Mina Kimes, an ESPN NFL analyst, has been named the new television host of the Scripps National Spelling Bee, taking the reins from LeVar Burton who hosted in 2022. The announcement was made Tuesday, marking Kimes as the first celebrity host since Burton. Scripps took over the broadcast from ESPN in 2022 and now airs the bee on its own networks, ION and Bounce.
New Production Team and Venue
Scripps has also brought in a new production team led by Michael Davies, the executive producer of "Jeopardy!" Davies, known for his work on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" and "Reading Rainbow," aims to revitalize the bee's ratings. This year's event will take place from May 26-28 at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., with 247 spellers competing for a trophy and over $50,000 in prizes.
Kimes' Approach to Hosting
Kimes, known for her detailed analysis of NFL game footage, plans to apply a similar approach to the spelling bee. "My goal is to give it the big-game feel," she told the Associated Press. "Any event requiring skill and knowledge can have that feel if presented with care and pride on television." She compares studying spellers to watching game tape, noting their elite preparation and mental processes.
Kimes has a personal history with spelling, having won school-level bees in second, third, and fifth grades. She never competed nationally but understands the dedication required. The bee is open to students through eighth grade, with many training year-round with coaches.
Ratings and Broadcast Changes
Since moving to ION and Bounce, ratings have remained stagnant or declined slightly. The combined finals audience was 609,000 in 2022, 641,000 in 2023, 461,000 in 2024, and 488,000 in 2025. In contrast, ESPN drew over 1 million viewers in 2012. Scripps hopes the new production team and host will reverse this trend.
Longtime analyst Paul Loeffler, a former speller and brother of the bee's executive director, will return for commentary. Davies emphasized focusing the broadcast on the competition's stakes and the winning moment.
Kimes, a Yale graduate, is excited to bring her analytical skills to the bee, highlighting the parallels between football analysis and spelling. "I see a lot of similarities to what I do with football, and I'm so pumped to be a part of this," she said.
