In celebration of Nickelodeon's 2nd Annual "Kids' Choice Sports" Awards, hosted by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, below is a selection of news, highlights and videos from the lead-up to the 2015 Nickelodeon "Kids' Choice Sports" awards ceremony!
Remember to follow along on social media using #KidsChoiceSports!
With special guests, performances, outrageous competitions and unique categories, "Kids' Choice Sports 2015" will be bursting with fun, unforgettable moments, epic slimings and sheer 'fan'-demonium that can only happen on Nickelodeon. 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.
Nickelodeon's second annual "Kids' Choice Sports" awards ceremony will open with a celebration of the World Cup champion U.S. women's soccer team, with Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo and Alex Morgan among the players set to appear.
This year's list of nominees welcomes a number of first-timers, rising stars and iconic sports fan-favorites competing for the win including Jose Abreu, Carmelo Anthony, Odell Beckham Jr., Drew Brees, Malcolm Butler, Kelly Clark, Sidney Crosby, Stephen Curry, Skylar Diggins, Novak Djokovic, Gabby Douglas, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Roger Federer, Rickie Fowler, Blake Griffin, Rob Gronkowski, Nyjah Huston, LeBron James, Joey Logano, Andrew Luck, Andrew McCutchen, Rory McIlroy, Lionel Messi, Maya Moore, Alex Morgan, DeMarco Murray, Marshawn Lynch, Rafael Nadal, Cam Newton, Alexander Ovechkin, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronda Rousey, Jordan Spieth, Mike Trout, Ashley Wagner, Abby Wambach, J.J. Watt, Andrew Wiggins, Serena Williams, Russell Wilson and many more.
Other athletes and guests taking part in the 90-minute show include Derek Jeter, Lindsey Vonn and Mo'Ne Davis, and Michael Strahan, plus the sports and comedy entertainment group Dude Perfect and the Dino Charge Power Rangers!
Sports superstar Derek Jeter will be honored with the Legend Award at this year's show in recognition of his unmatched talent, integrity and sportsmanship on and off the field. The Legend Award honors athletes who are the ultimate role models to kids across the globe, inspiring generations year after year. Nickelodeon has a surprise set for Derek as well!
High-octane dunkers and parkour free runners will part of the non-stop sports performances planned to fill the stage every minute of what will be a continuous sporting event. Rather than sprinkling the sets with musical performances, they'll be continuous athletic feats that will be performed to the sounds of current hit songs played by DJ Boogie. Wilson has also come up with a unique way to spray slime above and throughout the audience.
Nickelodeon's "Kids' Choice Sports 2015" will feature a transforming set. They'll be lots of movement. Nets are coming in. Goals are coming in. A racetrack is being revealed for a special sporting event called the KCS 500, a sort of a tricked-out race with athletes. The whole floor will get cleared to reveal a track on the floor, and they'll be little secrets built in everywhere for where the slime comes from! There will be sliming happening all round the arena floor and in the bleacher section as well!
Carmelo Anthony will attempt to set a world record! A Guinness World Record representative will be on hand to watch the NY Knicks basketball star high-five 130 kids within a matter of seconds! Can he achieve the Guinness World Record? Find out during Nickelodeon's "Kids' Choice Sports 2015"!
Russell Wilson will coach three kids onstage, as they each have the opportunity to win $50,000 by completing the Triple Shot Challenge! They will either throw a football to hit the target 30 yards away, nail a half-court shot or hit the crossbar of a soccer goal 22 yards away. The "Triple Shot Challenge" builds upon the excitement of last year's inaugural Kids' Choice Sports awards, which featured a half-court contest in which Ricardo Jacobo Jr. of Los Angeles, CA won $50K for sinking a half-court shot during the live telecast, receiving an emotional standing ovation from the audience!
Kids will also attempt to take down NFL player Marshawn Lynch! Wilson's Seahawks teammate will have to hold on for dear life as kids pull from the opposite end of the rope to try and pull him down into a pit in a epic game of Tug of War!
