said Rick Alessandri, senior vice president and managing director, X Games franchise. "As the X Games continues its global expansion, we look forward to working with the athletes to bring the best in action sports to all parts of the globe as well as to discovering new and upcoming athletes."
About ESPN's X Games Franchise
ESPN first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. As part of ESPN Content Development, the X Games, Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration events around the world, including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards and DVDs.
More than 250 athletes from around the globe will be competing at Winter X Games 12 for a million dollars in prize money, the first million dollar purse in X Games history. Medalists will see the largest increase, with first-place finishers receiving 50 percent more than last year. With the overall purse for Winter X Games 12 increased by 38 percent from last year, the total prize purse for all X Games events to be held in 2008 now exceeds $3 million. This year, X Games events will be held in Aspen, Shanghai, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Dubai and two other international markets which will be announced soon. "ESPN is committed to ensuring that the best action sports athletes in the world compete on action sports' grandest stage - the X Games,"
After doing a BMX 'zine for ten years (1987 - 1996) FATBMX made it on the internet. The year was 1998. Here to stay.