HBO is not renewing Game Theory with Bomani Jones, the show’s host confirmed on his The Evening Jones podcast.
In two seasons beginning in 2022 and spanning 16 episodes, Bomani Jones entertained a late night audience by bringing to HBO the same witty and thoughtful sports commentary that has made him a star at ESPN.
It’s not clear why HBO decided to go in another direction, but there’s no denying the show had some hard-hitting, insightful and hilarious monologues worth revisiting. Season 1 is unavailable for streaming at the time of this post, so here’s a ranking of the best monologues from Season 2. And they’re all really good.
10
Episode 1: Player Empowerment
What does player empowerment truly mean? @bomani_jones coming in hot on the season premiere of Game Theory now streaming on @hbomax pic.twitter.com/pHJtYfABVI
— Game Theory with Bomani Jones (@GameTheoryHBO) January 21, 2023
Jones makes a case that the so-called player empowerment era is overstated and LeBron James’ power moves only further his own aspirations rather than serving the greater good of players as a whole.
9
Episode 5: Overtime Elite and the State of the NBA
Overtime Elite, the only school where you get graded on clout. pic.twitter.com/8ysh5yCkhe
— Game Theory with Bomani Jones (@GameTheoryHBO) February 22, 2023
Bo dives into the Overtime Elite basketball program and whether it properly serves young basketball players or exploits their desire for clout and NBA stardom.
8
Episode 7: Make Way for the Ballers
Cheap ass broke boy owners are ruining baseball, and Bomani's naming names. pic.twitter.com/lrKj7PiSpJ
— Game Theory with Bomani Jones (@GameTheoryHBO) March 13, 2023
Jones takes to task the wealthy owners of Major League Baseball teams who, unlike Mets owner Steve Cohen, refuse to spend those big bucks on fielding competitive rosters.
7
Episode 8: NIL
The fact is, most college athletes aren't actually making money off of NIL deals. Also, just a reminder, the NCAA still doesn't pay its players. pic.twitter.com/h1Sb4EjeDC
— Game Theory with Bomani Jones (@GameTheoryHBO) March 20, 2023
Jones points out how NIL gives the NCAA an excuse to continue not paying its workers, many of whom don’t even earn NIL money.
6
Episode 10: War on Social Drugs
The legacy of basketball star Len Bias and how his death was used to usher in an era of mass incarceration pic.twitter.com/eA8lur7o8v
— Game Theory with Bomani Jones (@GameTheoryHBO) April 4, 2023
Bo traces the history of drug testing in sports and makes a convincing case for sports leagues to stop testing for social drugs.
5
Episode 4: Secretly Woke NFL
Do you know where NFL's Inspire Change™ is actually spending its money? pic.twitter.com/AIRXQBs2sl
— Game Theory with Bomani Jones (@GameTheoryHBO) February 11, 2023
Jones uncovers just how “woke” the NFL actually is through its surprisingly large funding of social justice causes relative to other causes the league supports.
4
Episode 9: NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
Fun Fact: Up until 2022, roughly 365 days ago, women's college basketball wasn't even allowed to use the March Madness logo or branding. pic.twitter.com/uliT3GDNxI
— Game Theory with Bomani Jones (@GameTheoryHBO) March 25, 2023
Women’s college basketball hasn’t received equitable treatment from the NCAA, which is likely doing itself a financial disservice in the process, as Jones explained.
3
Episode 2: Brett Favre
The maximum monthly benefit for a family of three in Mississippi: $260
Over a million dollars in funds earmarked for needy families
funneled into Brett Favre’s various endeavors: **Priceless** pic.twitter.com/rbyNXBUdai— Game Theory with Bomani Jones (@GameTheoryHBO) January 31, 2023
Jones sheds light on the intricacies of the Mississippi welfare scandal and Brett Favre’s alleged involvement along with others in using state welfare funds for other projects.
2
Episode 3: Jake Paul
Warning: Video clip includes explicit language
The most viral moment from Game Theory was when Jones interviewed Jake Paul as part of this monologue on his move into the sports betting business and some of the questions got an intense reaction.
1
Episode 6: Sportswashing
Think sports washing is just something that happens in those other countries? pic.twitter.com/YJtkVUHpPu
— Game Theory with Bomani Jones (@GameTheoryHBO) March 7, 2023
The concept of sportswashing has been heavily discussed in the years since the rise of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf tour. Jones touched on the subject and the sportswashing that has occurred right here in the United States.
