Shane Gillis BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

This week was a landmark one for Shane Gillis, as he cemented his status among America’s most provocative comedic voices by hosting the 2025 ESPYs at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre, broadcast nationally on ABC and streaming via ESPN Plus. ESPN’s announcement made headlines since Gillis is the first non-athlete comic to host in some time, following sports legends like Serena Williams and Stephen Curry. Variety emphasized that Gillis, now riding the momentum from his Netflix series ‘Tires’ and a sold-out international arena stand-up tour, was handpicked not just for his comedy stature but also because he’s an unapologetic sports fan. Social media platforms lit up with live clips and strong reactions to Gillis’s ESPYs monologue, which featured his signature edgy takes, direct jabs at sports figures like Donald Trump and Juan Soto, plus jokes touching on Bill Belichick, Shedeur Sanders, and a now-viral riff about the mysterious Epstein client list.

The WNBA segment generated the most sustained mainstream coverage and controversy, with commentators like Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg on The View openly criticizing his material as over the line and “missing the audience” according to their on-air discussion. Gillis clapped back on his ‘Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast’ by mocking their “understanding of comedy,” while fan accounts and independent reviewers on sites like Whiskey Riff and YouTube overwhelmingly praised his set as bold and exactly what awards shows need, noting that laughter was high in the room even as some media called the monologue divisive. As reported by AOL, his Caitlin Clark joke in particular set off a flurry of backlash on TikTok and in sports press, with major outlets noting that while Gillis faced pushback from “woke” segments, his profile and reach only seemed to rise in the process.

Meanwhile, news of his expanding tour—“Shane Gillis Live” hitting 27 cities globally and breaking ticket records in Toronto and Philadelphia—continued to amplify his post-ESPYs buzz. His Des Moines date at Wells Fargo Arena is already being touted as a local must-see for 2025. Throughout the week, Gillis’s name trended across Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, with memes, highlight reels, and podcast soundbytes sustaining his visibility and fueling debates about the limits and purpose of comedy in sports entertainment. There are no credible reports of any professional fallout from the ESPYs gig, and all indicators point to Gillis leveraging both the controversy and the celebratory reaction to further entrench himself as a headliner at the intersection of comedy, sports, and the culture wars.

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Shane Gillis BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Shane Gillis just landed one of the biggest gigs in comedy this week, headlining the 2025 ESPY Awards as host. ESPN tapped Gillis, underscoring his current mainstream momentum, with the show airing live from Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre and streaming on major platforms. Variety and AOL both broke the news, emphasizing not only the sports connection—Gillis was almost a Division I football player—but also the cultural significance, since comedians seldom headline the ESPYs, which are typically helmed by star athletes. In his own words to Variety, Gillis said, I’m excited to be at The ESPYS this year. I like sports so this should be a good time. ESPN’s executive producer Craig Lazarus called him a top comedian and a huge sports fan, emphasizing this move as an effort to refresh the show and boost ratings.

The ESPYs monologue indeed delivered. WhiskeyRiff recapped a set full of bold material, including jokes about Donald Trump, Juan Soto, Bill Belichick, and, most contentiously, about WNBA star Caitlin Clark and the league. The monologue drew both applause and criticism, with social media and broadcast pundits quickly weighing in. The controversy peaked with backlash over the Caitlin Clark bit, widely discussed across entertainment headlines and by outlets like AOL Entertainment and mainstream news. On The View, Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg criticized Gillis for his approach, fitting a pattern for comedians hosting big rooms, while Gillis, true to form, clapped back playfully at their lack of comic grit on his own Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast.

Reception among viewers was more divided. On YouTube, major commentary praised the monologue’s structure and bold energy, while several publications called Gillis divisive but conceded he held the challenging audience well. A viral TikTok clip labeled him a highlight despite a tough room. He also lit up Instagram and Twitter, with fans and haters dissecting the set in real time.

Beyond the ESPYs, Gillis’s touring juggernaut continues. He’s announcing major new arena dates for Shane Gillis Live, returning to Des Moines in May 2025 after setting records in Philadelphia and Toronto. This follows the continued success of his Netflix show Tires and his critically acclaimed stand-up special Beautiful Dogs. Business-wise, he’s one of the only stand-ups consistently selling out major arenas, a sign of both commercial and cultural clout.

