LOS ANGELES (BN24) — Two of the biggest names in pop music history may soon trade microphones for golf clubs as the Backstreet Boys have officially challenged *NSYNC to a five-on-five golf tournament, hinting at a nostalgic faceoff of legendary boy bands—offstage and on the green.
During a recent break from their headlining Las Vegas residency at The Sphere, Backstreet Boys members Nick Carter and Brian Littrell spoke with TMZ Sports at California’s iconic Pebble Beach golf course. There, they issued the light-hearted but serious challenge to their long-standing pop rivals.
“You hear it first on TMZ,” Littrell announced, smiling between swings. “It’s going to be the ‘Boy Band Mania Golf Tournament!'” Carter quickly added, “We’re challenging *NSYNC right now to a five-on-five!”
While the rest of *NSYNC has yet to publicly respond, the matchup could pit two of the most recognizable names from the golden era of late-’90s pop against one another in a completely new arena. Littrell, who revealed he carries a 6.8 golf handicap, could find his stiffest competition in *NSYNC’s Justin Timberlake—an experienced and passionate golfer with a similar skill level.
Carter admitted to a 19 handicap, but expressed full enthusiasm to step up to the tee. “We’re in this, win or lose,” he said, underscoring the good-natured competitive spirit behind the challenge.
The Backstreet Boys have maintained their relevance through continued touring and their current Vegas residency, drawing enthusiastic crowds and even celebrity fans. One recent show was attended by NBA star Luka Dončić, who joined the audience to celebrate his new contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
As both Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC enjoy a resurgence fueled by millennial nostalgia and renewed interest in Y2K-era pop culture, the idea of a golf match between the two acts is igniting buzz among longtime fans. Whether or not *NSYNC responds, the playful rivalry has once again put both boy bands in the spotlight—and possibly on the fairway.
With pop history, competition, and camaraderie driving the moment, all eyes are now on *NSYNC to see if they’ll tee up for what could become the most unexpected boy band event of the decade.
