MOST DECORATED OLYMPIAN OF ALL TIME, MICHAEL PHELPS, TO BE HONORED WITH THE LEGEND AWARD AT NICKELODEON'S "KIDS' CHOICE SPORTS 2017"

Burbank, Calif.,--June 14, 2017--American competitive swimmer and most decorated Olympian of all time Michael Phelps has been chosen by Nickelodeon to receive the Legend Award at this year's Kids' Choice Sports 2017. Phelps, who has garnered 28 total medals, will receive the award in recognition of his world record-breaking achievements, unrivaled talent and outstanding sportsmanship in and out of the pool.

Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Sports 2017 will be hosted this year by Super Bowl Champion and Seattle Seahawk's franchise quarterback Russell Wilson and will air Sunday, July 16, from 8-9:30 p.m. (ET/PT), taped live on Thursday, July 13, from UCLA's Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.

Said Phelps, "I am a kid at heart so it really means a lot to me to be recognized by Nickelodeon with the Kids' Choice Sports Legend Award. I had a goal to do something that nobody had ever done before, and with a lot of hard work and dedication, I was able to turn my dream into a reality. I want to encourage all kids to dream big, set goals, follow their passion, and always remember that anything is possible if you put your mind to it."

The Legend Award honors athletes who are the ultimate role models to kids across the globe, inspiring generations year after year. Phelps, who is the fourth athlete to receive this honor, joins a prestigious list of past recipients including five-time NBA Champion Kobe Bryant, soccer legend David Beckham and five-time World Series champion Derek Jeter.

Click here for Michael Phelps' Biography: http://www.michaelphelps.com/us/our-story

Kids' Choice Sports 2017 is the only show that celebrates kids and families' love of sports and top professional athletes. With special guests and outrageous competitions, the one-of-a-kind event 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.

Nick.com/sports will serve as the official destination for Kids' Choice Sports 2017, where kids can cast their votes for their favorite athletes and all-star moments from the past year. After voting, it's game on, with all-star polls and sports-themed short-form videos for kids to check out online and on the Nick App.

Sponsors for Nickelodeon's 2017 Kids' Choice Sports include Airheads(R), Capri Sun Chrysler Pacifica, Crest(R), Nationwide's Make Safe Happen(R), Popsicle(R) and Verizon.

Nickelodeon's Kids' Choice Sports 2017 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.

About Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon, now in its 38th 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, digital, recreation, books and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 90 million households and has been the number-one-rated kids' basic cable network for 22 consecutive years. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB).