Ciara Named Host of ESPN's 2019 Sports Humanitarian Awards, Nominees Announced

Grammy winner Ciara has been named the host of the 2019 Sports Humanitarian Awards, ESPN announced Wednesday.

The fifth annual Sports Humanitarian Awards presented by ESPN will be held on Tuesday, July 9, at L.A. Live’s The Novo in Los Angeles, on the eve of the 2019 ESPY Awards.

“My family and I have witnessed first-hand the positive impact humanitarian efforts can have locally and globally,” Ciara, who is married to Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, said. “I am honored to celebrate athletes who are using their platforms to inspire, motivate and empower.”

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The singer will also take the stage for a special musical performance with songwriter Andy Grammer.

This year sees Chris Long, Reggie Bullock, Yadier Molina and Sloane Stephens as finalists for the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award.

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Others recognized for their impact on the community aside from their sporting achievements include Tyler Trent and Lina Khalifeh, who were named Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award Honorees.

The Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Fire Soccer Club, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York City Football Club are all nominated for Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year finalists. The award represents a sports club/team that demonstrates how teamwork can create a measurable impact on a community or cause, with the winner able to direct a $100,000 grant from ESPN to the qualified charity related to the award-winning humanitarian efforts.

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The net proceeds of the event will once again benefit the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund at the V Foundation. To date, $7.5 million has been donated to the community on behalf of the Sports Humanitarian Awards.

The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on July 9 and highlights of the evening will be showcased during a one-hour program on ESPN, July 18, at 7 p.m. ET.

Danica Patrick, Sage Steele and Sister Survivors Lead Female Empowerment at espnW Summit (Photos)

The ninth annual espnW: Women + Sports Summit kicked off at the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach, California, on Monday, where the biggest names in sports, business and media tackled difficult topics from sexual abuse, gender equality and creating opportunities for athletes with special needs.
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On Monday afternoon, Danica Patrick told Hannah Storm how she's become a "small business owner" since retiring from professional motor racing earlier this year.
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ESPN's Hannah Storm interviewed 2018 ESPYs host, NASCAR and IndyCar champion, Danica Patrick.
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Nine-time host Sage Steele opened the espnW Summit Monday afternoon.
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Olympic gold medalists Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson, Hilary Knight, Meghan Duggan and Kendall Coyne Schofield talked with Julie Foudy about standing up to the International Ice Hockey Federation in their fight for equality.
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Beth Mowins, Doris Burke, Sage Steele, Sam Ponder and Maria Taylor join forces for "Breaking Barriers in Sports Media" panel.
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Connor Schell, ESPN executive vice president, content, laughed and swapped notes with Sage Steele ahead of the "Breaking Barriers in Sports Media" panel.
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Grammy-nominated singer Andra Day talked to espnW's "Be Honest" host and "SportsCenter" co-anchor Cari Champion about her empowering hit song "Rise Up," which became the anthem for the week.
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Andra Day got the crowd in on the action as they surged the stage to close out her intimate performance on Monday night.
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"SportsCenter" co-anchor Cari Champion presented her signature "Be Honest" segment.
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Maverick Carter proved he's so much more than LeBron James' best friend and manager when he detailed their growing entertainment empire. Stressing the importance of authenticity, "if you build it on bulls--t, it won’t last," he told Cari Champion.
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"Sister Survivors" Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber and Sarah Klein talked with ESPN's Mina Kimes about testifying against Dr. Larry Nassar and fighting to make gymnastics safe for all girls.
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ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro flew in from New York City just for a W Spotlight conversation with Sage Steele on Wednesday (pictured with director espnW Rachel Epstein), where he talked about both successes and failures, including letting his family dogs escape when first moving to Connecticut to take his new job.
Aspiring business women from around the world gathered on the stage to honor the Global Sports Mentoring Around the World on Tuesday night.
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An international soccer breaks out ahead of the Global Sports Mentoring Around the World presentation.
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Andra Day’s ”Rise Up“ becomes the theme song for ESPN’s annual gathering of the world’s female athletes, leaders in the sports world and industry influencers

The ninth annual espnW: Women + Sports Summit kicked off at the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach, California, on Monday, where the biggest names in sports, business and media tackled difficult topics from sexual abuse, gender equality and creating opportunities for athletes with special needs.

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Danica Patrick, Sage Steele and Sister Survivors Lead Female Empowerment at espnW Summit (Photos)

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