BOULDER, Colo. (October 6, 2026) — In a strategic move signaling a new era of professionalization for action sports, X Games announced today the appointment of Steve Rogers as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Rogers, a seasoned veteran with over 15 years of high-level experience in global sports, live events, and international operations, joins the organization as it navigates a pivotal transformation from a series of standalone events into a year-round, team-based league structure.
The appointment comes as the brand undergoes a significant evolution under its parent company, MSP Sports Capital. With the MoonPay X Games League (XGL) having debuted its inaugural Summer Season in 2026 and a Winter Season expansion slated for 2027, Rogers will be tasked with overseeing the operational architecture necessary to support the brand’s rapid, multi-continental scaling.
The Strategic Shift: Building a Global Sports Powerhouse
For decades, X Games served as the premier showcase for action sports, known for its high-octane, one-off events that captured global television audiences. However, the 2026 launch of the MoonPay X Games League represents a fundamental pivot in the business model. By transitioning to a structured, season-long format featuring eight dedicated clubs, X Games is aiming to replicate the successful commercial frameworks of major global sports leagues like the NFL, F1, and European football.
The addition of Rogers to the executive team is not merely a staffing decision; it is a signal of the brand’s intent to professionalize its logistics, athlete management, and commercial operations to a degree previously unseen in the action sports sector.
A Proven Track Record: The Professional Chronology of Steve Rogers
Steve Rogers’ career trajectory aligns perfectly with the current ambitions of X Games. His background combines the rigorous discipline of legal training with the fast-paced, unpredictable environment of live action sports.
The Nitro Circus Years (2015–2024)
Rogers spent nearly a decade at the center of the action sports world with Nitro Circus. During his tenure, he was instrumental in scaling the company’s global touring business. He served as a core leader across multiple high-stakes properties, including:
- Nitro World Games: Helping redefine competition standards in extreme sports.
- Nitro Rallycross: Navigating the complex logistics of motorized competition.
- Street League Skateboarding (SLS): Managing the intricate operational demands of global street-skate circuits.
- Thrill Sports: Serving as an executive lead during the company’s peak expansion period.
The World Supercross Chapter (2024–2026)
Prior to joining the X Games, Rogers served as the Chief Operating Officer of World Supercross. In this role, he oversaw the operational success of an international championship, dealing with the nuances of global supply chains, cross-border event regulation, and the synchronization of international broadcast schedules. This experience is viewed as highly transferable to the current X Games model, which requires seamless coordination across varying time zones and host markets.
Supporting Data: The Scale of the X Games Transformation
To understand the magnitude of the challenge facing Rogers, one must look at the data driving the X Games business model.
The MoonPay X Games League (XGL) Framework
The league is currently structured around two distinct pillars:
- Summer Season: Launched in 2026, featuring four specialized clubs.
- Winter Season: Scheduled for 2027, introducing four additional clubs to round out the year-round calendar.
Market Reach and Broadcast Footprint
The X Games has transitioned into a content-heavy, multi-platform entity. The current distribution includes:
- Broadcast/Cable: ABC and ESPN.
- Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, and the Roku Sports Channel.
- Digital-Native/Social: YouTube and Kick.
This hybrid model requires a sophisticated logistical operation to ensure consistent fan engagement across disparate platforms. By moving to a team-based model, X Games is creating "season-long storylines," which historical data in sports marketing shows leads to higher fan retention and increased sponsorship value compared to sporadic, one-off event viewership.
Official Responses: Aligning the Vision
The alignment between the CEO’s vision and the incoming COO’s expertise is central to the company’s recent messaging.
Jeremy Bloom, CEO of X Games, commented:
"X Games is in a period of significant global growth. 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."
Steve Rogers expressed his enthusiasm for the mission:
"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. 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."
Implications: The Future of Action Sports
The appointment of Rogers, backed by the private equity muscle of MSP Sports Capital, suggests that the "action sports" category is entering a "Blue Chip" phase.
1. Increased Athlete Compensation
A primary pillar of the XGL is the expansion of athlete compensation. By moving away from a pure "prize purse" model toward a team-based contract model, the league is providing more financial stability for athletes. Rogers’ role will be to ensure that the operational side of the business provides the revenue consistency necessary to sustain these long-term contracts.
2. Standardizing Global Operations
One of the historical hurdles for action sports has been the variance in quality and safety standards across international events. With Rogers’ background in legal compliance and international event delivery, the industry can expect a more standardized "X Games experience," regardless of whether the event takes place in North America, Europe, or Asia.
3. Institutionalizing the Brand
Under the ownership of MSP Sports Capital—a firm founded by industry veterans Jeff Moorad and Jahm Najafi—the X Games is being positioned as a "mature sports company." The focus on professionalizing the management layer (the COO office) indicates that the brand is preparing for potential future investments, public offering considerations, or further high-level media rights negotiations.
4. The Winter 2027 Expansion
The immediate test for Rogers will be the successful launch of the Winter Season in 2027. Winter action sports (skiing, snowboarding, etc.) present a unique set of logistical challenges, particularly regarding venue construction and weather-dependent scheduling. Rogers’ experience in motorsports and high-complexity events will be vital as the league navigates these hurdles.
Conclusion: A New Baseline for Excellence
As the X Games moves into its next decade, the integration of Steve Rogers as COO marks the transition from a legacy brand to a modern, integrated sports conglomerate. By leveraging the infrastructure of the MoonPay X Games League and the strategic oversight of MSP Sports Capital, the organization is clearly aiming to dominate the action sports landscape on a global scale.
The success of this transition will ultimately be measured not just in viewership, but in the brand’s ability to maintain the authenticity that made X Games a cultural phenomenon while embracing the professional rigor of a major, year-round global sports league. As Rogers steps into the office, the roadmap is clear: scale the operations, stabilize the league structure, and secure the future of the world’s most iconic action sports brand.
About X Games:
X Games is the leading action sports brand globally, showcasing the world’s best athletes across skateboarding, BMX, skiing, snowboarding, and Moto X. Through world-class competitions, innovative media, and immersive fan experiences, X Games reaches millions of fans annually across broadcast, streaming, digital, and live events worldwide.
About MSP Sports Capital:
X Games is a portfolio company of MSP Sports Capital, a global private equity firm that invests in teams, leagues, and other businesses in the sports ecosystem. The firm pursues influential positions in mature sports companies and focuses on creating value and driving differentiated returns. For more information, please visit mspsportscapital.com.
