The ESPY Awards almost made it through the show without any noticeable technical difficulties on Thursday.
At the end of the show, which took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, the ABC broadcast cut off during a tribute to Prince Harry, the recipient of this year’s Pat Tillman Award For Service — and a commercial for “Good Morning America” aired.
The 2024 ESPYS got off to a late start due to President Joe Biden’s press conference, and the show’s ending appeared to get cut short around 11:30 p.m. ET for the local news.
The video tribute, which was narrated by Will Arnett, began honoring Prince Harry for his work with The Invictus Games — his foundation, which offers a recovery pathway for international wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.
Viewers in the Eastern and Central time zones missed some of the show when a video package about the 2023 Hawaii wildfire aired and then cut to Prince Harry’s ceremony, according to Awful Announcing.
Harry’s tribute was cut off when the ABC show started rolling the credits while showing the winners accepting their awards.
After that, a commercial for “Good Morning America,” which featured the show’s anchor Robin Roberts, played.
It’s possible there was a technical glitch due to time zones or the network’s broadcast schedule.
It came after Harry, who served in the British Armed Forces for 10 years, faced backlash when he was named the recipient of the award honoring Tillman — a former NFL player for the Cardinals, who left the league to join the United States Army after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
Tillman was killed by friendly fire in Afghanistan.
Last month, Tillman’s mother, Mary, said she was not consulted about the decision to honor Price Harry, and that “there are recipients that are far more fitting.”
“I am shocked as to why they would select such a controversial and divisive individual to receive the award,” the matriarch told the Daily Mail.
The Pat Tillman foundation is not associated with his mother, according to Fox News Digital.
“ESPN, with the support of the Tillman Foundation, is honoring Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, specifically for the work of The Invictus Games Foundation as it celebrates its 10th year promoting healing through the power of sport for military service members and veterans around the world,” a spokesperson for ESPN said.
“While we understand not everyone will agree with all honorees selected for any award, The Invictus Games Foundation does incredible work and ESPN believes this is a cause worth celebrating.”