LISTEN: ESPY Awards Score Despite Host Shane Gillis; Happy 70th Birthday to Disneyland
Fortunately, the honorees delivered enough inspiration and muscular prowess — see: rugby star Ilona Maher, who was honored as breakthrough athlete of the year — to offset the edgy jabs aimed at women in the monologue from ESPYs host Shane Gillis.
More from Variety
ESPY Awards Shower Kudos on Women as Host Shane Gillis Delivers Edgy Jokes About Female Athletes
How to Watch the 2025 ESPY Awards Online Without Cable
LISTEN: Netflix Q2 Earnings Preview; Unpacking Trump's War on Truth
A rundown of highlights from the ESPY Awards and a salute to Disneyland on its 70th birthday are the stories are included in today's installment of 'Daily Variety,' a new podcast that features conversations with Variety journalists about news, trends and personalities making waves in media and entertainment.
I ran into ESPN chief Jimmy Pitaro in the Dolby lobby after the ESPYs were over. We talked about the very big, somewhat complicated sales pitch that the Worldwide Leader is preparing to lob at consumers as it launches its standalone ESPN streaming app later this fall. The EPSYs telecast included a 60-second spot that presented the streaming app launch as a great leap forward for sports fans, much as the dawn of the original ESPN cable channel was back in 1979.
'There are two things that are happening this fall. The first is, we're going direct to consumer. The second is, we're enhancing the app,' Pitaro tells me. 'So in that spot, we're basically telling you that there is a new day for ESPN. Come this fall, you'll be able to access all of our content, all of ESPN, all in one place, and that is the ESPN app. And so whether you're on a smart television or you're on your phone or your tablet, we want you to fire up the ESPN app to get the best sports experience.'
From the ESPYs, we turn to a look at Disneyland on the occasion of its 70th birthday. My Variety colleagues Jazz Tangcay, senior artisans editor, and Carole Horst, deputy editor for features, assembled a package of stories that look at the art and science behind the park. Specifically, they went to Walt Disney Imagineering in Glendale to get a hands-on look at how their cutting-edge work is expressed at Disneyland and other Disney parks.
The sheer scope of the creative and technical activity overseen by Imagineers is impressive, Horst says.
'When we had our tour, we saw all the aspects of Imagineering. We saw how they developed the Spider-Man show that's on the Avengers campus with the robot that flies through the air, to the sculpture room where they create models and sculptures. This is something that I think is unique to Disney,' Horst says.
Tangcay says she was struck by how spirit of Walt Disney himself still guides the commitment to R&D and investment in cutting-edge technology.
'We really got an insight into their thinking and it's very much in tune with Walt Disney — just staying in touch with the inner child,' Tangcay says. 'It's those tiny details that you never really pay attention to. Even the smell — they talk about the water smell that you have on Pirates of the Caribbean and It's a Small World.'
Daily Variety
(Pictured: Rugby star Ilona Maher at the ESPY Awards)
Best of Variety
New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts?
