ESPN has explained its controversial decision to give one of the most prestigious awards in sports to Caitlyn Jenner, the long-retired Olympic athlete who came out as a transgender woman earlier this year.
The announcement that Jenner would receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at this year’s ESPYs Awards was met with some criticism, with sportscaster Bob Costa calling it a “crass exploitation play” designed to boost ratings.
But two ESPN executives, ESPYs co-executive producer Maura Mandt and ESPN senior vice president Connor Schell, publicly defended the honor in an interview with Sports Illustrated.
“Bruce Jenner could have easily gone off into the sunset as this American hero and never have dealt with this publicly,” Mandt said of the decision. “That is what the Arthur Ashe Courage Award is about, somebody from the athletic community who has done something that transcends sport.”
Read the full story at Sports Illustrated.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- How the Electoral College Actually Works
- Your Vote Is Safe
- Mel Robbins Will Make You Do It
- Why Vinegar Is So Good for You
- The Surprising Health Benefits of Pain
- You Don’t Have to Dread the End of Daylight Saving
- The 20 Best Halloween TV Episodes of All Time
- Meet TIME's Newest Class of Next Generation Leaders
Contact us at letters@time.com