The ESPY Awards ceremony went off without a hitch on Thursday, with no notable technical issues.
At the end of the show, which took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, ABC’s broadcast was interrupted mid-tribute to Prince Harry, this year’s recipient of the Pat Tillman Lifetime Achievement Award, to air a “Good Morning America” commercial.
The 2024 ESPYS started late due to President Joe Biden’s press conference, and local news reports indicated the show was cut off around 11:30pm ET.
The video tribute, narrated by Will Arnett, began by celebrating Prince Harry’s work with his foundation, Invictus Games, which provides pathways to recovery for wounded, injured or ill military personnel around the world.
Viewers in the Eastern and Central time zones missed portions of the show as a video package about the 2023 Hawaii wildfires was aired. Then cut to Prince Harry’s ceremony.according to That’s a terrible announcement.
Harry’s eulogy was interrupted as the ABC show began rolling credits showing the winners accepting their awards.
Then came a commercial featuring “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts.
There may have also been technical glitches due to time zones or network broadcast schedules.
It comes after Prince Harry, who served in the British military for 10 years, faced backlash when he was named the recipient of an award honouring Tillman, the former Cardinals player who left the NFL to join the US military after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Tillman was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan.
Last month, Ms Tillman’s mother, Mary, said she had not been consulted about the decision to honour Prince Harry, adding that “there are much more deserving recipients”.
“I am shocked as to why they chose such a controversial and divisive person as the recipient,” the matriarch said. Daily Mail.
The Pat Tillman Foundation is not affiliated with his mother. According to Fox News Digital.
“ESPN, with support from the Tillman Foundation, specifically recognizes Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, for the work of the Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th anniversary of promoting healing for military personnel and veterans around the world through the power of sport,” an ESPN spokesperson said.
“We understand that not everyone will agree with the winners selected, but the Invictus Games Foundation is doing great work and ESPN believes it’s work worth celebrating.”