Final Emmy Predictions: Talk Series and Scripted Variety - New Blood Looks to Tackle Late Night Staples
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


CNET
4 hours ago
- CNET
F1: How to Watch and Stream the 2025 Belgian Grand Prix
With just eight points separating the McLaren duo at the top of the Drivers Championship, this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix looks set to provide a pivotal moment in the battle for the 2025 F1 title. Below, we'll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the race as it happens, wherever you are in the world, and how to use a VPN if it's not available where you are. Back-to-back wins for Lando Norris at the Red Bull Ring and at Silverstone have whittled down Oscar Piastri's lead at the top of the Drivers' Championship to single digits, with the momentum now firmly resting with Norris coming into this weekend's action at Belgium's Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps racetrack. Famously regarded by the late F1 legend Ayrton Senna as his favorite circuit, Spa runs 7km long, making it the longest track on the calendar. With its 19 corners and dramatic elevation changes, it's one of the most thrilling tracks for spectators and drivers alike. The Belgian GP takes place at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Stavelot on Sunday, July 27, at 3 p.m. CEST local time in Belgium. Starting time in the US and Canada is 9 a.m. ET (6 a.m. PT). In the UK it's 2 p.m. BST. Australian viewers will be looking at an 11 p.m. AEST start. The entire race weekend, including practice sessions and qualifying, will be shown in the US on ESPN's family of TV and streaming networks. Folks who want to follow the whole race weekend will need access to the ABC and ESPN news channels on cable or live TV streaming services, or the ESPN Plus streaming service. We've broken down everything you need to know, including how to use a VPN to stream the race, and all the other F1 races this season. Lewis Hamilton won last season's Belgian Grand Prix after his then-Mercedes teammate George Russell was disqualified for having an underweight car. Getty Images Livestream the Belgian GP in the US Every Formula One race during the 2025 season will be televised on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC. All practice and qualifying sessions and all F1 Sprint events will also be broadcast. This race will be broadcast on ESPN. Selected races will also stream on ESPN Plus, featuring two alternate streams for all races (Driver Tracker and mixed onboard cameras). James Martin/CNET ESPN Plus Carries F1 races in the US ESPN's standalone streaming service is great for casual fans of F1 and is a must-have accessory for fanatics. It costs $12 a month or $120 a year. If you're an F1 fan who's also looking to get your Disney fix, the Disney trio bundle (Hulu, Disney Plus and ESPN Plus) might end up being an even better buy. It's great for fans who love catching the parts of the race weekend that typically air on ESPN2 or ESPNews, and also want the latest Marvel movies or Star Wars shows. If you're a diehard fan of motorsports and Formula Series racing, ESPN Plus might not be for you, given that it rarely covers F2, F3 or Porsche Supercar racing. That's why ESPN Plus is ideal for casual fans who enjoy catching a race every once in a while or fans who don't want or need all of the extra bells and whistles of F1 TV but want to beef up their coverage options. Read our full review of ESPN Plus. See at ESPN Plus How to watch the Belgian GP online from anywhere with a VPN If you're traveling abroad and want to keep up with the Formula One season while away from home, a VPN can help enhance your privacy and security when streaming. It encrypts your traffic and prevents your internet service provider from throttling your speeds, and can also be helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks while traveling, adding an extra layer of protection for your devices and logins. VPNs are legal in many countries, including the US and Canada, and can be used for legitimate purposes such as improving online privacy and security. However, some streaming services may have policies restricting VPN usage to access region-specific content. If you're considering a VPN for streaming, check the platform's terms of service to ensure compliance. If you choose to use a VPN, follow the provider's installation instructions, ensuring you're connected securely and in compliance with applicable laws and service agreements. Some streaming platforms may block access when a VPN is detected, so verifying if your streaming subscription allows VPN usage is crucial. James Martin/CNET ExpressVPN Best VPN for streaming Price $13 per month, $100 for the first 15 months (then $117 per year) or $140 for the first 28 months (then $150 per year) Latest Tests No DNS leaks detected, 18% speed loss in 2025 tests Network 3,000 plus servers in 105 countries Jurisdiction British Virgin Islands ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It's normally $13 a month, but if you sign up for an annual subscription for $100, you'll get three months free and save 49%. That's the equivalent of $6.67 a month. Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. 61% off with 2yr plan (+4 free months) See at Expressvpn How to livestream the Belgian GP in the UK for free F1 is shown in the UK on Sky Sports and Channel 4. Sky Sports airs the races, practice rounds and qualifying, while free-to-air Channel 4 offers highlights that broadcast after the day's action. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the race via its app, but cord-cutters can watch Sky TV with unlimited Sky Sports on a Now TV membership. Sky Sports Sky Sports and Now TV F1 streaming in the UK Sky subsidiary Now offers streaming access to Sky Sports channels with a Now Sports membership. You can get a day of access for £15, or sign up to a monthly plan from £35 per month right now. See at Sky Livestream the Belgian GP in Canada F1 fans can watch every GP this season, including the Belgian GP, on TSN and its streaming service, TSN Plus. Existing TSN cable subscribers can also watch at no extra charge using the details of their TV provider. TSN TSN Plus Carries F1 in Canada TSN Plus is a direct-streaming service that costs CA$8 a month and also offers coverage of PGA Tour Live golf, NFL games, F1, NASCAR and the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments. See at TSN Livestream the Belgian GP in Australia Grand Prix races can be watched down under on Fox Sports via Foxtel. If you're not a Fox subscriber, your best option is to sign up for the streaming service Kayo Sports. Kayo Sports Kayo Sports Watch F1 in Australia for AU$25 A Kayo Sports subscription starts at AU$25 a month and lets you stream on one screen, while its Premium tier costs AU$35 a month for simultaneous viewing on up to three devices. The service gives you access to a wide range of sports, including F1, NRL, NFL, NHL and MLB, and there are no lock-in contracts. Better still, if you're a new customer, you can take advantage of a one-week Kayo Sports free trial. See at Kayo Sports When, where and what time are the races? Races are usually held on Sundays and are typically spaced two weeks apart. Here's the entire schedule. 2025 F1 schedule Date Grand Prix Circuit Start time (ET) March 16 Australian Grand Prix Albert Park Circuit 12 a.m. March 23 Chinese Grand Prix Shanghai International Circuit 3 a.m. April 6 Japanese Grand Prix Suzuka International Racing Course 1 a.m. April 13 Bahrain Grand Prix Bahrain International Circuit 11 a.m. April 20 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Jeddah Corniche Circuit 1 p.m. May 4 Miami Grand Prix Miami International Autodrome 4 p.m. May 18 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Imola Circuit 9 a.m. May 25 Monaco Grand Prix Circuit de Monaco 9 a.m. June 1 Spanish Grand Prix Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya 9 a.m. June 15 Canadian Grand Prix Circuit Gilles Villeneuve 2 p.m. June 29 Austrian Grand Prix Red Bull Ring 9 a.m. July 6 British Grand Prix Silverstone Circuit 10 a.m. July 27 Belgian Grand Prix Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps 9 a.m. Aug. 3 Hungarian Grand Prix Hungaroring 9 a.m. Aug. 31 Dutch Grand Prix Circuit Zandvoort 9 a.m. Sept. 7 Italian Grand Prix Monza Circuit 9 a.m. Sept. 21 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Baku City Circuit 7 a.m. Oct. 5 Singapore Grand Prix Marina Bay Street Circuit 8 a.m. Oct. 19 United States Grand Prix Circuit of the Americas 3 p.m. Oct. 26 Mexico City Grand Prix Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez 4 p.m. Nov. 9 São Paulo Grand Prix Interlagos Circuit 12 p.m. Nov. 22 Las Vegas Grand Prix Las Vegas Strip Circuit 11 p.m. Nov. 30 Qatar Grand Prix Lusail International Circuit 11 a.m. Dec. 7 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Yas Marina Circuit 8 a.m. Quick tips for streaming the Belgian GP using a VPN
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Browns coach Kevin Stefanski drops flag football truth bomb
