BOULDER, Colo. — The landscape of professional action sports underwent a seismic shift today as the MoonPay X Games League (XGL) announced the four architects tasked with defining the inaugural Winter Season. With the finalization of the league’s four founding Winter Clubs and the appointment of a high-profile slate of General Managers, the XGL has effectively transitioned from a concept to a competitive reality, setting the stage for a dramatic debut in January 2027.
The appointments of Jonny Moseley, Dave Sypniewski, Sharalee “Haze” Hazen, and Ryan Stutt mark the completion of the league’s foundational leadership structure. These four individuals will carry the immense responsibility of curating 10-athlete rosters, establishing team cultures, and navigating the inaugural XGL Winter Draft on September 16 in Los Angeles.
The Architect Lineup: Meet the General Managers
The XGL has opted for a diverse blend of Olympic pedigree, business acumen, and cultural influence to lead its winter expansion. By moving toward a franchise-style model, the X Games is signaling a departure from the traditional "event-by-event" nature of action sports, favoring instead a model that prioritizes long-term team narratives.
Jonny Moseley – XC Golden State
An Olympic gold medalist and a revolutionary figure in freeskiing, Moseley is arguably the most recognizable name in the cohort. His influence in the late 1990s helped bridge the gap between traditional competitive skiing and the counter-cultural rise of the X Games. As the GM for XC Golden State, Moseley aims to channel the competitive heritage of the Lake Tahoe and Bay Area regions.
Dave Sypniewski – XC New York
Sypniewski brings a pragmatic, bottom-line focus to XC New York. Having spent his career at the intersection of athlete marketing and commercial growth with industry giants like Burton and Thrasher, his appointment is a strategic play to maintain the winning momentum established by the New York summer franchise. He will be bolstered by the expertise of Special Advisor Barrett Christy Cummins, a legend in snowboarding and a U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame inductee.
Sharalee “Haze” Hazen – XC Park City
Hazen is the league’s “culture-first” strategist. Her experience as the GM for XC Los Angeles during the successful inaugural summer season—combined with her role in founding The Uninvited Invitational—makes her the ideal candidate to establish a brand-forward identity in the iconic winter hub of Park City, Utah.
Ryan Stutt – XC Whistler
The final piece of the puzzle is Ryan Stutt, the Canadian media powerhouse who has spent over two decades chronicling the evolution of winter sports. As the founder of Forecast Ski and King Snow, Stutt understands the pulse of the sport. His task is to ensure that XC Whistler functions not just as a team, but as an extension of the legendary terrain and culture of the Whistler region.
Chronology: Building the XGL Infrastructure
The formation of the XGL Winter Clubs is the culmination of a rapid, high-stakes development cycle that began in 2026.
- Early 2026: The launch of the MoonPay X Games League (XGL) is announced, introducing a year-round, team-based structure to action sports.
- Summer 2026: The inaugural Summer Season commences, featuring four clubs and reaching 18.3 million U.S. television viewers—a staggering 78.5% increase over 2025 viewership numbers.
- August 2026: XC New York secures the first-ever XGL Summer Championship in New Orleans, defeating XC Tokyo in a nail-biting, 10-point finish.
- August 13, 2026: The official announcement of the four Winter GMs and the confirmation of XC Whistler as the fourth founding club.
- September 16, 2026: The inaugural XGL Winter Draft at Cosm Los Angeles.
- January 2027: The debut of the Winter Season in Aspen, Colorado.
Supporting Data: Why the Team Model Works
The success of the 2026 Summer Season serves as the primary data point for the league’s confidence in the team-based format. With an 18.3 million viewer reach across ABC and ESPN, the "team identity" model proved that fans are willing to engage with consistent, season-long narratives rather than isolated, single-weekend competitions.
The financial model is equally compelling. The league is designed to expand compensation opportunities for athletes. By moving away from purely prize-purse-dependent earnings, the XGL introduces a salary and team-bonus structure, allowing athletes to focus on long-term progression rather than the "all-or-nothing" pressure of a single contest run.
Jeremy Bloom, CEO of X Games, highlighted the strategic shift during the press announcement: "For the first time in X Games history, someone has to build a championship roster, not just produce a championship run. That makes the GM role incredibly important. Jonny, Dave, Haze, and Ryan each bring deep credibility with athletes, real roots in these sports, and a different point of view on how to build a winning club."
Official Perspectives: The Vision for 2027
Each GM expressed a distinct philosophy regarding the upcoming draft.
Dave Sypniewski (XC New York) emphasized the importance of squad depth: "Success won’t come from one superstar. It’ll come from putting together a club with the right mix of talent, versatility, and competitive mindset."
Sharalee “Haze” Hazen (XC Park City) focused on the athlete experience: "Our goal is to create an environment where athletes feel supported, authentic stories emerge naturally, and XC Park City becomes a team people connect with on and off the snow."
Ryan Stutt (XC Whistler) echoed the demand for excellence: "The expectation here is excellence, and that’s exactly how we’ll approach the X Games League. We’re committed to creating a culture that attracts elite athletes, embraces progression, and competes for championships."
Implications for the Future of Action Sports
The launch of the XGL, and specifically the Winter Season, represents a fundamental shift in how action sports are consumed and monetized. By assigning athletes to specific clubs with geographic identities (Golden State, New York, Park City, Whistler), the league is creating a "tribal" dynamic that encourages fan loyalty.
Expanding the Market
The inclusion of major market names like "New York" alongside traditional mountain hubs like "Whistler" and "Park City" is a deliberate attempt to broaden the demographic reach of skiing and snowboarding. While the sports have traditionally been insular, the XGL’s broadcast partnership with major networks suggests an aggressive push toward mainstream American sports culture.
A New Era for Athlete Careers
The shift toward a team-based model also addresses the perennial issue of career longevity in action sports. By creating a structure where teams are responsible for the development, marketing, and performance of their athletes, the XGL provides a safety net that was previously absent. Athletes are no longer solitary contractors; they are members of a franchise, which provides a clearer path for sponsorships, brand partnerships, and media appearances.
The Cosm Los Angeles Draft
The selection of Cosm Los Angeles for the September 16 draft is a statement of intent regarding the league’s commitment to technology and fan experience. By offering "Superfan" tickets to witness the selection process in an immersive, shared-reality environment, the XGL is positioning itself at the forefront of the "experiential sports" movement.
Conclusion: The Road to Aspen
As the industry turns its gaze toward the September 16 Draft, the pressure is squarely on the four General Managers. The choices made in Los Angeles will define the power dynamics of the 2027 winter season. Will XC New York successfully translate their summer dominance to the snow? Can Jonny Moseley’s experience in the mountains of California lead to an immediate title? Will the culture-focused approach of Haze and the grit of Stutt create new dynasties?
One thing is certain: the era of the individual athlete as the sole unit of competition is ending. In its place, the X Games League is forging a future where the team is the primary unit of account, and the story of the season is as important as the height of the jumps. As the snow begins to fall in the coming months, the XGL will be ready, with a new structure, new leadership, and a new championship to claim in Aspen.
For fans looking to be part of this evolution, the journey begins in Los Angeles. For the athletes, the opportunity to redefine their careers under the XGL banner has never been more tangible. The 2027 Winter Season promises to be the most significant development in action sports history, marking the point where the sport officially entered the modern era of professional league competition.