Plus, kids will be able to get in the game like never before, with a live vote that impacts what goes down in the show itself!
Russell Wilson will be slimed!
It is Wilson's first hosting gig, and he will be rewarded with his very first sliming experience by being doused in Nickelodeon's famous green slime, Nickelodeon's highest honor, too. However, the quarterback is being kept in the dark about the details.
As part of Nickelodeon's "Kids' Choice Sports 2015", sports fans across the USA and Canada cast their votes in 12 total categories at Nick.com/sports.
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports 2015 Facts:
For the first time ever, the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports awards will be airing internationally on Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand and on YTV in Canada!
Where To Watch
North America:
Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Sports 2015 will air live on Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, TeenNick and TV Land in the USA and YTV in Canada on Thursday 16th July 2015, from 8-9:30pm ET/PT (tape-delayed on the West Coast) from UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles! Nick.com and the Nick App will be the place to score a court-side seat for all of the Orange Carpet and live show action with a live photo stream and loads of video clips, straight from the main event!
Australia and New Zealand:
Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Sports 2015 will air live from LA, express from the US on Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand at 10:00am AEST/12:00pm NZ on Friday 17th July 2015; replay on Sunday 19th July 2015 from 9.50am!
The categories and nominees for Kids' Choice Sports 2015 are:
BEST MALE ATHLETE
They are, simply put, the best athletes in the world. Driving the offense or barreling through the toughest defense, they never cease to amaze us with their athleticism, their moves and their mastery of the game. In short, the nominees for these two categories represent the best male and female athletes currently competing in traditional sports.
Aaron Rodgers (NFL, Green Bay Packers)
LeBron James (NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers)
Lionel Messi (Spanish club FC Barcelona and the Argentina Men's National Team)
Mike Trout (MLB, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)
Rory McIlroy (PGA and PGA European)
Russell Wilson (NFL, Seattle Seahawks)
Stephen Curry (NBA, Golden State Warriors)
Clayton Kershaw (MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers)
BEST FEMALE ATHLETE
Abby Wambach (USWNT)
Alex Morgan (USWNT and NWSL, Portland Thorns FC)
Candace Parker (WNBA, Los Angeles Sparks)
Danica Patrick (NASCAR)
Maria Sharapova (WTA)
Maya Moore (WNBA, Minnesota Lynx)
Serena Williams (WTA)
Stacy Lewis (LPGA)
FAVORITE NEWCOMER
The excitement surrounding a new sports prospect can be incredible, especially when that prospect starts to deliver on the anticipation of greatness. The nominees in this category represent the first or second year pros who have lived up to the hype -- in other words, the newbie that is most likely to succeed.
Amy Purdy (Professional Snowboarder)
Andrew Wiggins (NBA, Minnesota Timberwolves)
Joey Logano (NASCAR)
Jordan Spieth (PGA)
Jose Abreu (MLB, Chicago White Sox)
Malcolm Butler (NFL, New England Patriots)
Mikaela Shiffrin (Professional Alpine Ski Racer)
Odell Beckham Jr. (NFL, New York Giants)
HANDS OF GOLD
Every season has its most talked about, spectacular or awe-inspiring catches and saves. The nominees in this category represent the MLB and NFL athletes who have made the most unbelievable, highlight reel worthy catches of the year from baseball or football, as well as the goalies of hockey and soccer who have made the most incredible saves of the year.
Andrew McCutchen (MLB, Pittsburgh Pirates)
Carey Price (NHL, Montreal Canadiens)
Dez Bryant (NFL, Dallas Cowboys)
Henrik Lundqvist (NHL, New York Rangers)
Mike Trout (MLB, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)
Odell Beckham Jr. (NFL, New York Giants)
Pekka Rinne (NHL, Nashville Predators)
Rob Gronkowski (NFL, New England Patriots)
CLUTCH PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Teammates rely on these athletes to make the plays when it counts the most. Their participation is clutch to the success of their teams, and the fans know it. The nominees in this category come from a variety of sports and alter the game just by being on the field.
