While Jeopardy! has been an iconic staple of game shows for decades, sports versions have come and gone in many forms.
The latest attempt saw ESPN and Disney+ team up for a streaming version called ESPN Jeopardy, hosted by Joe Buck, who guest-hosted the real thing when the game show tried several candidates to replace Alex Trebek.
As Buck announced on this week’s edition of Monday Night Football, the show is being renewed for a second season. However, there’s a catch.
While season one featured celebrities and ESPN personalities competing in a tournament format, season two will feature regular sports fans, with $300,000 on the line. Longtime ESPN reporter Jeremy Schaap won the first season of ESPN Jeopardy!, collecting $500,000 for his charity of choice, the International Sports and Music Project.
Fans can apply to be on the show by taking a sports Jeopardy! quiz and trying to test their knowledge to see if they can earn their spot.
To be honest, this is what the show should have been all along. The whole allure of Jeopardy! is watching people from everyday life compete to win a life-changing amount of money in a test of their intellect.
The top prize of $300,000 is definitely a lot of money and nothing to sneeze at. But if you’re a sports fan, especially one who’s college-aged, wouldn’t you rather work on your field goal kicking and potentially win a million dollars through Pat McAfee’s field goal kicking contest on College GameDay? Kicking one field goal, especially if you’re given a second chance, would seem to be a much easier pathway to generational wealth than trying to be the world’s smartest sports fan.
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