In terms of long-term impact, the ESPYs hosting gig solidifies Gillis’s A-list status, placing him among only a handful of non-athletes trusted to host sports’ biggest night and confirming his reinvention after the SNL aftermath. The week’s public debate around his monologue signals that Shane Gillis remains one of the most discussed and, for better or worse, influential comics working today. As of now, there are no major new reported controversies or personal life revelations—just a wave of press, selling out arenas, and arguably his most high-profile TV hosting job yet.

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Shane Gillis BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Shane Gillis has rocketed back to the center of the cultural conversation this week, doing what he does best: stirring up headlines, delighting fans, and sparking debate at the highest levels of sport and comedy. ESPN made it official that Gillis is hosting this year’s ESPY Awards at the historic Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, marking him as the first stand-up in years to lead sports’ biggest night after a string of athlete hosts according to ESPN’s announcement. His selection is being positioned as a bold attempt to boost ratings, and Gillis himself told the press, I like sports so this should be a good time, with that trademark deadpan. Onstage, Gillis delivered what Whiskey Riff called an all-time great awards show performance: an opening monologue packed with audacious jokes, from jabs about Donald Trump and Juan Soto to roasting Bill Belichick’s notorious love life, poking fun at Shedeur Sanders, dropping a Jeffrey Epstein reference, and famously riffing that WNBA star Caitlin Clark might wind up at Waffle House so she can continue doing what she loves most: Fist fighting black women. Even the audience was put to the test, with Gillis exposing their lack of WNBA knowledge by saluting a supposed all-star who was actually just his friend’s wife. While viewers at home—and much of the online world—praised him for keeping comedy unfiltered, the in-room reaction was tense and, unsurprisingly, the hosts of The View panned his routine the next day. Joy Behar noted the audience is there to hear their name called, not laugh, prompting Gillis to respond on his own Matt and Shane’s Secret Podcast by lampooning The View’s grasp of comedy.

Beyond the ESPYs, Gillis remains one of stand-up’s biggest draws. His Live tour is breaking attendance records, recently selling out Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center for the venue’s largest-ever comedy show. With stops coming up at major arenas including Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena and Des Moines’ Wells Fargo Arena, demand is massive—AOL and Ticketmaster report tickets continue to move at breakneck speed. He’s shared casual glimpses of life on the road via Instagram, such as a viral moment after crushing in Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center and another spontaneous appearance at Soup and Shenanigans that had social media humming with #shanegillis. The Hub highlights that Gillis’ rise is symbolic in a post-Colbert era, as network comedy flounders and audiences instead flock to voices like his—unfiltered, unrepentant, built from the ground up. Far from network darling, Gillis is now the guy the institutions can’t ignore, and his unflinching brand of humor is suddenly mainstream.

Unconfirmed buzz around future Netflix projects is circulating, but no official announcement yet. For now, it’s clear: Shane Gillis’ name is everywhere, the jokes are landing, and everyone—including the establishment—is watching closely.

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Shane Gillis BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

The past week has been one of the most high-profile moments in Shane Gillis’s career. On July 16, Gillis hosted the 2025 ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, instantly making national headlines for an opening monologue that took boundary-pushing to new heights. According to Sports Illustrated, Gillis delivered a performance filled with biting jokes targeting everyone from former President Donald Trump to sports icons like Caitlin Clark and Bill Belichick. His jibe about Trump and the Epstein case—saying there was an Epstein joke that must have “deleted itself” and maybe “never existed”—sparked an immediate social media firestorm, with some viewers calling it “brutal” and suggesting he implied Trump was covering something up. The National Desk reports that the punchline resonated particularly sharply in the context of the Department of Justice’s recent decision not to release more Epstein files, which Trump himself labeled as a “hoax” in a Truth Social post the same night, swearing off former supporters who bought into the latest conspiracy chatter.

Fan reaction online was intensely divided, with Bleacher Report and Tribune News recording fierce debates. Some people across X and Instagram praised Gillis for roasting Trump and praised the “comedy gold,” while others accused him of insensitivity, especially around jokes involving Caitlin Clark and a mispronounced Diana Taurasi reference. Athletes at the ESPYs were shown alternately laughing or visibly uncomfortable, a dynamic widely shared in memes and reaction videos over the following days. ESPN and Awful Announcing clips of the monologue have each racked up millions of views on YouTube, only amplifying the controversy and fueling the ongoing debate about the line between comedy and insensitivity at major televised events.

