An investigation found some employees had used fake names in entries to circumvent eligibility rules.

The network has said the ploy was “a misguided attempt” to recognise on-air talent that were not eligible for certain categories.

The awards won were reportedly re-engraved with the real names of the on-air personalities.

The sports network has apologised.

Details of the ploy were first uncovered in a report on Thursday by sports publication The Athletic.

The National Academy for Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), the organisation behind the Emmys, told The Athletic that it had “identified a number of fictitious credits submitted by ESPN to multiple Sports Emmys competitions”.

NATAS then notified ESPN’s senior management of this finding, who has since apologised and reprimanded those who were responsible.