Shane Gillis' acerbic ESPYs speech was directed at Caitlin Clark, Aaron Rodgers, Trump, and numerous others, with a critical edge.
Comedian Shane Gillis hosted the 2025 ESPY Awards on Wednesday night, delivering a monologue that was as divisive as it was entertaining. His sharp wit and edgy humor, laced with political and sports references, left the audience divided, with some cheering and others jeering[1].
Gillis' jokes spanned a wide variety of topics, from Donald Trump wanting to "capture Juan Soto" in an absurdly humorous twist on sports and politics, to a bookie being what Bill Belichick reads to his girlfriend before bedtime[1][3]. The monologue, reminiscent of a roast event more than a typical award show, targeted numerous notable personalities, including Caitlin Clark, Aaron Rodgers, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver[1].
Jokes about WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark were met with some hesitation, as Gillis compared her to himself, stating they are both whites from the Midwest who have nailed a bunch of 3s[1]. He also made a joke about Donald Trump wanting to capture Juan Soto for the same reason.
Gillis' comedy style, while divisive, was not without its moments of levity. One joke that seemed to land well with the crowd was about Bill Belichick and his girlfriend, where he joked that a bookie is what Bill Belichick reads to his girlfriend before bedtime[1].
The monologue was a nod to the late comedian Norm Macdonald, who hosted the awards show in 1998. Gillis reworked a Macdonald joke to fit into 2025, taking aim at a character similar to O.J. Simpson[1]. Other jokes seemed to divide the audience, with some viewers finding them off-color while others appreciated the humor[1].
Shane Gillis, an avid Eagles and Notre Dame fan, also joked about Aaron Rodgers' reluctance to get vaccinated during the COVID-19 pandemic and his tenure with the New York Jets[1]. He also made a joke about Joe Rogan wanting him to capture Adam Silver because Rogan thinks Silver is an alien[1].
In summary, Shane Gillis' ESPYs opening monologue sparked controversy due to its edgy, sharp, and sometimes divisive humor directed at political and sports figures, including Donald Trump and Bill Belichick, contributing to mixed reactions from the audience and viewers[1][3].
Gillis' jokes about celebrities and pop-culture during the ESPY Awards included a comparison of WNBA star Caitlin Clark to himself, both being whites from the Midwest who have nailed a bunch of 3s, similar to his own comedy career[1]. Additionally, he made a pop-culture reference to the bookie being what Bill Belichick reads to his girlfriend before bedtime, which seemed to resonate with the audience[1].
