<P> Since 1985, the Home Run Derby, a contest among home run hitters, has been held on the day before the All - Star Game . </P> <P> Since 1999, the All - Star Futures Game has been held during All - Star Week . The two teams, one consisting of young players from the United States and the other consisting of young players from all other nations, are usually chosen based on prospect status in the minor leagues . </P> <P> Since 2001, the All - Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game pits teams with a mixture of former stars from the host team's past, as well as celebrities from music, film, and television . This game is held during the day prior to the Home Run Derby . (However, it is tape - delayed and broadcast after the Derby .) </P> <P> Since 2002, the ESPY Awards ceremony has been conducted on the Wednesday in July following the game . Because none of the major North American professional leagues have games scheduled for that day--the National Basketball Association, National Football League, and National Hockey League are not in - season, MLB does not have games that day, and likewise college sports are on summer vacation--major sports figures are available to attend . The show used to air on the subsequent Sunday five days later, with the results announced on ESPN.com and thereafter across media outlets immediately after taping was complete . Since 2010, the ESPY Awards are shown live (the first time was 2003); this helps the network fill airtime that would go unfilled because of the lack of any major league or high - level college sporting events . </P>

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