Comedian Shane Gillis ignited a firestorm of reactions with his provocative opening monologue at the 2025 ESPY Awards on July 16, 2025, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, particularly with a controversial Caitlin Clark joke.
Targeting WNBA star Caitlin Clark, who was absent, Gillis quipped that she’d work at a Waffle House post-retirement to “continue fist-fighting Black women,” drawing both laughter and discomfort from the star-studded crowd.
His edgy humor, which also touched on Jeffrey Epstein and political figures like Donald Trump, underscored the delicate balance between comedy and sensitivity, sparking heated online debates about the appropriateness of his remarks.
The 2025 ESPY Awards, a celebration of athletic excellence, took an unexpected turn when host Shane Gillis delivered a 10-minute monologue that pushed boundaries and divided audiences. Known for his irreverent style, Gillis, a 37-year-old comedian and “Tires” actor, targeted several high-profile figures, including WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark.
His Caitlin Clark Waffle House joke, suggesting she’d continue “fist-fighting Black women” after retiring, referenced a 2023 on-court incident involving Clark, amplifying its controversial edge.
While some attendees chuckled, others, as captured by cameras, appeared visibly uneasy, highlighting the polarizing nature of Gillis’ humor.
Gillis didn’t stop at Clark. He ventured into surreal territory, joking that Joe Rogan tasked him with “capturing” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, whom Rogan allegedly believes is an alien, and that Donald Trump wanted him to nab Yankees star Juan Soto for the same reason.
This absurd quip elicited laughs but also raised eyebrows for its bizarre premise. His reference to Jeffrey Epstein, however, proved particularly divisive.
Gillis remarked, “There was supposed to be an Epstein joke here, but I guess it got deleted. Probably deleted itself, right?” alluding to the financier’s scandal-plagued legacy.
Some sources suggest Disney, ESPN’s parent company, censored a more explicit version, though others report only its mention, leaving ambiguity around its reception.
Social media erupted with reactions to the Shane Gillis ESPY monologue. Fans praised his fearless delivery, with one post calling it “the smartest thing ESPN has done in forever,” while others slammed the Caitlin Clark controversy as “tasteless” and “racist.”
Critics argued that Gillis’ edgy ESPY humor crossed a line, especially given the awards’ traditionally uplifting tone. One user noted, “He’s doing it on purpose, knowing people will freak out,” reflecting Gillis’ history of leaning into controversy, as seen during his brief 2019 “Saturday Night Live” stint, where he was fired over past offensive remarks.
The monologue also included a nod to Norm Macdonald’s 1998 ESPYS hosting, with Gillis recycling a joke about O.J. Simpson while congratulating Heisman winner Travis Hunter: “That’s something they can never take away unless you kill your wife and a waiter.”
This drew mixed reactions, with some appreciating the callback and others finding it dated. Gillis’ mispronunciation of WNBA legend Diana Taurasi’s name as “Deanna” further fueled awkward moments, with Taurasi visibly unamused.
Despite these missteps, lighter jabs, like one about NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander putting everyone “in foul trouble,” landed better, showing flashes of Gillis’ comedic skill.
The Caitlin Clark Waffle House joke, in particular, dominated discussions, with people debating its racial undertones and comedic intent. Clark, a 2024 WNBA standout, has faced scrutiny for on-court altercations, but Gillis’ framing drew accusations of insensitivity.
The controversy reignited broader conversations about the role of comedy in sports entertainment, especially at an event honouring figures like Simone Biles, who won Best Women’s Athlete, and Katie Schumacher-Cawley, recipient of the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
Some argued Gillis’ provocative style clashed with the ESPYS’ celebratory spirit, while supporters lauded his authenticity.
Gillis acknowledged the mixed reception, closing with, “I see a lot of you don’t like me, and that’s OK. That went exactly how we thought it would go.”
His self-awareness did little to quell the backlash, as ESPN executives reportedly faced scrutiny for selecting him, given his controversial past.
Netizens suggested internal meetings were imminent, reflecting the network’s challenge in balancing edgy humor with its audience’s expectations.
The Shane Gillis ESPY monologue has since become a lightning rod for debates on free speech, comedy boundaries, and cultural sensitivity in sports media.
For those seeking 2025 ESPY Awards updates, Gillis’ performance remains a focal point, overshadowing moments like Biles’ dual wins and Taurasi’s Icon Award.
The Jeffrey Epstein ESPY joke, though vague in execution, tapped into ongoing public fascination with the case, especially after recent Justice Department findings dismissed a “client list.” Meanwhile, the Caitlin Clark controversy continues to trend, with fans and critics alike dissecting Gillis’ intent.
