A spokesperson for ESPN said that insider allegations that the network awarded newly-debuted Caitlyn Jenner the Arthur Ashe Courage Award in exchange for formerly Bruce Jenner's exclusive interview with ESPN's sister network ABC.  

Fans have been hotly debating whether Jenner deserves the Courage Award to begin with, many arguing for other more deserving recipients, particularly Lauren Hill, the 19-year-old college basketball player who died of cancer in April after having raised more than $1.5 million for cancer reserach.

Meanwhile, rumors have circulated that the award was really granted in a quid pro quo arrangement for the chance for ABC's Diane Sawyer to land one arguably the biggest interview of the year. Page Six reports: 

Sawyer landed an exclusive interview with Jenner in April, and the talk was heavily promoted on ESPN, which is owned by Disney/ABC.

One TV insider sniffed, "Jenner was given the award after the Sawyer interview. After all, ESPN is part of the ABC family." But another insider insisted Sawyer landed the exclusive through hard work: "No deal was done. Vetting for the ESPY Awards didn’t start until long after the Sawyer interview was concluded, about six weeks later."

Both ESPN and ABC are shooting down the conspiracy theory.

"That rumor is false," said an ESPN spokesperson. "The Arthur Ashe Award and Diane Sawyer interview were never connected."

"There is absolutely no connection between the interview and the award," agreed one ABC representative. 

As for cancer victim Lauren Hill, many are still passionately presenting her case. Page Six provides a few posts for #LaurenHillESPY:

Ryan Sweet tweeted, "If anyone deserves the Arthur Ashe Courage Award, it’s this courageous and REAL woman . . . #LaurenHillESPY." And@KristinH1998 wrote, "Elective surgery isn’t courage or bravery. Fighting brain cancer with grace and dignity at 19 is. Lauren is most deserving."