The global presenting sponsor of United sports and official broadcaster for the USA Special Olympics and World Games, ESPN’s longstanding partnership with Special Olympics continues to strengthen athlete stories worldwide. Most recently, ESPN was the global media partner for the Special Olympics World Games and covered the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025 for viewers around the world, sharing the magic, humanity and courage of more than 1,500 athletes Uniform partners (athletes without intellectual disabilities). In addition, ESPN recently announced the launch of Take Back Sports, a new youth sports initiative focused on increasing access to games for young athletes. Introduced at the Aspen Institute’s Project Play Summit, the initiative aims to address the critical challenges facing youth sports participation and ensure that sports remain accessible, enjoyable and rewarding for all children. Special Olympics is a proud member of Take Back Sports.
This episode of Inclusion Revolution Radio features ESPN Vice President of Corporate Citizenship Kevin Martinezwhose leadership has been instrumental in capturing these stories in Turin and beyond. In his role, Martinez oversees all aspects of the company’s social responsibility and social impact, while also serving as producer of the ESPYS and executive producer of the Sports Humanitarian Awards. No stranger to the sidelines, Martinez’s experience in sports and leadership is making an impact on Special Olympics athletes around the world.
As a supporting partner of Special Olympics united with refugeeshelps ESPN implement inclusive sports programs for Special Olympics athletes and refugee youth. Special Olympics Unified with Refugees Advisor joins the conversation Gerald Mballe speaks to the core of this partnership. His journey as a legally resettled refugee led him to the Special Olympics in 2015, and he has continued to advocate for inclusive sports opportunities in refugee communities.
The collaboration between Special Olympics and ESPN is building a legacy, competition after competition, story after story. For this generation and generations to come, this legacy will reinforce the belief that people can come together through the power of sport.
IRR: Kevin Martinez and Gerald Mballe
In this episode, ESPN Vice President of Corporate Citizenship Kevin Martinez and Special Olympics Unified join Refugees Advisor Gerald Mballe to discuss ESPN’s global partnership with Special Olympics, its impact on athlete stories, inclusive sports programming for refugee youth, and new initiatives like Take Back Sports to expand access to play.Download the transcriptRead the article
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