NFL Nation

          Sports Humanitarian Awards to World Cup final: New York's blockbuster sports week

          ESPN
          • ESPN staffJul 17, 2026, 03:12 PM ET

          If you hadn't heard yet, New York is the place to be this summer.

          It's not just the tourist appeal, the architecture or even the lights Alicia Keys sang about in "Empire State of Mind." This summer, sports are moving New York to center stage, with historic championships, the world's biggest sporting event and some of pop culture's biggest names converging on the city.

          Some might say it all began when the New York Knicks clinched a spot in the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999, then capped the run by winning their first title in 53 years.

          Since then, the New York Liberty claimed a second Commissioner's Cup title in Brooklyn, and the wedding of Taylor Swift and Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce at Madison Square Garden brought another wave of star power to the city.

          And that was only the beginning.

          Jay-Z returned home for a three-night concert at Yankee Stadium the weekend before Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers arrive for a marquee showdown against and the New York Yankees.

          This week? The Sports Humanitarian Awards and ESPYS brought the biggest names in athletics to the Big Apple, Gotham FC set a new attendance record for a women's sports event in New York City and Fanatics Fest is welcoming stars such as LeBron James and Tom Brady to Manhattan. It all builds toward the FIFA World Cup final Sunday, capping one of the busiest stretches on the city's sports calendar in recent memory.

          Here are the highlights from New York City's stretch as the summer sports mecca.

          The hottest spot at Fanatics Fest? Wherever Jay-Z and LeBron are

          There was a huge ruckus at the Javits Center causing a traffic jam -- and then you look up. Jay-Z, LeBron James, Rich Paul and Draymond Green were having drinks to the sounds of Maxwell, Dwele and Hov's wife Beyoncé.

          Karl-Anthony Towns was also in the area trying to get Jay-Z's attention.

          Jay-Z is in the house

          The hip-hop legend joined LeBron, Draymond Green and Rich Paul in the 40-40 Club.

          Anthony Edwards reveals nominees for "Believe That"

          The Minnesota Timberwolves guard stopped by Fanatics Fest and revealed a little bit about his offseason activities before talking about potential winners of the "Believe That" awards.

          Fans show out for LeBron and "The Shop"

          No decision from LeBron James yet -- much to the chagrin of the crowd -- but he did drop some hints.

          Novak Djokovic also joined "The Shop" to talk about his loss to Jannik Sinner.

          Breakout USMNT star Folarin Balogun also showed up, revealing a little about the team's locker room culture.

          Sights and sounds from Brunson, Hart and Judge's "Roommates Show" live taping

          Darth Vader goes 1.1 and more from Disney Fan Draft

          LeBron attends Fanatics Fest

          LeBron James and Tyrese Haliburton were on hand at Fanatics Fest for a taping of James' "Mind the Game" podcast. Unsurprisingly, the place was packed with fans -- including one young Knicks supporter who gave his pitch for James to come to New York.

          The audience for James and Haliburton featured a diverse fan base. Cleveland jerseys. Knicks jerseys. James also said a fan even asked him to sign with the New York Yankees, prompting the NBA star to laugh along with the crowd. The two NBA stars talked about a variety of topics, from James' decision to keep playing to Haliburton's pitch for him to join the Indiana Pacers.

          Baltimore Ravens win 2026 Sports Humanitarian Award for Team of the Year

          The 2026 Sports Humanitarian Award for Team of the Year went to the Baltimore Ravens.

          "Our community work is core to who we are as the Ravens ... our athletes who leave it all on the field on Sunday, join us every Monday in our community work," said Ravens' team president Sashi Brown. "In Baltimore, we pride ourselves in putting our money where our mouth is ... count us in for $100,000 [to ESPN's pediatric cancer research goal]."

          ESPN sets goal for pediatric cancer research before Super Bowl

          Shortly before the winners for the Corporate Community impact award were announced, Burke Magnus, ESPN president of content, and Kevin Martinez, ESPN vice president of corporate citizenship, announced ESPN's goal of raising $10 million to support pediatric cancer research before Super Bowl LXI.

          Magnus noted that $2 million has already been raised for the cause. The charitable theme continued as Jersey Mike's took home the aforementioned award, in part attributed to the company's notable fundraising efforts for the Special Olympics.

          Curry receives Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian award

          Lonnie Ali, the wife of the late Muhammad Ali, presented Stephen Curry with the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian award. Curry and his wife, Ayesha, were honored for their efforts in supporting their "Eat Learn Play" foundation. Adam Thielen and Damar Hamlin rounded out the category's nominees.

          Justin Tuck introduces winner of Philanthropist of the Year

          New York Giants legend Justin Tuck introduced New York Giants and Gotham FC co-owner Laurie Tisch as the 2026 winner of the Philanthropist of the Year award for her $10 million, multiyear "Play to Thrive" initiative. "Play to Thrive" promotes youth development and mental health, creating a safe place to play and a chance to feel joy in movement regardless of where children live or their financial situation.

          "Growing up, giving to what we believed in was just called doing the right thing -- we never called it philanthropy," Tisch said.

          Jason and Kylie Kelce present award to Jeffrey Lurie

          Taelor and Sydni Scott, daughters of the late SportsCenter host Stuart Scott, introduced former Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce and his wife, Kylie, who presented the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award to Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie.

          Lurie was honored for his commitment to making sports more accessible and inclusive, from creating sensory rooms and other game-day accommodations for fans with sensory needs to establishing the Eagles Autism Foundation and Eagles Autism Institute, initiatives that have contributed more than $100 million to autism research.

          "Our life's journey is really about the people who touch us. ... I try to live my life in service and gratitude," Lurie said.

          Christine Williams kicks off the Sports Humanitarian Awards

          SportsCenter host and emcee Christine Williamson began the event with a joke about the Sports Humanitarian Awards being the second-biggest event in town over the past few weeks thanks to a wedding at MSG.

          Stephen and Ayesha Curry arrive at Gotham Hall

          The Currys have entered the building. The Golden State Warriors star is nominated for the Muhammad Ali award along with Damar Hamlin and Adam Thielen.

          Sports Humanitarian Awards nearing its start

          The stage is set for the Sports Humanitarian Awards at Gotham Hall. From Jason and Kylie Kelce to Stephen and Ayesha Curry, the stars are showing out in New York.