Everyone is a huge fan of the X Games, I haven’t met one person that hates it, and it’s about to get bigger! Is this news good for the sport or bad? Here’s the press release:

“ESPN, the leading action sports content provider and creator of the X Games, today announced a significant milestone in its long-term plans to expand the X Games on a global basis. Beginning in 2013, ESPN will produce six world-class X Games events around the world – two in the U.S. and four outside the U.S.

ESPN is putting significant resources and focus behind this push for international expansion and will bring the most prestigious action sports competition to cities and fans around the world.

ESPN will conduct a formal bid process to determine the three new X Games host cities, which will join the current events in Los Angeles, Aspen and Tignes, France (where ESPN is partnered with Canal+). Cities will be selected in 2012 for a three-year agreement and will work with ESPN to produce the events.

A total of 130 hours of live TV coverage across the six X Games events on ESPN networks in the U.S. and around the world will be supplemented by coverage on digital platforms, including a year-round action sports website. The top priority of the X Games will continue to be to spotlight the world’s best action sports athletes in BMX, Skateboard, Moto X, and Rally Car Racing at the X Games; and Skiing, Snowboard and Snowmobile at the Winter X Games. Each X Games event will take on its own distinguishing character that will set it apart from the others, including the introduction of new sports and cultural elements based on the locations themselves. In addition, the X Games will continue to showcase and celebrate action sports competition while also highlighting the artistic and social elements inherent in the action sports lifestyle.”

So it’s a pretty big deal with it expanding to become 6 global events but there’s only so much you can take in one year right? It’s going to be difficult to call but if it’s pushing our sport out to a bigger audience then it can’t be the worst thing in the world…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3qieV2u938