Sharp ESPYs Humor
Marcello Hernández Hosts 2026 ESPYs, Delivers Sharp Monologue Roasting Sports Figures
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Key Points
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The ESPYs were hosted by Marcello Hernández at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City.
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Hernández roasted Jake Paul early in the monologue, joking that Paul should fight Hernández's dad and stepdad in the crowd.
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The monologue referenced Tiger Woods’ DUI arrest from March and his past driving incidents as part of jokes about Woods.
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He joked about the WNBA’s new collective bargaining agreement and quipped that the higher salaries could fund a ‘basketball wives’-style reality show.
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Hernández delivered a nepotism joke about Jalen Brunson and Bronny James, referencing Rick Brunson and the coach’s involvement, which drew visible audience reaction.
Comedian Marcello Hernández hosted the 2026 ESPYs at the David H. Koch Theater in New York City, delivering a sharp opening monologue that roasted everyone from Tiger Woods to Bill Belichick. The Saturday Night Live star's jokes drew loud reactions from a crowd packed with athletes and celebrities, according to Yahoo Sports.
Hernández leaned into current sports headlines and pop culture to fuel his material. He took aim at Jake Paul, Tiger Woods' recent legal troubles, and even last year's ESPYs host Shane Gillis, making the monologue one of the night's most talked-about moments, Primetimer reported.
Jake Paul Fight Joke Lands Early in Monologue
Hernández wasted no time going after Jake Paul. He joked that Paul — known for boxing fights against men well over 50 — should instead fight Hernández's own father and stepfather, who were both sitting in the crowd. The bit played on Paul's habit of choosing older opponents and got a big laugh from the audience, according to Yahoo Sports.
The joke set the tone for the night. Hernández showed he was willing to go after big names without pulling punches, using personal details to make the roasts feel fresh rather than recycled.
Tiger Woods DUI Arrest Becomes Punchline of the Night
Hernández went hard at Tiger Woods. He referenced Woods' DUI arrest from March and his long history of driving incidents. One joke compared Woods to a Grand Theft Auto character on the game's cover — a nod to his pattern of car troubles. The line drew a visible reaction from the crowd, TDPEL Media reported.
Woods has faced multiple driving-related incidents over the years, making him an easy — if risky — target. Hernández leaned into that history fully, showing no fear about poking one of golf's biggest legends in front of a live audience.
Belichick, Brunson, and Bronny Round Out the Roast List
Hernández also took a swing at Bill Belichick and his much-younger girlfriend, Jordon Hudson. The joke zeroed in on the age gap between the two, drawing gasps and laughs in equal measure, according to Clutch Points. It was one of the monologue's most controversial moments.
During award-related bits, Hernández fired off a nepotism joke aimed at Jalen Brunson and Bronny James. He referenced Rick Brunson, Jalen's father and an NBA coach, tying both Brunson and Bronny to famous-father advantages. The crowd's reaction was loud and immediate. He also quipped about the WNBA's new collective bargaining agreement, joking that the league's higher salaries could fund a basketball wives-style reality show.
Hernández Takes a Viral Shot at Last Year's Host Shane Gillis
One of the night's most talked-about moments came when Hernández took a dig at Shane Gillis, who hosted the ESPYs in 2025. The line went viral quickly after the show, with clips spreading across social media, according to Geo.tv. Hernández did not spell out the joke in detail on air, but the audience reaction made clear it landed.
The Gillis jab fit neatly into Hernández's broader style for the night. He mixed sports history with pop culture and personal comedy to keep the monologue moving. Primetimer described the jab as 'playful,' noting it capped off a strong opening set that cemented Hernández as a natural fit for live awards hosting.
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