The post Browns coach Kevin Stefanski drops flag football truth bomb appeared first on ClutchPoints. Flag football has surged in popularity since it was confirmed to make its debut in the 2028 Summer Olympics. Since then, opinions on the sport have varied, but Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski firmly supports its growth. With the Ohio High School Athletic Association approving girls' flag football as a varsity sport for the 2025-2026 academic year, Stefanski voiced his approval for the move. The Browns played a big role in the sanctioning of the sport, a process that began in 2022. '[Flag football is] fast, it's really fun, it's safe [and] you get to see their athleticism put on display,' Stefanski said, via ESPN. 'I think it's going to be growing even more because it's so fun to play. This is a great first step. It's more than deserving for these girls to play for their high schools and have it sanctioned as a varsity sport. It's just going to keep growing, especially with the Olympics around the corner.' Stefanski's comments came at the 2025 NFL Flag Championships at Hall of Fame Village in Canton, Ohio. The annual three-day event crowns the national champions in the NFL-run youth leagues and is streamed live on ESPN, NFL Network and Disney Channel. The NFL Flag Championships essentially wrap up Stefanski's summer vacation. The Browns report to training camp beginning on July 25, where their four-man quarterback competition resumes. Cleveland has yet to reveal anything from its compelling offseason battle, with virtually every report suggesting a different claim. Browns, Kevin Stefanski's role in growing flag football popularity As committed as the Browns are to their own organization, they have been just as active in the Ohio community. Following multiple proposals, funding offers and trial leagues, Cleveland finally succeeded in getting flag football Over the last 10 years, football has received progressive criticism for its head injury risk, particularly to young athletes. The game is too popular to ever go away, making flag football a potentially lucrative avenue. With the 2028 Summer Olympics still a few years away, allowing high school athletes to compete in flag football on a competitive level provides more athletes with a potential path. The NFL remains undecided on allowing its players to participate in the Olympics, potentially creating even more opportunities for others. Related: Former Browns QB Johnny Manziel drops NSFW admission on hatred for Cleveland
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Svensson's sizzling 60 sets PGA Tour tournament record
Adam Svensson has made a 48-foot eagle putt on the closing hole to complete an 11-under-par 60 to claim a two-shot lead after one round of the PGA Tour's 3M Open. Svensson also made nine birdies and did not drop a shot in the lowest round in the tournament's seven-year history to lead over American Sam Stevens and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen. As Australia's challenge failed to materialise, the Canadian tied the TPC Twin Cities course record set by Paul Goydos at the 2017 3M Championship on the PGA Tour Champions. Chris Gotterup, who finished third at last week's British Open and won the Scottish Open two weeks ago, is three shots back along with Chad Ramey and Matti Schmid. Zac Blair, Chris Kirk, Jake Knapp and Brendan Valdes are another shot back, with Rickie Fowler and Emiliano Grillo among those at six under and four strokes off the pace. An eagle at the last to break the course record‼️Adam Svensson shoots 60 to take the clubhouse lead @3MOpen.📺 @PGATOURLIVE on ESPN+ — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 24, 2025 Svensson's lone tour win is the 2022 RSM Classic. The 31-year-old has one top-25 finish in 21 starts this season and has missed 11 cuts. "I had a great range session today. Just really putted amazing, I made a bunch of breakers. It was probably my best putting round I ever had," he said after needing just 25 putts, including a nearly 40-foot birdie on the 11th hole and a 34-footer on the fourth. His career-best 60 is the second-lowest score on the PGA Tour this season. Jake Knapp shot 59 at the Cognizant Classic in February. Stevens could have shot 59 with an eagle on the par-5 18th, but instead he put his second shot from 246 yards into the water in front of the green, leading to his lone bogey and a 62 that was still his lowest round on tour. "I have a pretty big gap between my three iron and my three wood, and I hit a terrible shot," he said. "I thought if I hit a three wood, it was just going to fly to the back of the green, and I kind of had to hit a three iron perfect to even cover the water. But I figured that was my best chance to shoot 59, so I gave it a go." Fowler and Grillo are among a group of 18 players who rank between 60th and 80th in the FedEx Cup standings, needing a strong performance to help secure spots in the 70-man field for the first playoff event in two weeks. Fowler entered the week at No. 63 and Grillo is No. 71. "At the end of the day, good golf solves a lot of things," Fowler said. Adam Scott, once again, is the leading Australian, some nine shots off the pace in a tie for 77th after opening with a two-under 69. Karl Vilips (70), Cam Davis (71), Aaron Baddeley (73) and Harrison Endycott (73) all need strong second rounds to make the halfway cut. With AAP