on playing against the younger generation of tennis: “I wanna kick their ass.”
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
Breakout USMNT star Folarin Balogun also showed up, revealing a little about the team’s locker room culture.
Folarin Balogun of the USMNT joins LeBron James on “The Shop”: pic.twitter.com/F4AU2ZWceJ
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
Balogun says that Victoria Monet’s “On My Mama” was the USMNT locker room
anthem. They have good taste.— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 17, 2026
Sights and sounds from Brunson, Hart and Judge’s ‘Roommates Show’ live taping
Josh Hart’s jumper is a bit rusty it seems but I give him the benefit of the doubt with the small hoop pic.twitter.com/nNSGlEIfhK
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart agreed that Mitchell Robinson was the funniest player on their championship team
Brunson mentioned that Hart is the biggest clown, though pic.twitter.com/cxkCKv7wTb
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Josh Hart gives an inside glimpse of the Knicks locker room when they were down by 29 points at halftime to the Spurs in Game 4: pic.twitter.com/36s7Yn74z2
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge just arrived on stage with Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart: pic.twitter.com/ZBxYFumhNi
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
MVP chants are ringing for Jalen Brunson at Fanatics
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart on how the Knicks turned their losses into wins on their championship run: pic.twitter.com/55kF8oVK0p
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
NBA champions Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson arrive at Fanatics Fest: pic.twitter.com/LtYWsnlCAX
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
The crowd for Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Aaron Judge is insane: pic.twitter.com/pOIvxBEF7U
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
The crowd waiting to get into Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Aaron Judge’s live taping of the “Roommates Show”: pic.twitter.com/AyAuJAFgI7
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Darth Vader goes 1.1 and more from Disney Fan Draft
Tom Brady and No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza make the first pick for the Las Vegas Raiders: Darth Vader pic.twitter.com/0DCEcogYhg
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Wayne Chrebet and C.J. Mosley announce the New York Jets’ pick in the Fan Draft: Buzz Lightyear pic.twitter.com/F76akT6b4c
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Dion Dawkins revealed the Buffalo Bills’ pick in the Disney Fan draft: The Beast from “Beauty and the Beast” pic.twitter.com/6h172ZoGTB
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Rob Gronkowski revealed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ pick: Captain Hook pic.twitter.com/2HJEZ8WJrP
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Megan Keller has the New England Patriots’ Fan draft pick: Captain America pic.twitter.com/FysQsY9d5K
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Mario Manningham and Hakeem Nicks revealed the New York Giants’ Fan
Draft pick: Wreck-It-Ralph pic.twitter.com/0WfbEX5HRX— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Santana Moss and Nick Cross have the Washington Commanders’ pick: Hamm pic.twitter.com/s2U4FAOSpF
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Emmitt Smith and Alexa Bliss announce the Dallas Cowboys’ pick in the Disney Fan draft: Woody
About time the Cowboys got a steal pic.twitter.com/B7XHAdBXHn
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
LeBron attends Fanatics Fest
LeBron James and Tyrese Haliburton were on hand at Fanatics Fest for a taping of James’ “Mind the Game” podcast. Unsurprisingly, the place was packed with fans — including one young Knicks supporter who gave his pitch for James to come to New York.
Five minutes before LeBron comes on and there’s no more room https://t.co/FLGmQuNipu pic.twitter.com/0vsVLKwuTL
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
This young fan’s pitch for LeBron James to come to the New York Knicks: pic.twitter.com/XtQvdCCimB
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
The audience for James and Haliburton featured a diverse fanbase. Cleveland jerseys. Knicks jerseys. James also mentioned a fan even asked him to sign with the New York Yankees, prompting the NBA star to laugh along with the crowd. The two NBA stars talked about a variety of topics, from James’ decision to keep playing to Haliburton’s pitch for him to join the Indiana Pacers.
LeBron James opens up on his decision to keep playing: pic.twitter.com/YbGnN2HWR6
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Fans in the crowd tell me they’re disappointed that LeBron James did not make a decision today. Fans are clearing out fast.
One fan mentioned he’s considering throwing his jersey away. pic.twitter.com/oLSDULTLuC
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
One takeaway: Tyrese Haliburton mentioned LeBron was “76 years old” the whole taping. Take that what you will.