While the ESPYs have offered Gillis his widest television platform yet, the fallout has certainly not affected his box-office power as a comic. T-Mobile Center and Shazam both confirm that his arena tour, Shane Gillis Live, continues to break records for comedy ticket sales, with a major show selling out in Kansas City on July 19. The demand across U.S., Canadian, and European dates remains “staggering,” with Gillis setting all-time ticket sales records at multiple arenas, surpassing even acts like Kevin Hart and U2, according to T-Mobile Center. Socially, his edgy ESPYs humor has become the week’s watercooler talk, constantly referenced in Twitter trends and sports debates. There have been no reports of any new business ventures or brand partnerships breaking this week, but with the attention he’s received, the focus is squarely on how his signature style continues to shake up mainstream comedy—and, at least for now, keeps everyone talking.

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Shane Gillis BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Shane Gillis has dominated headlines and social media conversation since his fearless, divisive turn as host of the 2025 ESPY Awards on July 16, sparking a firestorm across sports, comedy, and political circles. Opening the night live at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Gillis delivered a monologue that was as edgy as it was memorable—paying tribute to Norm Macdonald before launching into a barrage of unfiltered jabs at athletes and public figures. The most headline-grabbing moment came when he took aim at Donald Trump with a razor-sharp Jeffrey Epstein punchline, remarking on the White House’s handling of the case and riffing darkly, “Actually, there was supposed to be an Epstein joke here, but I guess it got deleted, probably deleted itself, right? Probably never existed, actually. Let’s move on as a country and ignore that.” According to NBC Montana, this joke immediately ignited debate with some social media users calling it “absolutely brutal” and even pro-Trump commentators admitting Gillis “killed it,” while critics accused him of insensitivity and accused him of implying a cover-up related to the Epstein files.

Gillis didn’t stop there, targeting NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Caitlin Clark, Megan Rapinoe, and DeShaun Watson, among others—a move that led to noticeably mixed reactions in the room and furious commentary online, especially for his jokes about women’s sports. Former ESPN personality Sarah Spain criticized his “hacky” approach and accused him of repeatedly insulting Black women and failing to show respect for the massive growth of women’s sports this year. Despite, or perhaps because of the controversy, Gillis’ appearance became an instant viral sensation. The Big Lead noted that ESPN must have known what they were signing up for and indeed, the monologue has reignited national debate over the risks and responsibilities of hiring comics who specialize in shock value for live television.

In business news, Gillis’ record-breaking comedy tour continued to smash venue records, with his July 19 show at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center among a series of sold-out arena dates. T-Mobile Center reports that continued “staggering demand for tickets” led to additional shows being added across North America and Europe, with Gillis surpassing previous arena records set by heavyweights like Kevin Hart and even the rock band U2.

On the social media front, clips of his ESPYs set rocketed across X and YouTube, logging millions of views, while users split between praising his authenticity and slamming his insensitivity. Some fans called the night “comedy gold” and credit his hosting for drawing audiences to the ESPYs who would not otherwise tune in, as recounted by channels like Joke WRLD, which pointed out that Gillis and his fanbase fundamentally changed the event’s cultural footprint this year.

No additional verified developments or significant business ventures have emerged in the last few days, but the aftershocks of that ESPYs appearance will likely shape the narrative around Gillis’ career—and the broader comedy landscape—for some time to come. There are unconfirmed rumors of late-night invites and new endorsement opportunities, but as of now, these remain pure speculation. The undeniable reality is that Shane Gillis is the most talked-about comic in America this week, for better or worse.

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Shane Gillis BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Shane Gillis has dominated national headlines and social media this past week after hosting the 2025 ESPY Awards with an opening monologue that pulled no punches. At center stage on July 16, Gillis delivered zingers targeting some of the biggest names in sports, but it was his pointed jab at President Donald Trump over the administration’s handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case that set the internet ablaze. The bit—delivered with Gillis’s trademark smirking irreverence—mocked deleted Epstein jokes and implied White House cover-ups, with the comic riffing it had probably “deleted itself” and the country should just move on. That line immediately sparked fierce social media debate and trended on X formerly Twitter, with some calling his joke “absolutely brutal” while others on the Right praised Gillis for his ability to roast across the aisle. At least one Republican commentator posted that Gillis “killed it” and celebrated his style, while another said his Trump impersonation was “comedy gold.” Multiple pundits speculated about whether ESPY producers expected or even hoped for this level of controversy—something that seems par for the course with Gillis, whose reputation as a loose cannon has only grown.

