Scripps National Spelling Beebr Ends in Historic 8-Way Tie For the first time in its 94-year history, a recordbr eight spellers were crowned co-champions ofbr the 2019 National Spelling Bee. The winners spelled the final 47 wordsbr correctly in five consecutive rounds. During the competition, spelling bee pronouncerbr Jacques Bailly said the champions pushed thebr competition into “uncharted territory.” Jacques Bailly,br via ‘ESPN’ Although the first and second placebr prize money is usually split in the event of a tie, it was decided that each of the eight spellersbr would be given the full $50,000 cash prizebr as well as a Scripps Cup trophy. Paige Kimble, executive director of thebr spelling bee, said the contingency planbr was developed in the bee’s earlier rounds.