Of all the properties forMadden NFL 21to have a crossover with, nobody could have expected theSpongeBob Squarepantsfranchise to make an appearance. However, this is exactly what is happening, asSpongeBob’s appearance in the latestMaddengame is set to happen sometime tomorrow. While it is still unclear as to what the crossover is going to include, as it could be anything from special Ultimate Team Cards to a Bikini Bottom-themed stadium, the bigger question is just why the SpongeBob-themed event is happening in the first place.
While it is surely going to be strange to see SpongeBob sharing the stage with football players inMadden NFL 21, the confusing event is not without reason. Surprisingly, there is an explanation behind the unexpected SpongeBob teasers, and it ties back to the property thatMaddenis based on. With the NFL and Nickelodeon having a mostly undiscussed relationship, a greater understanding of the crossover begins to present itself — though knowing why the SpongeBob connection is being made does not make the fact that it is happening any less weird.
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Why The Crossover Is Happening
Announced via a post on the officialMadden NFL 21Twitter account on January 5, SpongeBob’s face was seen hidden in a yellow background. Captioned “are you ready?,” a reference to the catchy theme song from the beloved show led by the sea sponge, the post’s January 7 release date teases that something big is coming soon. While what exactly this is remains to be seen,bit ofSpongeBob-related newshas certainly gotten people talking.
With most people asking why this event is happening, as nobody involved withMadden NFL 21has commented further on the crossover, it would be easy to assume that there is simply no answer behind the team-up. However, one Twitter post from CBS perfectly explains the logic behind the pairing, as SpongeBob’s role inMadden NFL 21is connected to the NFL playoffs. This Sunday, the New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears will be playing each other in a Wild Card game, with each team hoping to brave the tough path to the Super Bowl. However, the game will not just be broadcasted on CBS, as a dual broadcast will occur on Nickelodeon.
The Twitter post announcing the news showcases some of the things that will be seen in the Nickelodeon version of the event, with the televised appearance including some cheesy graphics such as slime from the Kid’s Choice Awards and googly eyes being placed on NFL stars. With visuals mimicking thepopular online gameRobloxbeing used to recap certain plays, the broadcast certainly seems to know its audience. The more child-friendly version of the game will even see sideline reporters being replaced by Nickelodeon stars likeAll That’s Lex Lumpkin, and the dual broadcast of the playoff game seems like a unique attempt to get children more interested in the sport of football.
The Tweet also mentions SpongeBob, with the the character’s involvement in the event explained via a post on the ViacomCBS website. With the company owning both CBS and Nickelodeon, the thought process behind the dual broadcast seems obvious, and the post also details a major reason behind the Nickelodeon showing of the Wild Card game. With plenty of people likely tuning in by halftime, Nickelodeon will be able to premiere the first trailer for theSpongeBob Squarepantsspinoff showKamp Koral, which sees everyone from Sandy to Plankton as depicted as kids. A pre-game countdown will see the NFL’s Von Miller recapping SpongeBob’s sports-themed moments, which will surely include clips from the Bubble Bowl performance and Fry Cook competition.
Keeping this special playoff broadcast in mind, the reasoning behind SpongeBob’s appearance inMadden NFL 21seems clear. Rather than just giving one of2020’s most disappointing gamesa second chance at life through a quirkySpongeBobcameo, the football sim is being used as another way to hype up this weekend’s major playoff clash on Nickelodeon. With similar things being done via weekly challenges in Madden’s Ultimate Team mode, the main draw of the series, the thought process becomes even more understandable.
What The SpongeBob Content May Look Like
While the reasoning behind the crossover can be figured out, narrowing down what will actually be seen in the special content is a bit more challenging. While theNFL has worked withFortniteand other well-known games in the past, bringing team logos and memorabilia to the game, having content not related to Football inside aMaddengame is relatively unheard of. Still, there are a few possibilities that immediately jump out for SpongeBob content.
For starters,Madden NFL 21stadiumscould be packed with crowds in SpongeBob shirts. Coaches can be placed in mascot-like costumes, mimicking older characters with aggressive personalities such as Mr. Krabs and Squidward. A funny redesign of player helmets could take place, with NFL stars seeing their protective gear replaced by SpongeBob’s Karate helmet. Jellyfishes or Gary the Snail can be tossed around in place of a pigskin, while popular music from theSpongeBob SquarePantsshow and movies can be used in the menus ofMadden NFL 21.
Other possibilities includeSpongeBob SquarePantsclips being used in between plays, as well as a halftime performance of one of the show’s catchier tracks. The best possible crossover would see SpongeBob andhis popular pal Patrickcommentating over NFL action for a short time, though this would take a fair bit of work on the part of EA Sports and Nickelodeon. Still, if this collaboration is extensive as it seems to be, including the most prominent members ofSpongeBob Squarepants’ voice cast does not seem out of the realm of possibility. It is hard to imagine something more entertaining than Patrick Star delivering the much-memed line “firmly grasp it” upon a fumble happening in a game, and plenty moreSpongeBob SquarePantsquotes could be used if a commentary team was part of the crossover.
Madden NFL 21is out now on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
