In 2002 and 2003, the non-gender-specific Best Action Sports Athlete ESPY Award was presented, but the award was bifurcated by gender prior to the selection of the candidates for the 2005 ESPY Awards.
In 2002 and 2003, the non-gender-specific Best Action Sports Athlete ESPY Award was presented, with the American snowboarder Kelly Clark receiving the inaugural award. From 2004, the award was bifurcated by gender prior to the selection of the candidates for the 2005 ESPY Awards.