[2] The women's version of the award for 2008 and 2009 were presented to Mexican professional golfer Lorena Ochoa.

The 2018 and 2019 awards for the women's version were given to Australian soccer player Sam Kerr.

The eligibility criteria also changed; both awards are now presented to soccer players who play at club level outside the United States, without regard to citizenship.

The 2021 women's version of this award, and the first under the current eligibility criteria, was presented to Sam Mewis, an American who played her club soccer at Manchester City.

The ESPY Awards ceremony has been conducted in June or July since the 2002 ceremony; all awards conferred in that period reflect performance and achievement over the twelve months previous to presentation, which may span one or two seasons depending upon the recipient's particular sport.