Knicks star Jalen Brunson joins exclusive group of athletes to host SNL

Jalen Brunson, the Knicks guard who earned NBA Finals MVP honors, is slated to host the season-52 premiere of Saturday Night Live on September 26, 2026, making him the 36th athlete to headline the iconic comedy show. Since its debut, SNL has featured a limited roster of sports personalities such as Fran Tarkenton, OJ Simpson, Bill Russell, Charles Barkley, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Ronda Rousey and Travis Kelce, among others.

The piece lists each host in order, noting dates, teams, and musical guests for their episodes. Brunson will be joined by musical act Katseye for the live broadcast. The article highlights the rarity of athletes crossing into sketch comedy and underscores Brunson’s addition to this exclusive club.