Abby Wambach (USWNT)
Alexander Ovechkin (NHL, Washington Capitals)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Spanish club Real Madrid C.F. and the Portugal National Team)
DeMarco Murray (NFL, Dallas Cowboys)
Marshawn Lynch (NFL, Seattle Seahawks)
Maya Moore (WNBA, Minnesota Lynx)
Rob Gronkowski (NFL, New England Patriots)
Stephen Curry (NBA, Golden State Warriors)
SICKEST MOVES
Professional athletes make it look so easy that sometimes we forget the sheer agility required to play with the best of the best. Until you see the nominees of this category do their thing– they're the soccer players with the mind-blowing dribble, the hockey players who can do amazing things on skates or the football players who dazzle us with their fancy footwork.
Ashley Wagner (US Figure Skating)
Blake Griffin (NBA, Los Angeles Clippers)
Gabriel Medina (Professional Surfer)
Lionel Messi (Spanish club FC Barcelona and the Argentina Men's National Team)
Novak Djokovic (ATP)
Ronda Rousey (UFC)
Sidney Crosby (NHL, Pittsburgh Penguins)
Stephen Curry (NBA, Golden State Warriors)
DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME AWARD
They flip, fly and soar their way into the highlight reels of the X games and other action sports competitions on the regular-- and kids can't get enough. They're the death-defying athletes of slopestyle, the BMX racers or the skateboarders who risk life and limb every day to accomplish the impossible.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (NASCAR)
Danny Davis (Professional Snowboarder)
Kelly Clark (Professional Snowboarder)
Lindsey Vonn (Professional Alpine Ski Racer)
Nyjah Huston (Professional Skateboarder)
Travis Pastrana (Motorsports)
MOST ENTHUSIASTIC PLAYER
This award honors those athletes who, win or lose, always show heart and enthusiasm for the game! Filled with spirit, they let it all hang out – dancing in the end zone, pumping their fists and sliding across the field in exaltation. The nominees in this category represent the athletes who know how to celebrate!
Aaron Rodgers (NFL, Green Bay Packers)
Cam Newton (NFL, Carolina Panthers)
Dwight Howard (NBA, Houston Rockets)
Gabby Douglas (US Gymnastics)
J.J. Watt (NFL, Houston Texans)
Novak Djokovic (ATP)
Rob Gronkowski (NFL, New England Patriots)
Serena Williams (WTA)
KING OF SWAG
All professional athletes do incredible things, but there are a select few who also look incredible while they're doing it. The male and female nominees in this category are the best dressed, and most stylin' couple of athletes off the court. The King of Swag and the Queen of Swag are two separate awards that will be presented together.
Cam Newton (NFL, Carolina Panthers)
Carmelo Anthony (NBA, New York Knicks)
Chris Paul (NBA, Los Angeles Clippers)
Cristiano Ronaldo (Spanish club Real Madrid C.F. and the Portugal National Team)
LeBron James (NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers)
Rickie Fowler (PGA)
Roger Federer (ATP)
Russell Wilson (NFL, Seattle Seahawks)
QUEEN OF SWAG
Alex Morgan (USWNT and NWSL, Portland Thorns FC)
Lolo Jones (US Track and Field and Bobsled)
Maria Sharapova (WTA)
Ronda Rousey (UFC)
Serena Williams (WTA)
Skylar Diggins (WNBA, Tulsa Shock)
BEST CANNON
Some of the most incredible arms in sports belong to athletes from the worlds of baseball, football and tennis. This category honors the outfielders, pitchers, catchers, quarterbacks and tennis players with the strongest arms in the game.
