Record-breaking “Jeopardy!” champion and current host, Ken Jennings, has disclosed why he will not participate in the popular quiz show as a contestant again, despite numerous appeals from fans.

Jennings, who stepped into the shoes of the much-admired Alex Trebek in 2021, became a legend in the series after securing 74 consecutive victories in 2004, a record that remains unbeaten nearly 20 years later. The Seattle, Washington native has won over $2.5 million from his initial winning streak alone.

A recent off-camera conversation revealed that Jennings considers his time competing on the show as completely over, according to a well-informed source.

“He mentioned it would be absolutely unfair, given that he possesses all the backstage tips and tricks as a host,” the source disclosed. “He’s been given a benefit on that side of production that would never be fair to other contestants, so no, he insists that wouldn’t happen.”

The former computer programmer referred to the situation as “bittersweet” because competing on the show was his “first love,” but he expressed satisfaction with having “graduated” to the hosting role.

Besides his personal feelings about fairness, there’s also a formal obstacle preventing his comeback as a contestant. As an employee of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which produces “Jeopardy!,” Jennings is automatically disqualified from competing due to the company’s conflict of interest policies. These rules also apply to relatives of Sony Pictures employees, who are also prohibited from becoming contestants.

Jennings has left a significant mark on the game show, holding both the record for most consecutive wins and the highest winnings in regular-season play at $2,520,700. After taking into account various tournaments, his total “Jeopardy!” earnings as a contestant surpassed $4.3 million before he assumed the role of host.

His transition to hosting occurred after the death of longtime host Alex Trebek. Jennings initially served as a guest host before becoming a permanent co-host with Mayim Bialik in 2022. By December 2023, he was the sole host of both the regular “Jeopardy!” program and “Celebrity Jeopardy!”

As a host, Jennings currently earns approximately $4 million per year, which is less than half of what Trebek reportedly made at the end of his 36-year tenure – around $10 million annually. Nonetheless, industry experts anticipate Jennings’ salary to rise if he continues in the hosting role.

Despite some early challenges in filling such iconic shoes, Jennings has been receiving positive feedback from viewers, with sources indicating he’s found his footing in the role.

Jennings has made it clear to executives that he’s dedicated to the position long-term, potentially even at a financial sacrifice if necessary.

“‘Jeopardy!’ is Ken’s religion; he lives it, and he breathes it, and despite all the outside pressures, he’s not going to mess this up,” the source said.

Another insider highlighted Jennings’ profound respect for the show’s legacy, noting that Jennings recognizes that no one could ever fill Alex Trebek’s shoes. He said that Jennings intends “to stick around” and that it’s not about the money but a lifestyle.  

Jennings has previously offered other viewpoints on why he wouldn’t return as a contestant. In one interview, he voiced hesitation to compete against James Holzhauer, another “Jeopardy!” legend who beat Jennings in the 2020 “Greatest of All Time” tournament. Holzhauer is recognized for his aggressive strategy of targeting the most lucrative answers first and making daring bets on “Daily Double” clues, which often rendered “Final Jeopardy!” irrelevant.

Apart from his “Jeopardy!” duties, Jennings has forged a successful career as an author, having written several books on trivia and knowledge. He has also appeared on other game shows including “The Chase” and has hosted the Omnibus podcast.

While fans may be disheartened they’ll never see Jennings compete again, they can continue to enjoy his presence as the show’s host, where he’s committed to honoring the legacy of both “Jeopardy!” and Alex Trebek for years to come.