ESPN, Inc. has selected Los Angeles to host the next two X Games, the original and definitive multi-day action sports competition, starting with the ninth annual event, August 14 – 18, 2003.

The announcement was made today by ESPN President George Bodenheimer and AEG President and CEO Timothy J. Leiweke. AEG — owner and operator of STAPLES Center — which will serve as the primary venue for the X Games, represented the City of Los Angeles in reaching the agreement. The X Games showcases more than 300 of the world’s best action sports athletes competing in a variety of sports categories for medals and prize money.

Under the terms of the two-year agreement, competitions in Bike Stunt, Moto X, Skateboard, Aggressive In-line Skate and Speed Climb will be held inside and around STAPLES Center (Aug. 14-18). The Moto X Freestyle event will be held in the Los Angeles Coliseum at night under the lights (Aug. 15 or 16), while Wakeboard, Skateboard Street and Downhill BMX will take place the week prior at locations to be determined.

‘Southern California is the action sports hub and the X Games will reach new heights in the City of Los Angeles,’ Bodenheimer said. ‘After collaborating with AEG on a successful ESPY awards earlier this year, we are confident that our combined promotional reach will strengthen the growing significance of the X Games as an elite sports championship event. The world-class STAPLES Center and other neighboring venues will set the stage for a spectacular experience for our athletes, fans, sponsors and affiliates over the next two years.’

Leiweke added, ‘This is a major coup for Los Angeles. Not only are the X Games a phenomenal event that receives worldwide distribution and interest, it creates a $50 million annual impact to Los Angeles. We are grateful to our friends and partners at ESPN and acknowledge the leadership of Mayor Hahn and the business community of Los Angeles for making this a reality.’

Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn said, ‘We fought hard to let ESPN know that Los Angeles wanted to host the X Games, and we are thrilled that they have chosen Los Angeles to host not one but two X Games — including the 10th Anniversary Games. Los Angeles has hosted two Olympic Games and championships in virtually every major sport, and is the epicenter for action sports. We are eager to join with ESPN to build on the already tremendous success of the X Games.’

‘We are proud to partner with ESPN to bring the X Games to Los Angeles,’ said Los Angeles City Councilmember Jan Perry. ‘Not only will this tremendous event focus worldwide attention on our downtown, it will generate over 10,000 room nights for our hotels and $50 million for our economy.’

ESPN and AEG have worked together on previous arrangements, including this past July when the ESPY Awards were brought to Los Angeles, and on World Cup and Major League Soccer (MLS) agreements.

ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC Sports will combine to televise more than 20 original hours of X Games coverage annually, while ESPN International will distribute the Games worldwide. In addition, EXPN.com, the year-round home for action sports and culture will offer extensive coverage, including streaming video from the X Games.

The City of Philadelphia hosted X Games VII and VIII (2001 and 2002). While the economic study for 2002 is still pending, X Games VII in 2001 produced an estimated $42 million in economic impact. The first two X Games were held in Rhode Island in 1995 and ’96. The event moved to San Diego (1997, ’98), and then to San Francisco (1999, 2000).

X Games VIII in Philadelphia was the most-watched X Games ever as 62.7 million people in the U.S. tuned in on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. ABC’s first-ever primetime X Games telecast was the highest-rated and most- watched X Games program ever and it produced ABC’s highest summer ratings in the Sunday 7-9 p.m. time period among adults 18-34. In terms of on-site support, more than 221,000 fans attended the event, including the two millionth spectator in the history of the X Games, while the main venue averaged 40,210 spectators daily.

For further information please contact:

ESPN
Josh Krulewitz
T: +1 860-766-2000
E: josh.krulewitz@espn.com

X Games
Melissa Gullotti
T: +1 860-766-7216
E: melissa.c.gullotti@espn.com

AEG
Michael Roth
T: +1 213-742-7155
E: MRoth@STAPLESCenter.com