Up for prestigious ESPN award, New York City FC winning off the field too
It wouldn’t surprise anyone in or around MLS if New York City FC won their first trophy this year. Perhaps more impressively, it turns out the team is winning off the field as well.
New York City FC was named a finalist for ESPN’s prestigious Sports Humanitarian Awards. It is the fourth time that the club is up for the honor, an especially impressive fete considering they began play in 2015.
Oh, and even more noteworthy for New York City FC, all four finalist nods for the Sports Humanitarian Awards have been in the last four years. The award platform “represents a sports club/team that demonstrates how teamwork can create a measurable impact on a community or cause.”
It is certainly an impressive honor for the club and well-deserved given their efforts in the community.
“This past year was unlike any other, and the sports world met the ongoing challenges head on, responding to the vast needs of our communities, while providing hope and inspiration to millions,” Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN Corporate Citizenship said in a press release issued by New York City FC. “ESPN and The Walt Disney Company are incredibly proud to recognize these changemakers through this inspiring evening of storytelling.”
The award ceremony will take place in New York City FC’s home turf, during a July 12 award ceremony at the Rooftop on Pier 17. The presentation will be hosted by actor Taye Diggs and a television special will air on July 24.
The winner of the award will receive $100,000 grant provided by ESPN to continue their efforts in the community. Even if not selected, a finalist will still be given $25,000 grant for their efforts.
The award comes at a time when the team might have their deepest and potentially most-talented squad during their (somewhat) brief tenure in MLS. New York City FC currently sit in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, a 3-2-2 record good for 11 points. They’ve made the postseason every year since 2016 and participated in the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time last season.
The full list of finalists for the awards was provided by ESPN:
Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award presented by Dove Men+Care finalists: Anthony Rizzo (Chicago Cubs), Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (Kansas City Chiefs), Layshia Clarendon (Minnesota Lynx), Titus O’Neil (WWE)
Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year finalists: Atlanta Dream (WNBA), Denver Broncos (NFL), New York City FC (MLS), Toronto Blue Jays (MLB)
Corporate Community Impact Award finalists: AT&T, JPMorgan Chase, Microsoft, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Follow Kristian Dyer of ‘MLS Multiplex’ on Twitter @KristianRDyer