X Games

X Games
SportAction Sports
FoundedApril 12, 1994 (1994-04-12)[1]
First season1995
Owner(s)1995 - 2022: ESPN
2022 - current: MSP Sports Capital
TV partner(s)ESPN
ESPN2
ABC
Official websiteXGames.com
Notes
Biggest 2024 events:

X Games Aspen

X Games Ventura

X Games Japan

The X Games are a series of action sports events founded by ESPN Inc.. In late 2022, ESPN sold the long-running property to MSP Sports Capital, a private equity firm co-founded by Jahm Najafi and Jeff Moorad. [2] As of early 2024, MSP Sports Capital has overseen four major X Games events as well as other related activations.

The X Games have been held all over the world and typically include sports such as skateboarding, BMX, freestyle motocross, skiing and snowboarding. Participants compete to win bronze, silver, and gold medals, in addition to prize money. X Games events also feature music and culture elements like live music performances, athlete autograph sessions, and interactive, family-friendly exhibitions. X Games California 2023 returned the property to southern California after a 10-year absence from the region. [3] On April 3rd, 2024, X Games announced the 2024 summer edition would again be held in California and be titled X Games Ventura. [4]

The inaugural X Games were held during the summer of 1995 in Providence and Newport in Rhode Island. The competition often features new tricks such as Tony Hawk's 900 in skateboarding, Shaun White's Double McTwist 1260 in snowboard, Dave Mirra's Double Backflip in BMX, Travis Pastrana's Double Backflip in freestyle motocross, Heath Frisby's first snowmobile frontflip, Chuck Carothers's first body varial in freestyle motocross, Henrik Harlaut's first nose-butter triple cork in Ski Big Air, Gus Kenworthy's first switch triple rodeo in a ski slopestyle competition and Torstein Horgmo's first landed triple cork in a snowboard competition.

The X Games gained media exposure due to their big name sponsors, top-tier athletes, and consistent fan attendance. As the Journal of Sport Management (2006) explains, Generation X and Millennials are the two demographics most highly valued by marketers. This creates a broad approach on marketing towards that certain demographic, which is why the X Games marketing and economic outlook is so "out of the box". According to a 2008 report by ESPN, in 1997, the Winter X Games inaugural year, 38,000 spectators attended the four-day event. In 1998, the attendance dropped to 25,000 spectators. But just two years later, a record attendance of 83,500 people attended the Winter X Games East Coast debut.

As part of the X Games, there have been performances by various rock bands over the years, as well as a DJ being on-site at all events. The X Games have made it a point since its founding to stage an eco-friendly event. Such measures include using biodiesel fuel in their vehicles and organizing recycling campaigns.[5]

  1. ^ Daggett, Laurel (April 12, 2013). "Anniversary of the day the X Games were created coincides with inventor's retirement". ESPNFrontRow.com. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  2. ^ Etan Vlessing (October 26, 2022). "ESPN Sells 'X Games' Majority Stake to MSP Sports Capital". Variety.
  3. ^ Andrea DiCristoforo (July 17, 2023). "X Games California 2023 Competition Finals Begin Thursday on ESPN". ESPN.
  4. ^ William Barrios (April 3, 2024). "X Games Returns To Ventura This Summer". SecretLosAngeles.
  5. ^ Coryell, Grace (January 25, 2012). "ESPN's working hard to keep the Winter X Games green". ESPN. Retrieved February 9, 2016.

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