Twenty years of kids meeting their sports heroes: Inside ESPN’s ‘My Wish’ series

ESPN’s “My Wish” is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026, and one consistent thread throughout the past two decades has been Denny Wolfe.

From Production Assistant to Sr. Managing Producer for ESPN Features, Wolfe has had a hand in SportsCenter’s collaborative series with Make-a-Wish since its inception in 2006.

Throughout his tenure, Wolfe’s team has worked with legends like Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter and Shaquille O’Neal to bring the magic of sports to kids. Front Row spoke with Wolfe to learn about the importance of “My Wish” and the impact it has had over the years.

What has been your favorite wish to see fulfilled over the last 20 years?
If I had to pick one that’s stuck with me, it was Jimmy Butler. Jimmy invited our Wish Kid Ethan Whitney to his home in Los Angeles and had a day full of activities, which included a ton of one-on-one time. A superstar opening his home like that is extraordinary.

How has working on “My Wish” shaped you personally and professionally?
I was aware of the work that Make-A-Wish did but never really engaged in it. After I did a few wishes, I knew I needed to be more active in supporting these endeavors. I freely tell people that working on “My Wish” is the most rewarding thing I do with my job, because it’s a reminder that there’s a lot of good in this world that needs to be seen, and we need that more than ever. 

Why is important for ESPN to invest in stories like “My Wish” alongside its daily sports coverage?
“My Wish” shares so much of the fabric of Disney’s storytelling. You have superstar athletes, Wish Kids who have faced so many health challenges, and the magic that comes from meeting your heroes. Everyone can benefit when we experience the gamut of emotions in a day, like Jim Valvano once talked about during his famous ESPYS speech. 

EDITOR’S NOTE: There are more details to come on this year’s “My Wish” season. Jon McLeod and Spencer T. Jackson produced the video.