Timberlake, who will host the 16th edition of the ESPN awards show from the Nokia Theater in L. A. on July 20, participated in a conference call Thursday in which he was asked about his golf handicap ("from about 4 to 10, depending if I’m on tour"); his favorite athlete ("Tiger Woods, now. Michael Jordan when I was kid."); his proudest sports moment ("My jumper on [TNT analyst] Kenny Smith on national television, that Barkley won’t let him live down")—and whether he might make reference to the tabloid frenzy surrounding the Yankees slugger and the pop matron.
“I grew up a sports nut. I watched football, I was a religious basketball player and I played soccer in school. I get to be in a room with people I looked up to for ages.”
Asked which sports stars he’s looking forward to meeting, the man who boasted about bringing sexy back offered: “I’ve never met Danica Patrick. I’d like to meet Danica. I think she’s talented.”
IndyCar Series drivers Danica Patrick and Scott Dixon are among the nominees for ESPY awards.
Patrick, the Andretti Green Racing driver who is fifth in the standings heading into the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen this weekend, is nominated in the Best Female Athlete category along with Lorena Ochoa (LPGA), Candace Parker (WNBA) and Lindsey Vonn (skiing).
Patrick also is nominated in the Best Moment category for her IndyCar Series victory at Twin Ring Motegi in April, when she became the first female to win an IndyCar Series first female to win an IndyCar Series race. Patrick also will be an award presenter at the show, hosted by Justin Timberlake, in Los Angeles.
