During his monologue, Gillis was pointing out some of the stars in attendance at the event. When he introduced WNBA legend Diana Taurasi, he mispronounced her first name as "Deanna." That prompted Taurasi to shake her head and make a disapproving expression, which was caught on camera.

The ESPYS celebrated the biggest names in sports with professional athletes and humanitarians recognized for their achievements on and off the field.

During his opening monologue, Gillis nodded to the Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark, who couldn’t make the ceremony owing to her travel schedule with the team. After noting he and Clark had both “nailed a bunch of threes,