“We don’t need you,” Serena said to Butker, after highlighting the year in women’s sports

Venus and Serena Williams — and Quinta Brunson — championed female athletes at the expense of Harrison Butker during the 2024 ESPY Awards.

During an exchange on stage in which the two tennis icons hilariously flanked the much shorter Abbott Elementary star, the trio shared their observations about the moment women’s sports is enjoying this year, and then set up a punchline in which they pointedly called out the Kansas City Chiefs kicker.

“There are a lot of firsts this year,” Brunson said. “The Texas Rangers won their first World Series, the Florida Panthers won their first Stanley Cup.”

Serena then joked: “And, according to sports media, this is the first [year] ever that women played basketball.”

The stars then went on to discuss the “huge year in women’s sports” by offering “tips on how to properly enjoy them” — including that “you can root for Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.”

“So go ahead and enjoy women’s sports like you would any other sport,” Venus summarized.

Serena interjected: “Except you, Harrison Butker, we don’t need you.”

Then, Brunson deadpanned: “At all, like, ever.”

The camera did not pan to Butker, who was in attendance and walked the red carpet but did not stop for the media before the ceremony.

Butker’s controversial comments made during a May commencement address — in which he took aim at the LGBTQ+ community, working women, abortion rights and more — drew widespread ire from celebrities and the NFL.

Before their own pushback on stage, Venus and Serena joked about their own rivalry.

“Imma let y’all in on this, ESPN actually asked me to host this year,” Venus told the audience. “I said ‘No,’ I’ll let my little sister go ahead and host.”

Serena then returned to the stage after another of her 16 outfit changes.

“What are you doing?” Serena joked. “That’s what I thought. This is my night, how many times do I have to say it?”

The ESPY Awards are airing live on ABC beginning 8 p.m. ET.