The Sporting News’ SNL athlete-host list begins with Fran Tarkenton’s 1977 episode and lists Jalen Brunson for Sept. 26, 2026—three days after the article’s Sept. 23 publication date.
The article identifies former Vikings quarterback Tarkenton as the first professional athlete to host the show. Other names on the roster include O.J. Simpson, Bill Russell, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Dwayne Johnson, Tom Brady, LeBron James and Travis Kelce.
The article’s footnotes say Barkley hosted three more episodes and Dwayne Johnson, known as The Rock, hosted four more.
