Univision is hoping to flex its muscles not only with some more ratings trophies for its Univision Deportes pay TV network, but also by dishing out awards to some of the biggest names in sports.
The first-ever Premios Univision Deportes is set to take place at a Miami venue. The ceremony will be televised Dec. 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on both broadcast network UniMás and pay TV channel Univision Deportes.
In a statement, Univision said it believes Premios Univision Deportes will become “the ultimate sports award show for U.S. Hispanics honoring top athletes and teams from the leagues and sports that Hispanics care about most.” The two-hour affair will celebrate sports figures for their accomplishments on and off the field across such sports as soccer, basketball, baseball, football, boxing and auto racing.
“We are proud to acknowledge and celebrate the athletes and sports talent who make an impact in our communities,” Univision Deportes president Juan Carlos Rodriguez said. “Creating Premios Univision Deportes is another great step in delivering the type of engaging content that our viewers are most passionate about.”
Premios Univision Deportes will be a formal gala, complete with an hour-long red carpet pre-show to be televised exclusively by Univision Deportes. The awards show will also feature musical performances by leading Latin music acts.
Awards will be presented by sports notables and Univision talent to 25 individuals. Special categories will include a Lifetime Achievement Award, a Humanitarian Award and a Community Activist Award, which will be fan-selected for one exemplary fan who harnesses the power of sports to help their community. Univision did not elaborate on how the honorees were selected for awards.
The idea of a Latino-centric sports awards gala isn’t new. Fox Deportes created Premios Fox Deportes in 2003 and staged several throughout the decade. Meanwhile, ESPN Deportes airs unique programming around sibling ESPN’s annual ESPYs gala, held each July.
