Maybe the sports year hasn’t been so kind to New York area fans, but don’t tell your kids (and let’s hold our breath for the Rangers still). Nickelodeon announced its first-ever Kids Choice Sports Awards on Wednesday, and the Big Apple seemed to do just fine with the nominations, with the winners being selected by kids.
Of course it doesn’t hurt that the show is being hosted and executive produced by Michael Strahan, but even without his golden touch on everything these days, area teams are pretty well represented. The Yankees’ Derek Jeter was one of five on the list for “Best Male Athlete” (in deference to his legendary career), while the Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony was one of the seven nominees for “Clutch Player of the Year.”
The Giants’ Victor Cruz got a nod for “Party Like A Superstar” (for his salsa dancing, as well as the NWSL’s Abby Wambach of the Western New York Flash (it’s still in the state, right?). The Rangers’ Henrik Lundqvist and the Knicks’ Amar’e Stoudemire both earned nominations in the “King of Swag” category (for athletes who do amazing things and look good while doing them), while the Nets’ Brooke Lopez, the Rangers’ Martin Staal and the Giants’ Eli Manning all earned at least half a nomination, since they are part of elite brothers in the “Superstar Siblings” category.
Kids’ Choice Sports 2014 will be telecast live on Thursday, July 17 (8 pm ET/PT) from UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. Not only are the top athletes in the world coming to Kids’ Choice Sports to play, but their biggest celebrity fans will come to compete alongside them. Beginning June 12, kids will be able to cast their votes in all 15 categories on Nick.com/sports.
Hopefully everyone will be on their best behavior, and maybe “King Henrik” will be able to bring a new piece of bling to the party, if the Broadway Blues keep going in the NHL Playoffs.