According to KFOX-TV and NBC Montana, the social media response has been split. Some saw the Epstein joke as an overdue mainstream critique of Trump’s record, while hardcore MAGA supporters accused Gillis of selling out. After the broadcast, Trump lashed out on Truth Social, labeling the renewed Epstein controversy a “hoax” orchestrated by “radical left Democrats” and disparaging former supporters now buying into the narrative, adding fuel to the discussion Gillis ignited.

The ESPYs broadcast itself reportedly attracted higher viewership thanks to Gillis’s fanbase, bringing comedy fans to a traditionally sports-focused show. The reception from sports and comedy audiences alike was overwhelmingly positive, with many first-time viewers tuning in solely because Gillis was hosting. YouTube channels and podcasts lit up with reaction videos and recaps praising his performance, with Joke WRLD noting that Gillis “proved he’s capable of putting an entire three-hour program on his back” and suggesting his unique presence gained the ESPYs new viewers that more mainstream comedians like Kevin Hart simply could not attract.

On the business front, Gillis’s momentum is translating to box office gold. Fresh off the ESPYs, he’s extended his sold-out standup tour, adding eleven cities and smashing ticket sales records at six arenas, sometimes besting even Kevin Hart and U2. He performed a high-profile set at the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on July 18 and was in Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center on July 19, with more dates lined up across the US, Canada, and Europe. Resale ticket prices have surged as major venues report historic sellouts, confirming his spot as the most in-demand comic in North America.

While some pundits caution that the ESPYs controversy might bring future backlash, so far, the reaction seems to be cementing Gillis as both a headline-making provocateur and a box office juggernaut. No other significant public missteps or negative stories have emerged since the monologue, and verified reports show Gillis leaning into his newfound mainstream notoriety while packing arenas nationwide.

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Shane Gillis BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Shane Gillis has dominated the headlines the past few days, particularly after his headline-making gig as the host of the 2025 ESPY Awards on July 16. According to CBS News, Gillis kicked off the night with a ten-minute monologue that immediately set a provocative tone, cracking jokes about high-profile sports figures such as Diana Taurasi—whose name he mispronounced to audience discomfort—WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark, and several NFL coaches. The routine veered into even more controversial territory with pointed jokes about President Donald Trump and the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, drawing both laughter and visible unease from the celebrity-studded crowd. CBS News further notes Gillis’ bit poking fun at the NFL’s infamous “tush push” play, featuring Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, was one of the lighter moments that resonated with the Philadelphia crowd. Social media reaction has been polarized, with some calling the performance hilarious and overdue for the ESPYs, while others have slammed Gillis for being “cringey” and crossing lines, as reported in both CBS News and CTInsider.

KOMO News and CBSAustin detailed how Gillis’ ESPYs appearance included a direct jab at Donald Trump over the handling of the Epstein case, quipping that the joke was “probably deleted itself.” That particular moment lit up X and Reddit with speculation and partisan bickering, with some political commentators interpreting the set as a sharp critique of the former president, while others defended Gillis' style as fearless and balanced. The cultural noise only amplified as Grace Brassel, Gillis’ girlfriend and popular TikTok personality, became the focus of fan discussions. Her appearance at UFC events, recent London highlights on Instagram, and rising public profile have fueled online curiosity as to whether she would walk the ESPYs red carpet with him. That speculative buzz is being amplified by blogs and influencer watchers, with some fans describing her as Gillis’ breakout plus-one and even drawing comparisons to power couples in the comedy world.

Meanwhile, on the business front, the Shane Gillis Live tour continues to be an arena-filling blockbuster. Just last night, July 19, Gillis performed in Kansas City at the T-Mobile Center—one stop on an extended run that was expanded to eleven more cities due to overwhelming demand. According to the venue’s promotional materials, the tour has shattered ticket sales records in multiple cities, surpassing benchmarks previously held by superstars like Kevin Hart and U2.

