BOULDER, Colo. (October 6, 2026) — In a strategic move signaling its aggressive evolution from a series of marquee events into a global, year-round sporting powerhouse, the X Games today announced the appointment of Steve Rogers as Chief Operating Officer. Rogers, a seasoned veteran with over 15 years of leadership in the sports and entertainment sector, joins the organization at a pivotal juncture as it scales the newly minted MoonPay X Games League (XGL) and expands its international footprint.
Strategic Leadership for a New Era
The addition of Rogers to the X Games executive suite is designed to bolster the operational backbone of the organization. As the X Games transitions into a team-based, seasonal format, the complexity of managing global logistics, broadcast requirements, and multi-market commercial partnerships has grown exponentially.
Rogers arrives with a pedigree of navigating complex, high-stakes sports environments. Most recently, he served as the COO of World Supercross, where he played a central role in orchestrating the operations of a global championship. His appointment is widely seen by industry analysts as a move to bring "institutional-grade" management to the world of action sports—a sector that has historically relied on fragmented event-based models but is now shifting toward a centralized, professionalized league structure.
Chronology of an Industry Transformation
To understand the significance of Rogers’ arrival, one must look at the rapid transformation of the X Games brand over the past several years, particularly following its acquisition by private equity firm MSP Sports Capital.
- Pre-2023: X Games operates primarily as a standalone, episodic event series, relying on historical prestige and athlete-centric, non-team competition.
- 2023-2024: MSP Sports Capital initiates a strategic overhaul, focusing on digital infrastructure, media rights, and long-term brand equity, laying the groundwork for a structural pivot.
- 2026 (Early): The official launch of the MoonPay X Games League (XGL). This marked a fundamental shift, introducing an eight-club model (four summer, four winter) that assigns athletes to teams, fostering geographic loyalty and consistent, season-long narratives.
- 2026 (October 6): Steve Rogers is appointed as COO to provide the operational rigor necessary to sustain the XGL’s growth, manage the transition to a winter-inclusive schedule, and oversee international market entry.
- 2027 (Projected): The XGL is slated to expand into full-scale winter competition, integrating snow sports into the team-based, season-long format pioneered during the summer season.
The Operational Mandate: A Deep Dive
Steve Rogers’ role will be multi-faceted, requiring him to bridge the gap between creative sports production and rigorous business administration. His background is unique, characterized by a rare combination of legal training and hands-on operational management.
Before his tenure at World Supercross, Rogers spent nearly a decade with the Nitro Circus brand, an organization that revolutionized the delivery of live action sports. At Nitro Circus, he was instrumental in scaling a touring business that bridged the gap between traditional action sports and high-octane motorsport entertainment. His experience spans the entire spectrum of the industry, including his work with Nitro World Games, Nitro Rallycross, and Street League Skateboarding.
At X Games, his mandate is clear:
- Scale Global Infrastructure: Ensure that the XGL’s operational capacity can handle an increasing number of international stops without compromising the quality of the fan experience or athlete safety.
- Streamline Commercial Integration: Work with sponsors—such as title partner MoonPay—to ensure that commercial activations are seamless across broadcast, streaming, and live event channels.
- Governance and Policy: Utilizing his legal background to refine the regulatory environment of the league, ensuring fairness, safety standards, and clear competitive guidelines for the new team-based model.
Official Responses and Strategic Vision
The appointment has been met with enthusiasm from the X Games leadership, who view Rogers as the "missing piece" in their puzzle of professionalization.
"X Games is in a period of significant global growth," said Jeremy Bloom, CEO of 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 his part, Rogers emphasized the unique nature of this moment in the history of action sports. "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," Rogers stated. "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 the MoonPay X Games League (XGL)
The shift to a team-based league structure is not merely a branding exercise; it is an economic transformation of the industry. Historically, athletes in action sports were reliant on prize money and individual sponsor deals, creating a volatile financial existence. The XGL model, by design, introduces:
- Predictable Revenue Streams: Teams allow for deeper sponsorship integration and long-term brand partnerships that are not tied to a single podium finish.
- Season-Long Storylines: By moving away from episodic events, the league allows for rivalries and team narratives to develop over months, increasing audience retention across broadcast platforms like ABC, ESPN, and Disney+.
- Market Expansion: With the winter 2027 expansion, the league creates a year-round asset for broadcasters and streaming platforms, ensuring that the X Games brand remains top-of-mind for 12 months of the year.
The inclusion of the Roku Sports Channel, YouTube, and Kick as distribution partners further highlights the league’s intent to capture a digitally native, younger audience, while the traditional broadcast footprint on ABC and ESPN ensures credibility and broad reach.
About the Stakeholders
X Games
As the premier action sports brand, the X Games has successfully transitioned from a summer festival vibe to a sophisticated global property. Featuring elite athletes in skateboarding, BMX, skiing, snowboarding, and Moto X, the brand now reaches millions across its diverse digital, broadcast, and live ecosystems.
MSP Sports Capital
The driving force behind the recent structural changes is MSP Sports Capital. Founded by Jeff Moorad and Jahm Najafi, the firm leverages experience from the highest levels of professional sports—including the NBA, NFL, F1, and European football—to modernize the X Games. Their philosophy focuses on "influential positions" and "differentiated returns," suggesting that the current growth of the XGL is only the beginning of a larger long-term strategy to consolidate action sports under a professional, corporate-backed umbrella.
Conclusion: A New Standard
The appointment of Steve Rogers is a clear indicator that the "startup" phase of the X Games’ new era is complete. The organization is now moving into a phase of consolidation and scaling. By hiring a COO with a proven track record in global operations and complex league management, X Games is positioning itself not just to survive in the changing landscape of sports entertainment, but to define it. As the league looks toward the 2027 winter season, the industry will be watching to see how Rogers’ operational expertise translates into the continued growth of the MoonPay X Games League.
