Arthur Ashe Courage Award

TV ratings for Wednesday are in, and the numbers show that ESPN’s ESPY Awards broadcast fell for the second year in a row.

The bizarre Bruce-to-Caitlyn Jenner saga that started as a distraction in the aftermath of Jenner’s involvement in a fatal car crash (see photo and story from TMZ here) only resulted in Jenner’s controversial ESPY Award because of a deal made behind the scenes among two companies owned by Disney, according to RadarOnLine.com.

On Wednesday, the recently transitioned Caitlyn Jenner accepted the “Arthur Ashe Courage Award” during ESPN’s ESPYs award show, broadcasted on ABC.  He was introduced by United States Women’s National Soccer Team captain Abby Wambach and gave a speech that said was meant to inspire

RadarOnline.com reported Wednesday that Jenner’s representatives approached ESPN suggesting the network give her the Ashe award in exchange for plugs on her upcoming E! docuseries. ESPN and ABC are owned by Disney.

NBC sportscaster Bob Costas reacted on NBC’s “The Dan Patrick Show” to Olympian gold medalist Bruce Jenner receiving the 2015 Arthur Ashe Courage Award from ESPN at the ESPYs on July 15.

Creative Artists Agency has signed Bruce Jenner to its public speakers department, where they will work with the former Olympian to create a platform to bring awareness to the transgender community.

During Monday’s “The Doug Gottlieb Show” on CBS Sports, host Doug Gottlieb reacted to the report that former Olympic gold medalist and now-named “Caitlyn” Jenner is being awarded the 2015 Arthur Ashe Courage Award at this year’s ESPY awards, presented by ESPN.

At ESPN’s ESPY Awards, the former world’s greatest male athlete will receive the acclaimed Arthur Ashe Award for coming out as a transgender.