Comedian Tyler Lemmon struck a viral chord with a late-January tweet. It has since been shared around 10 million times through a variety of high profile hockey media. (Ty Lemmon)

By Alex Rawnsley

SECRET'S OUT

‘Phantom’ tweet generates viral reaction, merch deal for Nanaimo comedian

Feb 12, 2020 | 11:44 AM

NANAIMO — The power of social media has helped put a local comedian in the spotlight.

Tyler Lemmon, a comedian with strong roots and family in Nanaimo who’s living in Victoria, tweeted on Jan. 31 a joke he recently added to his stand-up routine.

Lemmon told NanaimoNewsNOW the joke about a real over-35 mens beer league team never resonated with live audiences but it found new life online.

“Within five minutes my phone went crazy and it had thousands of people liking it and it’s snowballed from there.”

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The tweet was shared and discussed by major hockey media outlets such as Spittin’ Chiclets, Barstool Sports, Sportsnet, TSN and the American Hockey League’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

Lemmon estimated between his own account and the shares, his joke was viewed close to 10 million times.

There’s now talk of a TV show, expected to be pitched to Bell Media in coming weeks.

“It’s going to be a show that’s based in a bar and a hockey team comes in there every couple of weeks and they’re playing the Phantoms so they’re sitting around the bar and telling war stories,” Lemmon said.

A merchandise deal with the clothing company Friday Beers is in motion.

Lemmon said while the explosive tweet has been a wild ride, some people are upset he shared such a closely guarded rec hockey secret.

“I have gotten some hate mail from some people, a lot in the Boston area who are fans of Barstool Sports,” Lemmon said. “It’s a true story and something we were doing for a couple of years…it was great bonding for our team.”

—with files from Ian Holmes

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley