‘Slime Cup’ Celebrity Golf Tournament Headed to Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon is experimenting with new ways to include pro sports into its shows for children.
The ViacomCBS site will tackle golf next after their two NFL Wild Card games focused at kids in the previous two football seasons. “Nickelodeon Slime Cup,” is a new one-hour show from Nickelodeon. The competition pits four teams of three against each other on a “Nick-ified” golf course. Features of the track include unique tee boxes, physical difficulties, and far-flung fairways. A professional golfer, a celebrity, and a Nickelodeon star will make up each squad.
“We are inventing our own golf match,” says Brian Robbins, who president and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon. “It’s definitely different.”
Who’s In?
Top-ranked professional golfers Jon Rahm, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas, and Lexi Thompson are among the golfers lined up. NFL players Saquon Barkley and Justin Herbert, Terry Crews are also on board. Gabrielle Nevaeh Green of Nickelodeon will provide commentary for “Slime Cup,” as she has done for the network’s Wild Card game-casts. At a later time, other participants may be named.
The teams will go head to head in a two-round tournament with holes themed after Nickelodeon series. The ultimate goal will be to make it to “The Unfairway.” This unpredictable final round will be held within the Rose Bowl stadium. The champions receive a slime-green blazer and, of course, the honor of having Nickelodeon’s distinctive goo splattered all over them.
It Will Be Entertaining
“This is relay about making a fun, entertaining golf show,” Robbins explains. “I think you know a lot of dads play golf, and getting to watch this with your kids really will be fun.”
Many TV networks and leagues experiment with new methods to harness the power of sports. They also do so without having to pay the astronomical prices involved in negotiations. “The Match,” by WarnerMedia has created a series of celebrity golf tournaments that put golfers versus other top pro athletes. This gives viewers closer access to the players and is one reason the event is so popular. WarnerMedia negotiates with agencies and production firms rather than with a specific league or rights holder. As a result, they don’t have to worry about sharing game schedules with competitors. Nor will they have to carve off a piece of digital or mobile rights. Plus, it will have better access to the players.
A Big Collaboration
Nickelodeon is collaborating with several organizers who are familiar with the WarnerMedia idea. Along with Nickelodeon Productions, Bryan Zuriff and Excel Sports Management. Both had a major hand in the WarnerMedia proposal, will serve as producers.
Production will begin sometime this month at an undisclosed golf course in the Los Angeles area. A Nickelodeon premiere is already planned for this summer.
Read the original article on Variety.
