ESPN X Games Global Challenge

ESPN To Stage First-Ever X Games Global Challenge

New Event Starting in 2002 To Match Athletes by Region of Origin

Publication Date: October 2000

ESPN, the action sports leader, will organize and televise a new event matching up the world's best athletes in bicycle stunt riding, skateboarding, aggressive in-line skating and possibly freestyle motocross, based on their region of origin. The X Games Global Challenge, which will take place at different locations outside the United States every other year beginning in 2002, is the latest step in ESPN's major worldwide expansion of the X Games franchise. Its creation was announced in San Francisco during the sixth annual X Games.

"This event will provide fans with a whole new element to action sports competition," said Ron Semiao, ESPN Vice President, Programming, Event Creation and Management. "Different from our annual X Games, the Global Challenge will focus on a format with worldwide bragging rights, as well as medals and money on the line."

As part of its global expansion, ESPN will also stage X Games Qualifiers in Asia, Europe, Latin America, Japan and Australia over the next 15 months. Each of these events, as well as the annual X Games, will create the teams for the X Games Global Challenge.

The X Games Global Challenge centers on the formation of seven teams representing different regions of the world. Each of these teams, which will consist of two athletes per region for each sport discipline, will compete in this new event with both team and individual performances recognized with prize money and medals. ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN International will televise the Challenge in the U.S. and around the world. More details, including the sites and dates of this new event, as well as the event format will be announced at a later time.

For more information contact Josh Krulewitz at: (860)766-2000 or email at: josh.krulewitz@espn.com

For more information on ESPN X Games check out their website at EXPN.com