Florida Panthers Lose Out on ESPY for Top Team. Again

The Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup champions for a second straight year, but when it comes to winning an ESPY, that apparently is not good enough.

On Wednesday night, the Panthers were nominated as ‘Best Team’ at the annual ESPN sports awards show.

Last year, the Panthers lost out to the South Carolina national championship women’s basketball team.

This year, the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles won the award.

In May, the Panthers did win the Team of the Year Award by the Sports Business Journal at the 18^th Annual Sports Business Awards in New York.

The Sports Business Awards celebrate excellence in the business of sports, while factoring in ‘all facets of the team’s operations.’

The Panthers, who were nominated for this award in 2023, beat out the Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), Indiana Fever (WNBA), Inter Miami CF (MLS), Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB), USA Gymnastics, and the Washington Commanders (NFL).

The Oklahoma City Thunder, Dodgers, and UConn women’s basketball were among the teams who were nominated for the 2025 ESPY.

Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals did win the top record-breaking moment ESPY.

FLORIDA PANTHERS / FHN

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• Perhaps the biggest FHN Mailbag in history. And that’s saying something.
• What the Florida Panthers’ Opening Night lineup should look like.
• Don’t forget to subscribe to the FHN YouTube channel to watch interviews with the Florida Panthers throughout the offseason. The latest from Sam Bennett, Bill Zito, Aaron Ekblad, and Jeff Petry up now.

NHL LINKS / NATIONAL HOCKEY NOW

• Spencer Knight is one of the NHL’s top goalies under 25.
• Must-see games this season.
• The aftermath of a couple Pittsburgh Penguins trades.
• Quinn Hughes to the New Jersey Devils? Sounds like a longshot.
• What the Montreal Canadiens can expect from Joe Veleno.
• The Chicago Blackhawks add another goalie.
• The Detroit Red Wings sign their top draft pick.
• Joe Thornton is hired by the San Jose Sharks.

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2024 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS 2025

FLORIDA PANTHERS

UP NEXT

• NHL Free Agency: Opened June 1
• Panthers Rookie Camp, Fort Lauderdale IcePlex: Early September
• Prospect Showcase @ Tampa Bay Lightning: Early September, Wesley Chapel
• Training Camp: Mid-September
• Exhibition Games: Starts Sept. 21 @ Nashville (doubleheader)
• Opening Night: Oct 7 vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 5 p.m.