20 athletes we'd love to see host 'Saturday Night Live'

For fans who watch a lot of team interaction videos for the New York Knicks, they’re well aware that Josh Hart seems to be like the jokester of the team. When his teammate Jalen Brunson hosted SNL in September 2026, Hart had a brief act during Brunson’s monologue, which helped show off his acting skills. 

Being the face of the WNBA comes with a lot of pressure, but Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson carries the load well, while inspiring younger generations and increasing viewership day by day. But in addition to her countless accolades, Wilson constantly shows her personality in interactions with her teammates, post-game interview clips, and commentary on Threads. On top of the fact, she loves to change her look, which would be perfect for playing different characters. 

George Kittle has an important role to play as a tight end for the San Francisco 49ers. Although his teammates rely on him for his play on the field, he also shows his playful energy with his interview sound bites and playing pranks on his team and fans. 

Tennis player Naomi Osaka has such a calm and peaceful demeanor, but there’s no doubt that some fans would like to see another side of her. Acting out skits on SNL would show how Osaka can channel different characters and emotions. 

Russell Westbrook has the type of personality that always shines on and off the basketball court. Now that he has officially retired from the NBA, he has plenty of time to showcase more of his charm to the world. Whether you’ve seen Westbrook dancing during pre-game warmups, singing to his favorite Paramore song while driving in the car, or trash-talking during a game, it’s honestly surprising that SNL hasn’t booked him yet. 

There’s no doubt about it that Freddie Freeman is one of the most recognizable names in Major League Baseball. He’s a 10x All-Star, 3x World Series Champion, and won MVP during the 2024 World Series. If Freeman had the chance to host, he could also show his love for music, which is already evident with his walk-up songs. 

If you’re a fan of watching WNBA hoops, then Sydney Colson is a prime person to follow on social media. She’s known to be a prankster, easily acts out different skits, and can change her voice and accent with ease. Honestly, Colson's personality is made to host a show like SNL, it definitely could be a second calling for her. 

WWE star Cody Rhodes could follow the footsteps of some of his fellow wrestling superstars, like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and John Cena as a host of SNL. Think about it, Rhodes knows how to follow a storyline, captivate an audience, and even engage in some friendly rivalries. 

Marshawn Lynch may be a retired NFL player, but he’s also already shown off his acting chops in films like Bottoms, Love Hurts, and Eenie Meanie. The thing that people love about Lynch’s personality is simply how much he keeps it real with anybody he interacts with, and he has superb comedic timing even if he isn't intentionally trying to make people laugh. 

If you hear Anthony Edwards talk in interviews, he’s the definition of a player with no filter. He’ll typically say whatever comes to mind without thinking twice. Somebody like Edwards is good for TV, especially since SNL is a live program, which means he would probably lose character quite a bit.  

Figure skater Alysa Liu won the hearts of many when she won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Every time Liu is in interviews, she gives off a confident energy who is proud of her roots in the Bay Area. Liu seems like the girl next door that audiences would love to watch. 

Camryn Bynum took the NFL world by storm during the 2024 season, thanks to his on-field celebrations. The cool thing about his celebrations was showcasing how in tuned he is with pop culture moments. Some of his most popular celebrations included scenes from films like The Parent Trap and High School Musical, as well as signature choreography from R&B star Usher (something the singer reposted himself).

Luka Doncic tends to joke around a bit with his teammates, which is typically on display during post-game interviews and team vlogs. However, fans haven’t seen Luka get into acting mode before, so a hosting gig would give fans a chance to see him more in a scripted, comedic element. 

Simone Biles is the most decorated Olympian of all time, so she already brings viewers to anything she does. Although we know her to be a star gymnast, hosting SNL would give fans a chance to see more of her personality shine.

Paige Bueckers is known for participating in video trends on her social media pages, on top of that, she shows her love for dance and music. She typically has a more serious demeanor on the court, but she also shows her fun side to her fans and people who follow her socials.  

Oklahoma City Thunder player Jared McCain has a big following on TikTok. He usually participates in dance skits alongside his teammates, which easily shows how much fun his teammates have and the camaraderie they build with each other. Due to his likeable personality and how much he’s chronically online, he would be great for acting out skits. 

One of the cool things about social media is how much sports teams use their pages to get their players in on all the action. The New York Liberty’s Breanna Stewart is no stranger to joking around with the social team and fangirling over the celebrities who pull up to Barclays. Not to mention, if she hosted SNL, she could always bring the league’s best mascot, Ellie, with her to act some skits. 

Frances Tiafoe is a fan favorite in the tennis world, and you can easily tell how the crowds are usually packed inside stadiums to watch him play. Due to the fandom he brings to the game, fans would love to see Tiafoe in a creative element, not to mention there could even be skits that center around the tennis world. 

Fans have learned to see why teammates adore Kevin Love, besides his veteran play, he’s very witty. This is shown tremendously on his social media pages, as Love often uses film and TV show references in response to the latest news in the NBA world. 

Patrick Mahomes may be the star of the Kansas City Chiefs, but people have also seen his talents off the field. The star quarterback has been in commercials for brands such as T-Mobile, Subway, and State Farm. He already has the experience to work with a script, but this time it would be more in comedy.