Any debate as to Southern California’s claim to the throne as America’s king of summer action sports will have to be postponed until at least 2009, after an agreement that will keep the ESPN X Games in Los Angeles for the next five years was announced.
The decision comes after a two-year test run in the city, a site selection pattern similar to that of its Winter X Games counterpart, based at Aspen’s Buttermilk Mountain until after 2007. Before this summer’s X Games 11, Aug. 4-11, the event had rotated sites every two years: Rhode Island (1995-96), San Diego (1997-98), San Francisco (1999-2000) and Philadelphia (2000-02).
“Aspen played a lot into our decision,” said ESPN senior vice president and X Games creator Ron Semiao. “We took that first step in staying long-term in Aspen and have since seen the benefits of the growth of the Winter X Games. Based on that success and the great facilities in Los Angeles, we believe this arrangement will continue to strengthen the event and make it the best it can be.”
The annual X Games showcase more than 150 athletes competing in BMX freestyle, moto X, skateboard, surfing and wakeboard.
Scott Willoughby can be reached at 303-820-1993 or at swilloughby@denverpost.com.