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Tyrese Haliburton followed up with his “happiness” to be back in New York, and the crowd gave boos in response. https://t.co/T9UxtbqeOZ
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
LeBron James has the wine on deck – day drinking ain’t it?! pic.twitter.com/sAd3kPtZXT
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Tyrese Haliburton says he made a pitch to LeBron to come to the Pacers and got two laughing emojis as a response.
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
LeBron James says he saw a post on social media that whatever team he goes to will be in the play-in, which he says motivated him.
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
This interpreter is going OFF pic.twitter.com/yJUTxrsICO
— Kalan Hooks (@KalanHookstv) July 16, 2026
Tuesday, July 14
Baltimore Ravens win 2026 Sports Humanitarian Award for Team of the Year
The 2026 Sports Humanitarian Award for Team of the Year went to the Baltimore Ravens.
“Our community work is core to who we are as the Ravens … our athletes who leave it all on the field on Sunday, join us every Monday in our community work,” mentioned Ravens’ team president Sashi Brown. “In Baltimore, we pride ourselves in putting our money where our mouth is … count us in for $100,000 [to ESPN’s pediatric cancer research goal].”
ESPN sets goal for pediatric cancer research before Super Bowl
Shortly before the winners for the Corporate Community impact award were revealed, Burke Magnus, ESPN president of content, and Kevin Martinez, ESPN vice president of corporate citizenship, revealed ESPN’s goal of raising $10 million to support pediatric cancer research before Super Bowl LXI.
Magnus noted that $2 million has already been raised for the cause. The charitable theme continued as Jersey Mike’s took home the aforementioned award, in part attributed to the company’s notable fundraising efforts for the Special Olympics.
(Photo by Ben Solomon / ESPN Images)Curry receives Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian awardLonnie Ali, the wife of the late Muhammad Ali, presented Stephen Curry with the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian award. Curry and his wife, Ayesha, were honored for their efforts in supporting their “Eat Learn Play” foundation. Adam Thielen and Damar Hamlin rounded out the category’s nominees.
(Photo by Ben Solomon / ESPN Images)Justin Tuck introduces winner of Philanthropist of the YearNew York Giants legend Justin Tuck introduced New York Giants and Gotham FC co-owner Laurie Tisch as the 2026 winner of the Philanthropist of the Year award for her $10 million, multiyear “Play to Thrive” initiative. “Play to Thrive” promotes youth development and mental health, creating a safe place to play and a chance to feel joy in movement regardless of where children live or their financial situation.
“Growing up, giving to what we believed in was just called doing the right thing — we never called it philanthropy,” Tisch mentioned.
(Photo by Ben Solomon / ESPN Images)Jason and Kylie Kelce present award to Jeffrey LurieTaelor and Sydni Scott, daughters of the late SportsCenter host Stuart Scott, introduced former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce and his wife, Kylie, who presented the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award to Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie.
Lurie was honored for his commitment to making sports more accessible and inclusive, from creating sensory rooms and other game-day accommodations for fans with sensory needs to establishing the Eagles Autism Foundation and Eagles Autism Institute, initiatives that have contributed more than $100 million to autism research.
“Our life’s journey is really about the people who touch us. … I try to live my life in service and gratitude,” Lurie mentioned.
(Photo by Ben Solomon / ESPN Images)Christine Williams kicks off the Sports Humanitarian AwardsSportsCenter host and emcee Christine Williamson began the event with a joke about the Sports Humanitarian Awards being the second-biggest event in town over the past few weeks thanks to a wedding at MSG.(Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images)Stephen and Ayesha Curry arrive at Gotham HallThe Currys have entered the building. The Golden State Warriors star is nominated for the Muhammad Ali award along with Damar Hamlin and Adam Thielen.
(Photo by Phil Ellsworth / ESPN Images)Sports Humanitarian Awards nearing its startThe stage is set for the Sports Humanitarian Awards at Gotham Hall. From Jason and Kylie Kelce to Stephen and Ayesha Curry, the stars are showing out in New York.Gotham Hall before the Sports Humanitarian Awards begin. (Photo by Ben Solomon / ESPN Images)
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