ESPN
X Games Expands Franchise to Become the Largest Action Sports
Competition in the World With Six Annual Events Around the Globe
Four Outside U.S., Two in U.S. Scheduled for 2013; Host Cities Begin Bid Process
ESPN,
the leading action sports content provider and creator of the X Games,
today announced a significant milestone in its long-term plans to
expand the X Games on a global basis. Beginning in 2013, ESPN will
produce six world-class X Games events around the world – two in the
U.S. and four outside the U.S. ESPN is putting significant resources
and focus behind this push for international expansion and will bring
the most prestigious action sports competition to cities and fans
around the world.
ESPN will conduct a formal bid process to
determine the three new X Games host cities, which will join the
current events in Los Angeles, Aspen and Tignes, France (where ESPN is
partnered with Canal+). Cities will be selected in 2012 for a
three-year agreement and will work with ESPN to produce the events.
A
total of 130 hours of live TV coverage across the six X Games events on
ESPN networks in the U.S. and around the world will be supplemented by
coverage on digital platforms, including a year-round action sports
website. The top priority of the X Games will continue to be to
spotlight the world’s best action sports athletes in BMX, Skateboard,
Moto X, and Rally Car Racing at the X Games; and Skiing, Snowboard and
Snowmobile at the Winter X Games. Each X Games event will take on its
own distinguishing character that will set it apart from the others,
including the introduction of new sports and cultural elements based on
the locations themselves. In addition, the X Games will continue to
showcase and celebrate action sports competition while also
highlighting the artistic and social elements inherent in the action
sports lifestyle.
“We are incredibly excited to take the X
Games to the next level,” said Scott Guglielmino, senior vice
president, programming and Global X Games. “While we have produced
events under the X Games banner outside the U.S. for many years, these
four new X Games events will be of the same size and stature as the Los
Angeles and Aspen events.”
Pro skateboarder and legend Tony
Hawk, an integral part of the X Games as an iconic athlete and TV
analyst, said, “It has been incredible to see the X Games grow from its
relatively underground inception in 1995, to a thriving global
competition circuit today. Our sports have benefited greatly from the
positive exposure over the years, and I am proud to have watched it all
evolve since the beginning.”
Since
the X Games began in 1995, the franchise has evolved into a recognized,
global brand as the event has grown and expanded its reach into
consumer products, theatrical releases and ESPN.com/action –
the definitive site for action sports fans. Over the past decade, the X
Games and Winter X Games have enjoyed increased attendance as well as
coverage and ratings/usage on TV and other ESPN platforms. The most
recent X Games and Winter X Games each set attendance records, pushing
all-time attendance to more than two million spectators.
This
expansion will be the first of its kind for the franchise in terms of
size, scope and scale, but since 1998 the X Games has successfully
organized smaller events, qualifiers and demonstrations in Brazil,
Canada, China, France, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Singapore,
Spain, Taiwan, Philippines and Dubai.
5/17/2011 3:16pm
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