Drake will host the 2014 ESPYs

The ESPYs have been hosted by a number of different people throughout the years – comedians, entertainers, actors, and former athletes.  Tony Danza even did it once!  Oh, and there was that year when Lance Armstrong hosted, but let’s just forget about that.

This year, a musician will host the ESPYs as ESPN has turned to the most famous bandwagon sports fan in North America, Drake, to serve as the emcee of the evening.  Drake was last seen at the Final Four supporting his beloved Kentucky Wildcats… or was it UConn he was there to celebrate with?  It’s very difficult to keep up with all of Drake’s allegiances.  Regardless, Drake will have plenty of chances to cozy up to whatever athletes are popular at the time this summer.

More from ESPN:

Grammy Award-winning, platinum-selling recording artist and multi-faceted performer Drake announced today via Twitter that he will host The 2014 ESPYS on Wednesday, July 16, at the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles. The Awards will be televised live starting at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. The ESPYS raise more than $1 million annually for The V Foundation, the charity founded by the late basketball coach Jim Valvano to promote cancer research.

 

Drake will be joined by top athletes and entertainers to celebrate the year’s best moments in sports. Beyond Drake’s numerous and notable accomplishments in the creative space, he is also the Global Ambassador on the executive committee for his hometown’s Toronto Raptors.

 

“Drake is an unbelievably talented entertainer who truly has a passion for sports.  We are thrilled to have him to host this year’s show,” said Connor Schell, vice president, ESPN Films and Original Entertainment, who oversees the ESPYS. 

 

“This is an incredible opportunity for me to combine two of my biggest passions—sports and performing,” said Drake.

To put it nicely, the ESPYs are an acquired taste.  It’s a night by ESPN and for ESPN with the main purpose to celebrate itself and its grandiose vision of some kind of weird celebrity sports utopia.  Sure there are some nice, meaningful moments, but on the whole it may be on the same level as the Pro Bowl in terms of significance on the sporting calendar.

Nevertheless, Drake’s appearance will be interesting if only to see which team and/or superstar he’s rooting for at the time.  Maybe he can try to recreate this with every award winner…

https://twitter.com/chanelpuke/status/453339194883334144

The highlight of the 2014 ESPYs will undoubtedly be Chris Bosh photobombing Drake’s feeble attempt at recreating the Ellen selfie.  You can see it coming from a mile away.

[ESPN]