Andrew Luck (NFL, Indianapolis Colts)
David Ortiz (MLB, Boston Red Sox)
Drew Brees (NFL, New Orleans Saints)
Mike Trout (MLB, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim)
Peyton Manning (NFL, Denver Broncos)
Rafael Nadal (ATP)
Russell Wilson (NFL, Seattle Seahawks)
Serena Williams (WTA)
BIGGEST POWERHOUSE
This award honors those players that are an undeniable force on the field and on the court. Like a freight train or a Mack Truck, these athletes have so much power in their play, they cannot be stopped. They are the sluggers who hit the farthest homeruns, the tennis players with the fastest serves, the power forwards that slam dunk with such force they can shatter a backboard, and the running backs that move with such power that it takes an entire team to stop them.
Blake Griffin (NBA, Los Angeles Clippers)
David Ortiz (MLB, Boston Red Sox)
J.J. Watt (NFL, Houston Texans)
LeBron James (NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers)
Marshawn Lynch (NFL, Seattle Seahawks)
Prince Fielder (MLB, Texas Rangers)
Ronda Rousey (UFC)
Serena Williams (WTA)
Instant Pre-play!
Tip-off, kickoff, first pitch... whatever you wanna call it, Kids' Choice Sports is about to begin! Check out these pics of the Orange Carpet coming together (photos from Nick.com)!
Tough Turf: Check out the Kids' Choice Sports Orange Carpet, er, Turf! Looking fresh and ready for all the action.
Dunking the Dunkers: From booths to basketballs, Nick's got all of your dunking needs covered!
Track Stars: At Kids' Choice Sports, you never know when a race might break out!
Hoop, There It Is: Sweet! The athletes at Kids' Choice Sports will have the chance to work on their jump shots. Anyone up for some hoops?
More Like 'Flybox': Sports are nothing without the fans! Nick's making sure theirs have the coolest seating - Skybox included.
Locker Lockdown: There's no smelly gym socks in these lockers. But there will be awesome athletes popping out to show their love for Nick Sports!
Basketballin': The nets are fresh, the paint is dry, and the basketballs are in order - let the games begin!
Hoop Dreams: The only thing better than jamming a slam dunk is taking home a Kids' Choice Sports Blimp!
Logo-A-Gogo: Just in case you forget what's happening, this sign says it all!
On Your Mark...: Get set...Kids' Choice Sports!
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports 2015 Videos:
Kids' Choice Sports | 5 Things Everyone Will Be Talking About | Nick
The Kids' Choice Sports show is here! Bella and the Bulldogs stars Brec Bassinger and Coy Stewart explain why you won’t want to miss out on this night filled with action and slime!
Kids' Choice Sports | Dude Perfect + Kids' Choice Sports = Epic Blooper Reel | Nick
Dude Perfect is getting ready, over and over again, for the Kids' Choice Sports Awards 2015! Laugh along with Dude Perfect in this awesome blooper reel.
Kids' Choice Sports | Get Hyped Up! | Nick
Next Thursday, Kids' Choice Sports is putting everything on the line. Be here to catch it all July 16th at 8pm on Nick!
Kids’ Choice Sports | Crossbar Challenge | Nick
Meet Roee. He’s one of the 3 kids with a shot to win $50,000 at the Kids’ Choice Sports awards. Will MLS stars Josh Saunders and Khiry Shelton help him take home the cash? Find out on July 16th at 8pm on Nick!
Kids' Choice Sports 2015 | Real Kids Compete: Who Will Win $50,000? | Nick
The 50K shot at this year's KCS is bigger than ever before, with three challenges worth $150,000! Three kids, three sports, and one chance to make a shot of a lifetime!
Derek Jeter is a Legend | Kids' Choice Sports 2015 | Nick
See what happens when Derek Jeter takes home the Legend Award at the 2015 Kids' Choice Sports awards!
Kids' Choice Sports | Behind The Scenes: ‘Bus It!’ Music Video | Nick
Go behind the scenes for the making of the 'Bus It!’ music video with Kids Choice Sports awards host Russell Wilson and the rest of your favorite athletes!
