Recent revelations about "Jeopardy!" contestants having to cover their own travel and accommodation expenses have ignited a firestorm of criticism from fans. While this policy has been in place for years, it gained widespread attention after recent champion Ben Goldstein voiced his concerns on social media.
Goldstein highlighted the financial burden this practice places on contestants, particularly those with limited resources, stating, "Not everyone can afford a trip to LA with no guarantee of payback." He shared an article from a fan site discussing the issue, which referenced a 1994 Oakland Tribune piece explaining the show's rationale.
According to a former contestant coordinator quoted in the Tribune, "Jeopardy!" doesn't cover travel costs for regular episodes to maintain fairness between local and out-of-town participants. Travel expenses are only covered during tournaments.
This long-standing policy has sparked outrage among current fans, many of whom were unaware of it until Goldstein brought it to light. Some argue that the show, with its substantial profits, could easily afford to cover these expenses, making the competition more accessible to a wider range of individuals. One fan calculated that covering a modest trip for each contestant would represent a small fraction of the show's reported annual earnings.
While non-winning contestants receive consolation prizes ($3,000 for second place, $1,000 for third), some argue that these amounts are insufficient to offset travel costs, especially with current inflation. Goldstein himself confirmed that he had to pay for his initial trip, including flights and hotel stays, although the show covered his expenses for a return trip during a second taping week.
He challenged the notion of "budgetary restraints" justifying the policy, estimating that the cost of covering contestant travel would be minimal compared to the show's overall budget. This controversy adds to recent debates surrounding "Jeopardy!", including criticism of certain clues and the choice of hosts following the passing of Alex Trebek.
