BOULDER, Colo. — In a significant leadership expansion designed to support its ongoing global transformation, the X Games officially announced the appointment of veteran sports and entertainment executive Steve Rogers as its new Chief Operating Officer. Rogers assumes the role with a robust professional background spanning more than 15 years in international live events, motorsports, action sports management, and corporate operations. His arrival comes at a pivotal juncture for the iconic action sports brand, which is currently scaling its operations to accommodate the rapid international growth of the newly established MoonPay X Games League (XGL) and an expanded year-round global event calendar.
Rogers steps into the COO position following a successful tenure as the Chief Operating Officer of World Supercross, where he spearheaded complex international championship operations and event execution. Prior to his leadership role in professional supercross, Rogers spent nearly a decade integral to the operational success of action sports pioneer Nitro Circus. During his tenure with Nitro Circus, he managed widespread operations for the company’s extensive global touring enterprise, successfully delivering massive action sports and motorsports exhibitions across multiple continents. His comprehensive industry resume also includes high-level executive and operational oversight across prominent properties such as the Nitro World Games, Nitro Rallycross, Street League Skateboarding, and their corporate parent entity, Thrill Sports.
A trained attorney, Rogers bridges rigorous legal acumen with hands-on commercial execution. His expertise encompasses long-term corporate strategy, multifaceted international event logistics, regulatory compliance, and targeted business development—skill sets deemed essential as the X Games broadens its geographical footprint and commercial partnerships worldwide.
The Strategic Evolution of the X Games Brand
The integration of Rogers into the executive suite arrives during a transformative era for the X Games, a property historically recognized for hosting elite, standalone seasonal competitions. The landscape of action sports shifted dramatically with the 2026 debut of the MoonPay X Games League, an innovative restructuring that converts traditional, isolated competitions into a structured, year-round, team-based global circuit.
Under the XGL framework, the competition structure features eight dedicated Clubs split evenly between four summer X Games Clubs and four winter X Games Clubs. This pioneering co-ed team model bridges local geographic identities with elite international athletic talent, establishing enduring season-long narratives. For decades, action sports athletes competed primarily for isolated event titles and individual prize purses. The XGL structure introduces a permanent league format that enhances fan engagement, deepens television and digital storytelling, and opens up new avenues for athlete compensation through team revenue-sharing models that extend far beyond traditional prize earnings.
The league’s multi-platform distribution strategy reflects its global ambitions, securing broadcast and streaming partnerships with major networks and digital platforms including ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+, the Roku Sports Channel, YouTube, and Kick. Following the successful launch of the inaugural Summer Season in 2026, the league is scheduled to launch its winter counterpart in early 2027, introducing continuous, year-round competition to winter action sports disciplines such as skiing, snowboarding, and specialized winter exhibitions.
Leadership Perspectives on Global Scaling
The appointment of an experienced operational executive underscores the immense logistical demands of managing a year-round, multi-continent sports league. Jeremy Bloom, Chief Executive Officer of the X Games, emphasized the necessity of strengthening the corporate leadership team to match the brand’s rapid commercial trajectory.
"X Games is in a period of significant global growth," said Bloom. "We have new ownership groups, new teams launching, new sponsors joining the platform and new global markets coming online. As the business expands, we’re also building the leadership team required to operate at that scale. Steve brings deep experience across action sports, international events and complex live operations, and he will play an important role in helping us build the next era of the MoonPay X Games League around the world."
Reflecting on his return to the core action sports ecosystem, Rogers expressed enthusiasm for the unique challenges and opportunities awaiting the brand. Having spent his career orchestrating large-scale live productions across varied international markets, he views the current evolution of the X Games as an unprecedented milestone for the industry.
"I’ve spent much of my career building live events around the world, so the opportunity to return to action sports and join X Games at this moment is incredibly exciting," noted Rogers. "X Games is one of the most iconic brands in the space, and its evolution into a global league creates enormous potential for its future. I’m looking forward to working with Jeremy and the entire team to build on that momentum, deliver incredible experiences for athletes and fans, and help shape the next chapter of X Games. I’m delighted to be here."
Institutional Backing and Market Implications
The modernization and league-formatting of the X Games are driven by MSP Sports Capital, a prominent global private equity firm specializing in strategic investments across the international sports ecosystem. Founded by veteran investor-operators Jeff Moorad and Jahm Najafi—whose extensive executive pedigrees span major American and international leagues including Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, Formula 1, and European professional football—MSP Sports Capital acquired the X Games to unlock the commercial value inherent in the world’s leading action sports franchise.
The investment thesis behind MSP Sports Capital’s stewardship relies on transitioning action sports from periodic cultural moments into a durable, commercialized league product capable of attracting institutional sponsorships, long-term media rights agreements, and localized franchise investments. By installing seasoned operators like Rogers into the executive hierarchy, the ownership group aims to institutionalize best practices borrowed from traditional major league sports franchises while preserving the authentic, high-adrenaline culture that defines skateboarding, BMX, skiing, snowboarding, and Moto X.
Chronology of Modern X Games Development
- 1995: The inaugural Extreme Games (later rebranded as X Games) are held in Rhode Island, organized by ESPN as a multi-discipline action sports showcase.
- 2000s–2010s: The brand expands internationally, hosting localized iterations across various global cities while anchoring its flagship summer and winter events in permanent domestic hubs.
- October 2022: MSP Sports Capital acquires a majority stake in the X Games from ESPN, initiating a strategic review aimed at commercial expansion and professionalization.
- 2026: The MoonPay X Games League (XGL) launches its inaugural Summer Season, officially shifting the brand model to a year-round, team-based, co-ed league format spanning eight dedicated Clubs.
- October 2026: Veteran sports executive Steve Rogers is appointed Chief Operating Officer to oversee global operations, live event execution, and structural scaling.
- 2027 (Upcoming): The XGL framework expands to include its inaugural Winter Season, cementing the brand’s footprint across 365 days of competitive sports entertainment.
Industry Analysis and Future Outlook
The addition of a Chief Operating Officer with specialized expertise in touring action sports and international motorsports signals that the X Games is heavily prioritizing operational resilience and flawless global execution. Operating a team-based league across multiple international jurisdictions requires navigating complex logistics, broadcast scheduling across diverse time zones, and localized regulatory environments.
For athletes, commercial partners, and host cities, the stabilization of a permanent executive team provides confidence in the long-term viability of the XGL ecosystem. As the league prepares for its upcoming winter expansion in 2027, the primary objective for Rogers and the executive leadership will be ensuring that the quality of live event production, athlete safety protocols, and digital media integration scale seamlessly in tandem with the brand’s global ambitions.
Through its blend of institutional investment, strategic structural reform, and seasoned operational leadership, the X Games aims to redefine the boundaries of action sports, securing a permanent, year-round position at the forefront of the global sports and entertainment landscape.
