When it comes to winning the ESPY award for the best male or female athlete, a championship helps but the hardware is not necessarily required.

Jose Altuve of the World Series champion Houston Astros and Alex Ovechkin of the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals are both nominees for the award. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and Houston Rockets guard James Harden are also nominees.

Brady, a three-time ESPYS best male athlete nominee, lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl. Harden, who is a first-time nominee along with Altuve and Ovechkin, extended the champion Golden State Warriors to seven games before being eliminated in the Western Conference finals.

Olyimpic skier Mikaela Shiffrin will contend for the ESPY for best female athlete for the second time. Her competition includes three first nominees Sylvia Fowles of the WNBA champion Minnesota Lynx, Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim and soccer player Julie Ertz.

The ESPYS, which honors the past year top sports achievements and moments will be hosted by Danica Patrick on July 18.

The Warriors Kevin Durant, who won last year, again acknlowdge for best championship performance. He faces off against Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, World Series MVP George Springer and Villanova Wildcats guard Donte Divincenzo, who was the most outstanding player of the men’s final four.

Winners of the most categories are determined by online fan voting that ends before the show airs. So who are your choices?