Mina Kimes is trading pigskin for phonics. The beloved ESPN NFL analyst and one of the sharpest minds in sports media has just been named the new host of the National Spelling Bee. If you've watched her break down film on NFL Live, crush it on Celebrity Jeopardy!, or hold her own on Family Feud, you know this gig is a perfect fit.
The Spelling Bee isn't new to the sports world. For decades, it aired on ESPN and ABC, with familiar faces like Erin Andrews and Kevin Negandhi guiding the competition. But in 2021, Scripps moved the event to its own network, ION, which led to a drop in visibility. Now, Scripps is betting big on Kimes to bring back the buzz—and the ratings.
"My goal is to give it the big-game feel," Kimes told the Associated Press. "Any event that requires skill, knowledge, and preparation can feel like a major broadcast if it's presented with enough care and pride on television."
And she's not coming alone. Michael Davies—the Emmy-winning producer behind Jeopardy! and one half of the Men in Blazers—has joined the production team. With Kimes in front of the camera and Davies behind the scenes, expect a polished, high-energy broadcast that feels more like championship Sunday than a classroom contest.
Oh, and if you're wondering about her credentials? Kimes won spelling bees in second, third, and fifth grade. So critics can't pull the "she's never played the game" card. She's got the chops—and the trophies to prove it.
Catch the semifinals on Wednesday, May 27, and the finals on Thursday, May 28, both airing 8-10 p.m. ET on ION. It's spelling, but with a sports-sized stage.