Gillis’ year has been marked by career milestones beyond stand-up and the ESPYs. As highlighted by fan pop-culture blog coverage, he had a turnaround cameo in a Bud Light Super Bowl ad alongside Post Malone and Peyton Manning, starred in Netflix’s Tires, and appeared as a playable character in EA Sports College Football 25. With the ESPYs performance now in the books and clips of his roast going viral on YouTube and ESPN’s social media, Gillis has cemented himself as a provocateur willing to cross lines but capable of filling arenas coast to coast.

There were no credible reports of new scandals or legal issues beyond the controversy generated by his jokes. However, the coming days may yield further fallout or opportunities, depending on how sports world luminaries and Hollywood critics choose to react to Gillis’ very public moment at the center of the sports and comedy intersection.

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Shane Gillis BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Shane Gillis has just marked what may be the most pivotal week of his mainstream breakthrough with a run of wild, buzzed-about moments and headline-making jokes. The comic, known for his raw delivery and relentless energy, hosted the 2025 ESPY Awards on July 16, taking direct aim at some of the biggest names in sports and politics—most prominently, President Donald Trump. During his ten-minute opening monologue, Gillis hammered away at Trump with biting Epstein jokes, riffing on both the Justice Department's refusal to release further Epstein files and Trump's subsequent dismissal of what he labeled the “Jeffrey Epstein Hoax.” According to CBS News Philadelphia, Gillis joked, “Actually, there was supposed to be an Epstein joke here, but I guess it got deleted. Probably deleted itself, right? Probably never existed, actually. Let’s move on as a country and ignore that.” Social media exploded, with some calling his bit “absolutely brutal” and others hailing him for “roasting Trump” and reminding viewers that sometimes you have to be willing to hit everyone—including those in power.

But the Trump jokes weren’t Gillis’s only lightning rod. He also had awkward banter with athletes like Diana Taurasi, calling her “Deanna” before quickly correcting himself, and delivered a controversial Caitlin Clark joke—a moment that drew mixed reactions both in the celebrity crowd and online. Gillis’s performance was described as “hilarious” by some and “cringey” by others, with viral clips circulating everywhere from Reddit sports forums to comedy fan pages. Some sports figures in the audience were visibly stiff, but Gillis remained undeterred, blending Philly Eagles in-jokes and observations on banned NFL plays with roasts of coaches and teams, all of which further cemented his sports-savvy comedy persona.

This high-voltage public appearance capped off a record-commercial year for Gillis. Not only did he drop a firecracker performance at the ESPYs but his Shane Gillis Live tour has become one of the biggest comedy ticket sellers of 2025. According to the T-Mobile Center’s official info, Gillis just broke sellout records—surpassing entertainers like Kevin Hart and even U2—at venues across the US, including a major Kansas City stop on July 19.

Business-wise, he’s everywhere: starring in a Bud Light Super Bowl commercial with Post Malone and Peyton Manning, headlining Netflix’s Tires, and even lending his likeness to EA Sports College Football 25 as a video game character. Fans are equally fascinated by his offstage life, closely tracking whether his girlfriend, TikTok star Grace Brassel, would accompany him to the ESPYs; her rising visibility in pop culture conversations continues to echo Gillis’s own surge to stardom.

In sum, Shane Gillis’s recent days have been a blur of headline-grabbing gags, viral ESPYs moments, record-setting tour dates, and a burgeoning brand that now extends far beyond stand-up. He’s drawn both controversy and applause, but if the last week is any indication, Gillis is stepping further into the comedy A-list—and he might be defining the next era of American stand-up in the process.

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Shane Gillis BioSnap a weekly updated Biography.

