Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video Backs Online Sports Comedy Hub

NEW YORK: The Kicker is a brand-new sports comedy online destination created by Bryan Tucker, co-head writer of Saturday Night Live (SNL), with backing from SNL creator Lorne Michaels' Broadway Video.

The Kicker is part of the Above Average network, an online destination for original comedic videos and digital arm of Broadway Video. It will release daily content comprised of scripted and shareable videos, images and articles across its website, YouTube channel, Facebook, Twitter and other social channels. Video content will feature top athletes, comedians, and film and TV stars.

"The Kicker brings a world-class network of comedic talent to make our content great," said Tucker, the editor in chief for The Kicker. "After years writing sketches for professional athletes on Saturday Night Live, I've learned how to work together to make them funny. We're all working toward one goal—to entertain the sports fan."

"The Kicker provides brands with a unique way to create an authentic dialogue with passionate sports fans, using customized programming and relevant, high-quality comedy content," added Grant Jones, the general manager at The Kicker. "We will be building an audience that is young and digitally savvy, attracting hardcore as well as the more casual sports fan."

The Kicker has already released its first project in collaboration with Lenovo and Vox Media. The video series, called Fantasy Online College, written by Tucker, features JB Smoove as the "Dean" alongside NFL players as "professors," including Eric Decker, Matt Forte, Demaryius Thomas, DeMarco Murray, Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry.