Marcello Hernández, a comedian from "Saturday Night Live," opened the 2026 ESPY Awards in New York City with a monologue that included jokes directed at several prominent sports figures. The ceremony, held Wednesday night, also recognized Jason Collins posthumously with the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage and Jim Abbott with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance.
Hernández's jokes targeted Jake Paul, Tiger Woods, and Bill Belichick. Addressing Jake Paul, Hernández quipped about his history of fighting older opponents, suggesting Paul fight his father and stepfather instead. Paul, who was in the audience, appeared to take the joke in stride.
The comedian also made a joke about Tiger Woods's 2026 arrest on DUI charges in Florida, stating that Woods would appear on the cover of "Grand Theft Auto." Woods had previously announced he would take time away from golf to seek treatment following the incident.
Bill Belichick, the 74-year-old coach, was also a subject of Hernández's humor. The comedian referenced Belichick's relationship with his girlfriend, Jordon Hudson, to illustrate how long ago the New York Knicks last won a championship in 1973.
The New York Knicks were honored with the ESPY for Best Team. During the acceptance speech, player Jalen Brunson joked about the absence of teammate Josh Hart. Earlier in the evening, Brunson also received the award for Best Championship Performance. The ESPYS ceremony, which celebrates achievements in sports, was held in New York this year after previously being hosted in Los Angeles.