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ESPN has announced the 2025 Sports Humanitarian Awards nominees, including the honorees of this year’s Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award. These three national and 20 regional recipients embody a passion for sports and a commitment to leadership and service across the United States. The national honorees will be recognized during the 2025 ESPYS in Los Angeles, California, which will be televised on July 16.
“At ESPN, we believe in the profound ability of sports uniting people, inspiring hope and driving real change,” said Kevin Martinez, vice president of ESPN Corporate Citizenship. “The Sports Humanitarian Awards reflect that belief by honoring the athletes, teams and organizations who are using their platforms not just to compete, but to serve and to lead with purpose. Now in its 11th year, this event continues to be a cornerstone of our commitment to social impact, and we’re proud to celebrate this year’s finalists and honorees as part of ESPYS Week.”
The Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award celebrates and honors young changemakers who are using the power of sport to make a lasting impact in their communities. National honorees will receive either a $10,000 college scholarship or a $10,000 charitable grant to an eligible nonprofit aligned with their mission. Regional honorees will receive a one-time $2,500 scholarship or charitable grant.
Meet the Honorees
Maegha Ramanathan – Dublin, California: Founder of Girls4Sports, Maegha is dedicated to breaking down gender barriers in athletics by expanding access to sport for underserved girls. After experiencing sexism as a competitive swimmer, she channeled her frustration into action to launch a youth-led nonprofit that now spans 20 states with 1,500 volunteers. Girls4Sports has empowered 39,600 girls through 250 sports programs and donated more than 10,350 pieces of equipment to 70 schools, hospitals and shelters. From free seasonal sports camps and advocacy workshops to launching Dublin High School’s first-ever girls’ flag football team, Maegha is dedicated to using sport to advocate for gender equality, leadership development and inclusivity.
Rishin Tandon – Issaquah, Washington: Youth climate advocate, Rishin founded YESS (Youth Eco Sports Scorecard) to address the intersection of environmental sustainability and sports equity. Concerned by the inequities he saw in youth sports, from practices canceled due to poor air quality to long gas-powered commutes, Rishin recognized that environmental challenges often hit under-resourced communities the hardest. With support from global climate experts and insights from 13 sports, YESS evaluates teams across five impact areas, including transportation and climate readiness. The grassroots tool has already led to real change: 46% of participating teams now use refillable water bottles regularly and half have adopted safety protocols for heat and air quality.
Ian Waite – Boca Raton, Florida: Ian founded Bigger Than Sports (BTS) after witnessing a former teammate struggle with life after graduation – stuck in a minimum-wage job without guidance or support. Determined to support student-athletes from underserved communities post-high school, he created a Gen Z–led nonprofit that turns athletic skills like discipline and teamwork into tools for lifelong success. Through a peer-to-peer mentorship model, BTS has helped 100% of its first-year mentees develop structured post-grad plans, with all reporting increased confidence and stronger support networks. Today, BTS operates in six high schools across two states, reaching over 300 families through community-centered tournaments and a summer camp that blends sports, mental health and leadership development.
In addition to the three national honorees, the following young people have been named regional recipients:
- Julia Banuelos, California
- Indigo Bruehwiler, West Virginia
- Daryl Fletcher, Maryland
- Ezra French, California
- Chris “CJ” Matthews, Georgia
- Sydney Mednik, Maryland
- Maggie Munson, Wisconsin
- Isabelle “Izzy” Murphy, Massachusetts
- Marlies Nauman, California
- Olivia Ohlson, Illinois
- Arden Pala, California
- Emily Pape, New York
- Josephine “Josie” Portell, Missouri
- Taylor Roberts, Tennessee
- Amy Schwem, Virginia
- Emerson “Emmy” Su, California
- Vick Tan, Minnesota
- Niam Taylor, California
- Leah Wang, Texas
- Brianna Zhang, Michigan
Beyond Sport manages the application process and facilitates the selection phase of the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award program.
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