Kids’ Choice Sports | Huddle Up | Nick
Get ready for a night of sports, slime and more as your favorite athletes meet your favorite stars at the Kids Choice Sports awards hosted by Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson!
Kids Choice Sports | Category Sizzle | Nick
Best Catch? Most Enthusiastic? Most Insane? Check out some of the nominees for this year’s Kids Choice Sports awards airing July 16th at 8pm on Nick!
Kids Choice Sports | Sports-Struck Patrick Returns | Nick
You’re not the only one amazed by the athletes and stars that will be at the Kids Choice Sports awards. Patrick can’t wait either! The 2015 Kids Choice Awards air July 16th at 8pm on Nickelodeon!
Tweets
Athletes @lindseyvonn @dudeperfect @MichaelStrahan #DerekJeter & more are heading to #KidsChoiceSports on Thursday! pic.twitter.com/Edcir24Sh6
— Nickelodeon (@NickelodeonTV) July 15, 2015Follow "NickelodeonTV" on @Snapchat for a behind the scenes look at #KidsChoiceSports! pic.twitter.com/LeEjeJuYUB
— Nickelodeon (@NickelodeonTV) July 15, 2015We're getting ready for the big day & have a big salute to our #WorldCup champs at #KidsChoiceSports tomorrow! ⚽️ http://t.co/EaeKZc2ii6
— Nickelodeon (@NickelodeonTV) July 15, 2015Check out who's coming to #KidsChoiceSports tomorrow night! http://t.co/zjjq0wpXDY pic.twitter.com/tXRQf2bBQ9
— Nickelodeon (@NickelodeonTV) July 15, 2015Pssst word on the street is that there might even be some Dino Charge Rangers at #KidsChoiceSports tomorrow ;)
— Nickelodeon (@NickelodeonTV) July 15, 2015Sneak peek at who's coming to #KidsChoiceSports tomorrow! See anyone familiar? 😉 pic.twitter.com/PiST0k7Woq
— Nickelodeon (@NickelodeonTV) July 15, 2015Frozen cow poop as hockey pucks.. say what?! 💩 Text KCS to 91757 to test your wacky sports trivia! #KidsChoiceSports pic.twitter.com/oKcwJeoSyR
— Nickelodeon (@NickelodeonTV) July 15, 2015.@DangeRussWilson has his game face on for #KidsChoiceSports tomorrow! How about you? 😎🏈🏆 https://t.co/hslDBJR4LJ
— Nickelodeon (@NickelodeonTV) July 16, 2015Play Your Favorite Sports and Become A Nick All-Star! http://t.co/iR84vRUoVC pic.twitter.com/n8ef7xQusF
— Nickelodeon (@NickelodeonTV) July 16, 2015Take a sneak peek at #KidsChoiceSports before the show starts! http://t.co/hnrQrkbhXn pic.twitter.com/Xw98T3xz53
— Nickelodeon (@NickelodeonTV) July 16, 2015Which Nick team would you be on? http://t.co/4fZ1zpB6LS #KidsChoiceSports pic.twitter.com/Y79VWpXlFX
— Nickelodeon (@NickelodeonTV) July 16, 2015See you at #KidsChoiceSports tonight! https://t.co/Val8QdOZJA
— Nickelodeon (@NickelodeonTV) July 16, 2015Dude, one of the best trick shot teams @dudeperfect are gonna be at #KidsChoiceSports tonight! http://t.co/eqwzFjT6DY pic.twitter.com/GiVHmc59nE
— Nickelodeon (@NickelodeonTV) July 16, 2015Our #KidsChoiceSports insider is roaming around snapping pics for you! Text KCS to 91757 to chat with them 📲 pic.twitter.com/MvsQnWPUxu
— Nickelodeon (@NickelodeonTV) July 16, 2015Follow NickALive! on Twitter, Tumblr, Google+, via RSS, on Instagram, and/or Facebook for the latest Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports 2015 News and Highlights!
