Sports media figure Sarah Spain has unleashed sharp criticism on comedian Shane Gillis for his crude humor targeting female athletes at the ESPY Awards. Her reaction underscores a growing frustration with dismissive attitudes toward women’s sports during a time of remarkable progress.
According to Fox News, Spain took aim at Gillis for his performance on Wednesday night at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. His jokes, including a jab at Caitlin Clark working at a Waffle House post-WNBA career while “fist-fighting Black women,” fell flat with the crowd and drew Spain’s ire.
Spain didn’t hold back on social media, pointing out the lazy stereotyping in Gillis’ act. She noted his failure to craft thoughtful humor about female athletes, unlike his attempts with male counterparts, and called out the tired “no one knows the WNBA” trope alongside personal digs at Megan Rapinoe.
In a year when women’s sports are shattering viewership and cultural barriers, Spain argued that Gillis’ choice of material was particularly tone-deaf. Her post on X highlighted how his insults, especially those targeting Black women, felt like a cheap shot rather than comedy.
“In a year of crazy growth for women's sports choosing an ESPYs host who doesn't even try to make clever jokes about women athletes... he goes with hacky bits,” Spain wrote. Instead of elevating the conversation, Gillis leaned on outdated tropes that undermine the very achievements the ESPYs aim to celebrate.
The crowd’s lukewarm response to the Caitlin Clark joke signaled a broader disconnect. When humor punches down at athletes already fighting for recognition, it’s not just unfunny, it’s a missed opportunity to honor their grit and talent.
Gillis didn’t limit his routine to female athletes, taking swipes at figures like President Donald Trump, Aaron Rodgers, and even Bill Belichick’s personal life. Yet, Spain’s focus remained on the uneven treatment of women in his set, a point that resonates when progress in sports equity is at stake.
Even Gillis seemed surprised at the leeway given by Disney, the event’s broadcaster, for some of his edgier content. After a particularly biting remark about Belichick, he admitted, “They let me do it, I don’t know,” suggesting even he questioned the boundaries of his material.
That self-awareness, however brief, hints at an understanding that not all jokes land as intended. When the punchline diminishes a group already navigating systemic challenges, it’s less about free speech and more about lazy writing.
Hosting a high-profile event like the ESPYs comes with a responsibility to balance humor with respect, especially in a cultural moment where women’s sports are gaining hard-earned ground. Gillis’ reliance on stale gags about the WNBA’s visibility or personal attacks on athletes like Rapinoe shows a lack of effort to engage with the real story of their success.
Spain’s critique isn’t about silencing comedy but demanding better from those given a platform. If you’re going to jest about athletes who’ve fought tooth and nail for their spotlight, at least make it sharp, not a recycled jab that belongs in a bygone era.
The reaction from the Los Angeles crowd further validates Spain’s point, as the silence after certain jokes spoke louder than laughter. Comedy should challenge, not cheapen, and Gillis’ misstep is a reminder of how much work remains to shift outdated mindsets.
As women’s sports continue to redefine cultural narratives, voices like Spain’s are vital in holding public figures accountable for perpetuating tired stereotypes. Her pointed words on X aren’t just a reaction; they’re a push for a higher standard in how we discuss and honor female athletes.
Gillis’ performance, while hitting on other topics with varying success, ultimately stumbled where it mattered most: respecting the very people the ESPYs exist to uplift. Instead of witty commentary, his set offered a shrug to the struggles and triumphs of women in sports, a choice that feels out of step with the times.
The broader lesson here is clear for hosts, comedians, and commentators alike. If the goal is to entertain at an event celebrating athletic excellence, the least one can do is aim for humor that builds up rather than tears down, especially when the spotlight is finally shining brighter on those long overlooked.
