During the sixth annual X Games today in San Francisco, ESPN, Inc. officially unveiled the specifics of its plans for a major year- round global expansion of its X Games franchise. Over the next 18 months, more than 10 X Games events will be staged on five different continents, including X Games Qualifiers, Junior X Games, the Asian Xtour and the X Games and Winter X Games. The announcement was made by ESPN President George Bodenheimer. Last November, ESPN staged a successful X Games Qualifier on Phuket Island, Thailand, prompting ESPN to return there in December 2000 and to add other events throughout the world. Following is the proposed schedule for 2000-1 X Games events around the world.
Dates are subject to change.
This major step illustrates the global interest and international influence on the action sports landscape and signifies ESPN's commitment to continued growth at both the grassroots and competitive levels. Following is a brief description of each of the new global events outlined in the schedule. The ESPN International Networks will feature five original hours of television coverage from each qualifier. In addition, terrestrial television partners in various markets will present highlight packages and athlete features. Each qualifier will be seen in over 180 countries worldwide.