SpongeBob SquarePants is arguably the most famous animated cartoon character for children ever. That’s why it makes sense that Nickelodeon is building its Super Bowl broadcast this year around the giddy yellow sponge and all his friends in Bikini Bottom. The kids love them!
But if you’re, say, a parent who is unfamiliar with some of SpongeBob’s adventures, you might be wondering why he’ll be singing “Sweet Victory” — a Bob Kulick and David Glen Eisley original — before the Nickelodeon Super Bowl simulcast begins and why it’s a big deal.
It’s not that complicated. It’s just a reference to one of the more memorable episodes in the long-running series.
During a 2001 episode of the show, SpongeBob and friends are tasked with winning a massive battle of the bands. When it appears they might lose, SpongeBob’s band surprisingly breaks out an explosive rendition of “Sweet Victory” that bookends the episode on an uplifting note. It just so happens that it’s played during an football game.
Plus, back in 2019, there was a petition for Maroon 5 to perform the song during their halftime show. Although they didn’t play it, Travis Scott got a SpongeBob intro to his cameo.
With Nickelodeon broadcasting a, you know, football game in real life, it made perfect sense to have the world’s most famous yellow sponge belt out “Sweet Victory” once again.
You asked for it. You got it.
Sweet Victory will kick off @Nickelodeon's presentation of Super Bowl LVIII next Sunday 🧽 🎺 🏈 pic.twitter.com/xvQN4fa8mh
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 1, 2024
