The ESPY Awards were created in 1993 by ESPN to honor excellence in the sports industry. The annual awards show is hosted by a celebrity and the winners are chosen by sportswriters, fans, broadcasters and ESPN personalities.

The 2009 ESPY Awards were held on July 15, 2009, and aired on July 19. Samuel L. Jackson hosted the ceremony for the fourth time.EW: Samuel L. Jackson to Host ESPY Awards (April 7, 2009)

• Female Athlete: Nastia Liukin, gymnasticshttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Male Athlete: Michael Phelps, swimminghttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best Moment: US Olympic Swimming wins the Olympic relay in a "thrilling finish"http://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Team: Los Angeles Lakershttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best Coach/Manager: Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakershttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best Game: Pittsburgh Steelers vs Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIIIhttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best Championship Moment: Michael Phelps, Olympic swimminghttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best Play: Ben Roethlisberger to Santonio Holmes touchdown to win the Super Bowlhttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Breakthrough Athlete: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falconshttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best Male College Athlete: Tim Tebow, Florida Gators footballhttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best Female College Athlete: Maya Moore, UConn Huskies women's basketballhttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best Baseball Player: Albert Pulols, St. Louis Cardinalshttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best NBA Player: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliershttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best WNBA Player: Candace Parker, Los Angeles Sparkshttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best NFL Player: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinalshttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best NHL Player: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguinshttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best MLS Player: Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxyhttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best Fighter: Manny Pacquiao, boxinghttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best Golfer: Tiger Woodshttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/
• Best Driver: Jimmie Johnsonhttp://promo.espn.go.com/espn/specialsection/espys2009/#/bestof/

• Female Athlete: Candace ParkerESPN: ESPY Award Winners 2008
• Male Athlete: Tiger WoodsESPN: ESPY Award Winners 2008
• Team: Boston CelticsESPN: ESPY Award Winners 2008
• Breakthrough Athlete: Adrian PetersonESPN: ESPY Award Winners 2008
• Male College Athlete: Tim TebowESPN: ESPY Award Winners 2008
• Female College Athlete: Candace ParkerESPN: ESPY Award Winners 2008
• Baseball Player: Alex RodriguezESPN: ESPY Award Winners 2008
• NBA Player: Kobe BryantESPN: ESPY Award Winners 2008
• WNBA Player: Lauren JacksonESPN: ESPY Award Winners 2008
• NFL Player: Tom BradyESPN: ESPY Award Winners 2008
• NHL Player: Sidney CrosbyESPN: ESPY Award Winners 2008
• MLS Player: David BeckhamESPN: ESPY Award Winners 2008
• Golfer: Tiger WoodsESPN: ESPY Award Winners 2008
• Driver: Jimmie JohnsonESPN: ESPY Award Winners 2008