LOS ANGELES Nickelodeon today announced that Seattle Seahawks' two-time Super Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson will serve as host for *Kids' Choice Sports 2015*, which returns for its second year live from UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles on Thursday, July 16 (8-9:30 p.m. ET/PT, tape delayed for West Coast). The superstar quarterback takes the hosting baton from first-year master of ceremonies Michael Strahan, who will continue to serve as executive producer, as the best athletes and top celebrities from around the world come together in a one-of-a-kind celebration of kids' love of sports.
With special guests, performances, outrageous competitions and unique categories to be announced in the coming weeks, *Kids' Choice Sports 2015 *will be bursting with fun, unforgettable moments, epic slimings and sheer Œfan'-demonium that can only happen on Nickelodeon. For the second straight year, kids from around the country will show their support for their favorite athletes, teams and sports moments and decide who will take home a cherished, one-of-a-kind Nickelodeon orange mohawked blimp trophy.
"I am thrilled that Nickelodeon has asked me to host Kids' Choice Sports. What an honor to be the king of slime for one crazy night! I had so much fun at the show last summer that I can't wait to get back. What kid doesn't want to get slimed? Count me in on that. I'm just a big kid at heart, so let the fun begin. I promise you, we're going to have great fun," said Russell Wilson.
Last year's inaugural Kids' Choice Sports certainly set the bar high. Worldwide superstar David Beckham was presented with the first Kids' Choice Sports' Legend Award, and celebrated by being showered in golden slime with his kids; Marshawn Lynch went into "Beast Mode," running through a gauntlet and diving into a pool of slime; superstars Dwyane Wade, Tim Howard, Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Gabby Douglas, Victor Cruz, Carmelo Anthony, each took home a KCS trophy; and in an epic halftime show, Florida Georgia Line performed, and then the Pauley Pavilion roof nearly blew off when15-year-old Ricardo Jacobo Jr. from Los Angeles sank a half-court shot live, winning a $50,000 grand prize.
Russell Wilson is expanding his repertoire as he takes on hosting duties for Kids' Choice Sports, though he is already making history: he has won more games in his first three seasons than any QB in the history of the league and he is first quarterback to start two Super Bowls in his first three seasons. Wilson also became the third youngest quarterback in NFL history to win the Super Bowl. Named to the NFC Pro Bowl, Pepsi Max NFL Rookie of the Year, and Sports Illustrated Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012, Wilson tied Peyton Manning's 1998 record for most touchdown passes by a rookie (26) and became the first rookie in NFL history to lead his team to an undefeated home record. In 2013, Wilson led the Seahawks to its first ever Super Bowl victory and led the Seahawks to their second consecutive Super Bowl appearance in 2014.
Kids' Choice Sports 2015 Presenting Sponsors include Verizon. Associate Sponsors include Nationwide and Popsicle®.
*Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Sports 2015 *is produced by Done and Dusted in association with Nickelodeon Productions. Jay Schmalholz and Shelly Sumpter Gillyard are executive producers. Constance Schwartz and Michael Strahan of SMAC Entertainment will serve as executive producers, alongside Ian Stewart and Hamish Hamilton of Done and Dusted with Hamilton also serving as director of the show.
Nickelodeon, now in its 36th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 consecutive years. For more information or artwork, visit http://www.nickpress.com. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B).
