Joel McHale Will Host ESPY Awards 2015

Joel McHale Will Host ESPY Awards 2015

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“The Soup” host will helm a sports award show for first time

Joel McHale, best known for his work in “Community”, will host this year’s ESPY Awards, ABC reports. The Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award (ESPY) will take place at Nokia Theatre L.A. and will be broadcast on ABC on July 15.

This will be McHale first stint as a host of ESPY Award but he has done similar gigs before. He is the host of E!’s show “The Soup”, where he provides a comic recap or commentary on the major events of the week in the popular culture and most recently, he has helmed White House Correspondent’s Dinner.

On McHale’s selection as the host of award show, ESPN Films and Original Content senior vice president Conner Schell commented. “Joel is an extremely talented performer, a unique voice and a huge sports fan. His experience as a comedian and love of sports make Joel the perfect host for the ESPYs’ inaugural broadcast on ABC.”

Executive producer Maura Mandt added. “I’ve had the opportunity to work with Joel on previous projects and he’s an enthusiastic fan whose talent will bring a new spin to the night’s celebration.”

McHale is not only a huge sports fan but it also turned out that he was on the University of Washington’s football for year and a half and also participated in the school’s rowing program.

When asked about how he himself feels about hosting a sports award show, McHale said. “I’m thrilled to be hosting The ESPYS. Just ecstatic.” McHale added. “After my stunning victory in the Iditarod this year by only using six Bichon Frises and a lamb, I think the sports world saw me as the logical host.”

The ESPY Awards are organized annually to cherish the major sports achievements and recognizing the contributions of the leading athletes and performers. Awards in multiple categories are handed over to the best of the best sports personalities. The show also raises $1 million each year which is spend on The V Foundation – a charity founded by late basketball coach Jim Valvano for cancer research.