The NFL plans to broadcast one of its Wild Card games on Nickelodeon, according to a CBS release.
The children’s television network will broadcast one Wild Card game featuring “one-of-a-kind kid-focused content and Nick-themed elements throughout,” per CBS. It will also feature appearances from SpongeBob SquarePants, Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller and CBS broadcasters Tony Romo and Jim Nantz.
CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus told Richard Deitsch of The Athletic says the goal is to introduce the NFL to a younger audience.
“The NFL is very intent on reaching a younger audience, and we thought this would be a great way to do it. When we went in to give our pitch to the NFL, this was front and center in that pitch. They loved it right at the outset. I don’t know how big a factor it was in us being successful in acquiring the wild-card game, but I think it certainly played a part. We were able to prove to them in a very real and tangible way that we could implement this. It was a fun pitch to make.”
