Count Sarah Spain among those who weren’t impressed with Shane Gillis’ performance as ESPYs host.
In a post shared early Thursday on X, the former ESPN reporter called out the Worldwide Leader for bringing the comedian into the fold as emcee, who took shots at Megan Rapinoe, Caitlin Clark and the WNBA during his divisive outing.
“In a year of crazy growth for women’s sports choosing an ESPYs host who doesn’t even try to make clever jokes about women athletes (he at least attempted for the men) he goes with hacky ‘no one knows the WNBA’ bits, ‘Pinoe is a bad time’ & repeatedly insults Black women. COOL,” Spain wrote.
Gillis took aim at Rapinoe, an outspoken social rights activist, by stating it was “nice” that the soccer legend wasn’t going to make the show.
When the crowd did not respond, Gillis paused and chuckled, “No? We’re going to pretend that she’s a good time? Alright.”
Gillis also enlisted a friend’s wife to fool the crowd inside the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles as part of a WNBA joke.
“Four-time WNBA All-Star Brittany Hicks is here, everybody, give it up for Brittany,” the “Tires” actor began.
As the crowd applauded, Gillis replied, “I’m just joking around. That’s my friend’s wife, I knew none of you knew WNBA players. That’s crazy you clapped for that.”
Hicks, a businesswoman and her husband, comedian Matt McCusker, were seen laughing when the camera panned to them.
Elsewhere in the night, Gillis roasted Aaron Rodgers and President Trump in his monologue, not to mention Bill Belichick and his romance with 24-year-old Jordon Hudson.