Shane Gillis has dominated headlines and social feeds over the past few days with a string of high-profile appearances and major newsworthy moments. On July 16, Gillis hosted the 2025 ESPY Awards, a milestone that solidified not just his mainstream appeal but his daring comic reputation. The opening monologue was instantly infamous—he targeted President Donald Trump with a set of withering jokes connected to the unresolved Jeffrey Epstein case. The punchline included referencing a deleted Epstein joke and a biting implication about the administration’s handling of related information, bringing both raucous applause and some controversy. Social media lit up in the aftermath, with many calling his performance “absolutely brutal” and others accusing him, or praising him, of “going for Trump’s jugular.” X was full of takes, with right-wing users also shouting out Gillis’ comedic fearlessness, while sports and pop culture pundits quickly declared he’d "killed it" at the ESPYs, describing his Trump impersonation as “comedy gold,” and his roast as a standout ESPY moment. On YouTube and ESPN highlights, his monologue and segments mocking various sports teams—anchored by his now-trademark “Go Birds” catchphrase for the Eagles—were among the most replayed and clipped bits from the awards and are still trending. His roast is being called a full-on viral moment by Comedyville and cited as one of the year's most memorable award show openings.

Just as fans were catching their breath, Gillis was back on the road—his “Shane Gillis Live” arena tour has expanded, now including record-smashing dates in Kansas City on July 19 and Oklahoma City on July 18. These shows come on the heels of reports that Gillis has broken ticket sale records at major arenas, surpassing previous marks held by both comedians like Kevin Hart and even acts like U2. Demand for the tour is massive, with tickets selling out in minutes, and new dates being added in response to overwhelming interest across the U.S., Canada, and Europe.

Business-wise, Gillis’ ability to fill arenas is strengthening his status as the top touring comic of the year, while his ESPYs hosting—notably for a sports audience often wary of comedy’s sharp edge—has led to speculation in trade publications about expanded opportunities in film, TV, and live events. Although there are some rumblings about pushback from conservative circles, mainstream coverage overwhelmingly positions Gillis as a comic force breaking through new layers of cultural and audience acceptance. So far, no major brands or media companies have distanced themselves from him. In fact, anticipation is growing around what he’ll do next, as every major pop culture outlet and fan account is still buzzing about his recent ESPYs turn and ongoing sold-out performances.

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This week Shane Gillis made one of the biggest moves of his career, stepping onto the national stage as host of the 2025 ESPY Awards, live from Los Angeles. Variety, AOL, and just about every sports and entertainment outlet zeroed in on his selection, which has been buzzing on social media for days. As the curtain rose Wednesday at the Dolby Theatre and the spotlight hit Gillis, the comedian who was once ousted from Saturday Night Live due to past offensive podcast jokes found himself, quite literally, commanding the room that shapes American sports culture. ABC and ESPN+ aired the ceremony nationwide, while the red-carpet chatter was predictably as much about Gillis as it was the nominees like Shohei Ohtani, Simone Biles, and Saquon Barkley. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, the ESPYs broadcast itself forecast a heavy Philly flavor, thanks to Gillis’s Pennsylvania roots and his well-known obsession with Philly sports, and fans fully expected a dose of Eagles riffs and city pride throughout the night.

Gillis’s journey to this primetime gig is as hard-charging as any Super Bowl underdog story. As AOL explained, his dismissal from SNL in 2019 for racially insensitive jokes might have sidelined lesser comics, but instead it became a media touchstone every time his name cropped up. Fast-forward to 2025, and Gillis is headlining arenas on a 40-city comedy tour, starring in and co-creating Tires, a Netflix comedy, which just wrapped its second season in June. He also became one of the rare fired cast members to host SNL, not just once but twice—his February 2024 and March 2025 appearances were lightning rods, especially for his unapologetically raw monologues.

On the business side, tickets to his live shows are moving briskly, with the Paycom Center in Oklahoma City plugged on social channels for his July 18 show, just two days after the ESPYs. Both Instagram and Ticketmaster have been buzzing with reminders, and fans are already snapping up seats for upcoming events, including a major appearance opening for Zach Bryan at Notre Dame Stadium in September.

As for the rumor mill, whispers about Gillis’s next TV or Netflix projects persist, but so far nothing is confirmed about a third season of Tires or new specials. That hasn’t stopped his name from trending in comedy circles, podcasts, and even oddsmaker chatter predicting what topical references he’d drop during his ESPYs monologue.

One thing is clear: Shane Gillis is having a moment. After years dogged by controversy yet buoyed by relentless touring and a devoted podcast fanbase, he’s now hosting one of the most-watched sports events of the year and selling out stadiums. Whatever your take, his career is firmly in high gear and this ESPYs moment may just mark a new era for him.

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