Spike TV Names Kobe Bryant 'Athlete of the Decade'

Throughout his illustrious 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant personified the highest level of excellence. The 5-time NBA World Champion, 18-time All-Star, 15-time member of the All-NBA team, 12-time member of the All-Defensive Team, 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist and 2008 MVP, electrified a generation with his basketball brilliance. Spike TV proudly honors the Lakers' iconic superstar with its first ever "Athlete of the Decade" award to be presented at the network's 10th Annual "Guys Choice" event.

"By any measure, Kobe Bryant is a sports legend who exemplifies athletic excellence, world class sportsmanship and stands as one of the greatest to have ever played the game," said Executive Producer Casey Patterson. "Guys Choice is thrilled to be honoring Kobe's remarkable and now legendary 20 year career in basketball."

Always a celebration of comedic genius, legendary entertainers, and superstar athletes, "Guys Choice" will have a 'Rat-Pack' Las Vegas theme for its 10th Anniversary celebration. The A-list, ultimate guys night out, tapes Saturday, June 4 at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, CA and premieres Thursday, June 9 at 9:00 PM, ET/PT on Spike.

This unfiltered, unpredictable and can't-miss event honors kings of cool, the men, women and heroes of the past year. Ben Affleck and Matt Damon will be receiving one of the evening's highest honor, "Guys of the Decade." Other top honors in addition include: Pitch Perfect star Anna Kendrick accepting the "Hot & Funny" award; Supermodel Gigi Hadid receiving "Our New Girlfriend" award which puts her in the company of previous winners, Kate Upton, Chrissy Teigen, Emily Ratajkowski and Hannah Davis; plus Denver Broncos' linebacker and SUPER BOWL MVP Von Miller taking home "Most Unstoppable Jock." Presenters include Adam Devine and Zac Efron. Additional honorees, attendees and presenters will be announced shortly.

In keeping with Spike's year-round efforts to support our nation's servicemen and women, "Guys Choice" will feature inspiring moments saluting our troops and returning veterans.

Official sponsors of Spike's 2016 GUYS CHOICE include AT&T, AXE(R), BACARD?(R), 5(R) Gum, Kia Motors, GEICO(R), and Miller Lite.

Casey Patterson and Casey Patterson Entertainment will serve as Executive Producers, alongside Carol Donovan and Josh Greenberg. Beth McCarthy-Miller is Director and Jon Slusser, Spike's Senior Vice President, Sports and Specials serves as the network's Executive in Charge.

About Casey Patterson Entertainment Casey Patterson Entertainment is a full service production company producing premium content, live events, and talent-driven series and specials with offices in New York City and Los Angeles. Patterson is an Emmy(R)-nominated, critically-acclaimed executive producer who has created an array of groundbreaking programming during her 20 year tenure at Viacom. Patterson's current projects include the breakout hit-series "Lip Sync Battle," the highest-rated series in SPIKE history; "Guys Choice;" Spike's "One Night Only;" "The TV Land Awards;" and "Rock the Troops" with Dwayne Johnson's Seven Bucks Productions. Patterson's credits include such high-profile events as "The Concert for New York City;" "The Concert of the Century at the White House;" "Saturday Night Live 25th Anniversary Special;" " The Comedy Awards;" "Between Two Ferns- A Fairy Tale of New York;" "The Video Game Awards;" "Scream;" "GQ Men of the Year Awards;" "VH1 Vogue Fashion Awards;" "VH1 Divas Live;" "FOX's "Billboard Music Awards;" and "NBC's "Concert for America."

About Spike TV SPIKE TV is available in 91.4 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. SPIKE TV's Internet address is www.spike.com.

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