Comedian Marcello Hernández opened the ESPYS in New York City on Wednesday night with a monologue that took aim at several high-profile figures in sports and entertainment, including Jake Paul, Tiger Woods, and Bill Belichick. TheSaturday Night Livestar, known for his sharp wit, wasted no time setting the tone for the evening, which celebrated the past year in sports while honoring figures for courage, service, and impact.
Hernández made a boxing-style entrance in a robe, accompanied by Mike Tyson as part of his entourage. «Mike Tyson ripped my watch off. Welcome to the ESPYS!» he joked, referencing Tyson’s infamous 1997 ear-biting incident and his own recent encounter with the former heavyweight champion. The bit immediately engaged the audience, setting the stage for a series of targeted jokes.
Turning to Jake Paul, the YouTube star-turned-boxer, Hernández quipped, «I must say, it's an honor to be here among so many great athletes, and Jake Paul.» The camera cut to Paul, who appeared to take the jab in stride, laughing and applauding. Hernández continued, needling Paul over his history of fighting older opponents. «Jake, that's just a joke. Don't fight me,» Hernández said. «My dad and my stepdad are both here. They're over 50, and I know that's how you like them. So, fight them instead.» Paul kept laughing as the bit played out, and Hernández eventually shifted attention to his father and stepfather, who were shown in the audience.
Hernández then used Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams’ appearance on the cover of the «Madden 27» video game as a lead-in to Tiger Woods. «I want to congratulate Caleb Williams, the quarterback for the Chicago Bears, who will be on the cover of the new Madden video game. Congratulations to Caleb,» Hernández said, before adding, «And Tiger Woods will be on the cover of Grand Theft Auto.» The joke referenced Woods’ March arrest in Florida on charges of DUI after a car crash, during which deputies found pain pills in his pocket and observed signs of impairment. Woods later announced he would take time away from golf to seek treatment.
The comedian also worked North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick into the monologue, using the 74-year-old’s relationship with Jordon Hudson as part of a joke about the New York Knicks’ title drought. «The Knicks won their first championship since 1973. And to put into perspective how long ago that was, in 1973 hockey players didn't wear helmets, basketball had no three point line. And in 1973, Bill Belichick was the age his girlfriend is now,» Hernández said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
The Knicks later took home the ESPY for Best Team, with Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, and other members of the 2025-26 championship team accepting the award. Josh Hart was noticeably absent, prompting Brunson to joke, «I want to say thank you to the ESPYS for pulling Josh Hart’s invite.» Earlier in the night, Brunson also received the Best Championship Performance award.
The ceremony honored several individuals for their contributions beyond sports. Former NBA player Jason Collins, who died in May at age 47 following a battle with Stage 4 glioblastoma, posthumously received the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage. Former MLB pitcher Jim Abbott received the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance, while Scott Ruskan was honored with the Pat Tillman Award for Service.
The ESPYS, held annually, bring together top athletes and other stars to celebrate the best moments from the past year in sports while recognizing figures for courage, service, and impact. This year’s ceremony shifted from Los Angeles to New York, adding a fresh dynamic to the event. The night also coincided with a World Cup semifinal match in Atlanta, where Lionel Messi and Argentina defeated England to punch their ticket to a second straight World Cup final. The defending champions will meet Spain on Saturday in nearby New Jersey.
Hernández’s monologue, which lasted roughly 10 minutes, was well-received by the audience, with many attendees laughing and applauding throughout. The comedian’s ability to blend humor with pointed observations about current sports figures underscored his growing reputation as a versatile performer. The ESPYS continue to serve as a platform for celebrating athletic achievement while also addressing broader cultural moments, and Hernández’s performance added a memorable layer to this year’s event.