Indiana’s football program capped a historic season by finishing 16‑0 and capturing the College Football Playoff national championship, a feat that had not been achieved in the state’s modern era.
The ESPY Awards, held in New York on July 15, honored the New York Knicks with the ‘Best Team’ trophy, a decision that drew a sharp rebuke from veteran broadcaster Dan Patrick, who argued the accolade should have gone to the Hoosiers.
A Controversial Decision
Patrick, who has long chronicled Indiana’s struggles, joked that if the ceremony had taken place in Bloomington the award would have been theirs, and he highlighted the Knicks’ multiple wins, including the ‘Best Play’ for OG Anunoby’s Game 4‑winning tip‑in.
Among the individual honorees, quarterback Fernando Mendoza of Indiana was celebrated with the ESPY for Best Male College Athlete, while Knicks guard Jalen Brunson joined OG Anunoby in accepting team accolades.
Producer Paul Pabst expressed surprise at the outcome, noting the significance of Indiana’s championship and the unexpected shift in the awards narrative.
The ceremony also recognized champions from the WNBA, MLB, NHL, NFL and other leagues, underscoring the breadth of sports celebrated, while the controversy sparked conversation about the criteria used by the ESPYs to honor teams.