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Former ESPN Star Calls Out Shane Gillis For Insensitive ESPYS Joke

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Jul 18, 2025 3:39 PM ET

ESPN knew what they were in for when they tabbed comedian Shane Gillis to deliver the ESPYs monologue. But as many probably expected, some of the usual suspects took issue with some of the remarks that Gillis made.

Among those who have complained about Gillis monologue is former ESPN star Dan Le Batard. On the latest episode of his show, Le Batard admonished Gillis for a remark made towards NBA superstar Karl-Anthony Towns that he felt was an insensitive joke directed at gay people.

"The part we can agree on, I hope, well maybe we can’t agree on it, ‘Karl-Anthony Towns, hey girl.’ What’s clever about that?" Le Batard asked. "How does that make gay people feel? How does that make Karl-Anthony Towns feel?"

When producer Mike Ryan Ruiz remarked that the point was to be audacious, Le Batard accused Gillis of being provacative just for the sake of it and not with any intentions of telling a joke.

“The point is the audacity,” co-host/producer Mike Ryan Ruiz responded.

“No, the point is just to stand on the edge,” Le Batard rebutted. “Be provocative just to provoke.”

Even as Ruiz continued to dismiss Le Batard's concerns, Le Batard remained incensed.

“I am talking about the thing that was in sports last night at an awards show dressed up as art on the slowest day of the year presented to us by Disney as a celebration in the middle of summer through comedy, arts and entertainment and celebration,” Le Batard said.

It's safe to say that Le Batard, ESPN's Sarah Spain and others simply weren't the target audience for a comedian like Gillis.

As a result, Le Batard has been widely criticized this morning for acting so sensitive about Gillis' jokes:

"I'm amazed he still has pearls left to clutch," one user remarked.

"If Le Batard and Sarah Spain didn’t like it then it was definitely great and makes me like it more," another joked.

"Whole thing was HILARIOUS. Get over yourselves whoever you are," a third wrote.

"Gillis was awesome! If a comedian offends people, you know he crushed it! Love it!"

It's safe to say that Le Batard won't be going to any of Gillis' shows on his own dime though.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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