BOULDER, Colo. — In a strategic move designed to reinforce its executive leadership during a period of unprecedented corporate transformation, the X Games officially announced the appointment of veteran sports and entertainment executive Steve Rogers as its new Chief Operating Officer. Announced on October 6, 2026, from the company’s headquarters in Boulder, Colorado, Rogers’ arrival signals a critical phase in the ongoing international scaling of the iconic action sports franchise, most notably the continuous development of the MoonPay X Games League (XGL) and its expanding portfolio of year-round international competitions.
Rogers steps into the role with more than 15 years of high-level executive experience spanning global live events, motorsports, complex international operations, and action sports properties. His professional background includes a recent tenure as the Chief Operating Officer of World Supercross, where he successfully navigated the logistical and operational hurdles of running an international motorsport championship across multiple continents. Prior to his work with World Supercross, Rogers spent nearly ten years embedded within the action sports ecosystem as a key operational leader for Nitro Circus. During his decade-long tenure with the action sports powerhouse, he managed expansive global live touring footprints and oversaw the execution of major international properties, including the Nitro World Games, Nitro Rallycross, Street League Skateboarding, and the broader portfolio of its parent entity, Thrill Sports.
By training, Rogers is a qualified attorney, bringing a unique blend of formal legal acumen and commercial expertise to the X Games’ executive suite. This dual background positions him to manage the intricate legalities, commercial partnerships, international sanctioning agreements, and multi-market logistical frameworks required to operate a modern, globally distributed sports league. His comprehensive career history encompasses corporate strategy, event delivery, risk management, and business development—all vital competencies as the organization transitions from a series of standalone marquee events into a fully integrated global sports property.
A Transformational Era for an Action Sports Pioneer
The appointment of a seasoned Chief Operating Officer arrives at a pivotal juncture in the history of the X Games. Long recognized as the undisputed premier global brand in action sports—showcasing elite athletes across skateboarding, BMX, skiing, snowboarding, and Moto X—the organization has undergone a massive structural evolution under the ownership of MSP Sports Capital.
MSP Sports Capital, a prominent global private equity firm founded by veteran investor-operators Jeff Moorad and Jahm Najafi, acquired a majority stake in the X Games with a clear vision: to transition the brand from cyclical, episodic competitions into a sustainable, year-round commercial enterprise. MSP brings extensive institutional knowledge from investments across major global sports ecosystems, including Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, Formula 1, and European association football.
The culmination of this strategic pivot was the 2026 debut of the MoonPay X Games League. Designed as the world’s first year-round, team-based, co-ed league in action sports, the XGL represents a fundamental structural shift for the industry. The league features eight distinct Clubs—divided evenly between four summer X Games Clubs and four winter X Games Clubs—that successfully fuse geographic identity with elite global athletic talent.
Unlike traditional action sports formats where athletes compete strictly as individuals for isolated prize purses, the XGL introduces a structured, multi-event season complete with regular-season standings, playoffs, and season-long storylines. This team-oriented model has fundamentally altered athlete compensation, opening up auxiliary revenue streams and earning potential beyond traditional podium bonuses. Furthermore, the league has secured robust multi-platform distribution deals, broadcasting across major networks and digital channels including ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+, the Roku Sports Channel, YouTube, and Kick, thereby maximizing audience reach and fan engagement.
Executive Perspectives on Growth and Scale
The decision to bring Rogers on board reflects the operational demands of managing a rapidly scaling international property. With new ownership groups, newly established teams, incoming global sponsors, and fresh international host markets coming online, the X Games leadership recognized the necessity of bolstering its operational infrastructure.
"X Games is in a period of significant global growth," said Jeremy Bloom, Chief Executive Officer of the X Games. "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."
For Rogers, the transition represents a homecoming of sorts to an industry where he spent formative years building complex live touring properties. The opportunity to shape the future of a legacy brand while steering an innovative league model was a compelling draw.
"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," said 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."
Chronology of Institutional Evolution
To understand the weight of Rogers’ appointment, it is helpful to examine the rapid chronology of corporate developments that have reshaped the X Games brand over recent years:
- Historical Foundation: Established as a dominant periodic cultural touchstone for youth culture and extreme sports, operating primarily as standalone summer and winter invitationals broadcast globally.
- Acquisition by MSP Sports Capital: Private equity firm MSP Sports Capital acquires a majority interest in the X Games, installing veteran leadership—including CEO Jeremy Bloom—to modernize and commercialize the intellectual property.
- Strategic Restructuring: Management lays the groundwork for a transition toward a permanent, year-round platform capable of sustaining multi-market commercial partnerships and team ownership models.
- Launch of the MoonPay X Games League (XGL): In 2026, the XGL officially debuts its inaugural Summer Season, introducing eight franchise Clubs, a co-ed team format, and comprehensive broadcast distribution across linear television and prominent digital streaming platforms.
- Expansion of Executive Infrastructure (October 2026): Steve Rogers is appointed as Chief Operating Officer to manage the expanding global operational footprint, international logistics, and upcoming league phases.
- Upcoming Winter Expansion (2027): The MoonPay X Games League is scheduled to formally expand its team-based structure into winter sports competition, cementing the year-round competitive calendar.
Implications for the Action Sports Ecosystem
The integration of a dedicated Chief Operating Officer with Rogers’ specific skill set carries notable implications for the broader sports and entertainment landscape. Action sports have historically faced monetization challenges due to their fragmented nature, heavy reliance on episodic events, and lack of standardized team structures. By centralizing operations under a professional league framework akin to traditional stick-and-ball sports, the X Games is attempting to solve the long-standing puzzle of sustainable athlete financing and brand loyalty.
Industry analysts note that a structured team model helps mitigate the financial volatility inherent in extreme sports, where a single injury can sideline an individual competitor’s primary source of income. By anchoring athletes to geographic and corporate Clubs within the XGL, sponsors gain predictable, year-round visibility, while fans are given continuous narratives to follow rather than isolated weekend spectacles.
Furthermore, Rogers’ extensive background in international motorsports and touring logistics will be critical as the XGL looks beyond its domestic footprint into new global territories. International host cities frequently demand complex multi-agency coordination, temporary venue construction, stringent safety compliance, and broadcast synchronization—all areas where Rogers’ operational pedigree is expected to yield immediate efficiencies.
As the X Games prepares for the 2027 rollout of its winter league expansion, the organizational machinery is now firmly in place. With institutional backing from MSP Sports Capital, a clear commercial mandate established through the MoonPay partnership, and an experienced global operator at the helm of day-to-day execution, the brand appears well-positioned to navigate its ambitious next chapter.
