BOULDER, Colo. (October 6, 2026) — In a strategic maneuver designed to accelerate the international expansion of its burgeoning year-round competition model, the X Games organization today announced the appointment of Steve Rogers as its new Chief Operating Officer. Rogers, a seasoned executive with over 15 years of high-level experience in global sports, entertainment, and live event production, steps into the role at a pivotal moment for the brand. As X Games pivots from its traditional event-based roots to the team-based, seasonal structure of the MoonPay X Games League (XGL), Rogers will oversee the operational architecture required to sustain this ambitious global footprint.
The Strategic Mandate: Scaling the X Games Ecosystem
The appointment of Rogers is not merely a personnel change; it is a clear signal of intent from X Games’ parent organization, MSP Sports Capital. As the brand transitions into a year-round, team-centric entity, the complexity of managing logistics, international broadcast rights, athlete contracts, and regional partnerships has increased exponentially.
Rogers enters the C-suite with a mandate to streamline operations, optimize the delivery of live events, and solidify the commercial foundation of the MoonPay X Games League. His arrival comes on the heels of the successful 2026 Summer Season, with the organization now turning its sights toward the inaugural Winter Season scheduled for 2027.
Professional Chronology: A Career Built on Action Sports
Steve Rogers’ career path serves as a roadmap for the modern action sports executive. His professional journey has been defined by his ability to bridge the gap between niche, high-adrenaline athletic competition and massive, commercialized global properties.
- Early Foundations: Rogers began his career with a legal background, providing him with the analytical framework necessary to navigate the complex contract law and intellectual property landscapes inherent in professional sports.
- The Nitro Circus Era (2010s): For nearly a decade, Rogers was a linchpin at Nitro Circus. During his tenure, he played a vital role in transforming a touring stunt show into a global multi-media powerhouse. He was instrumental in the execution of the Nitro World Games and the launch of Nitro Rallycross, projects that required a blend of technical expertise and logistical mastery.
- The Thrill Sports Leadership: His time at Thrill Sports, the parent company of Street League Skateboarding (SLS), allowed Rogers to refine his skills in league management. By helping standardize the competition format for professional skateboarding, he gained the experience necessary to oversee the transition of the X Games into a formal, structured league.
- World Supercross (WSX): Most recently, Rogers served as Chief Operating Officer for World Supercross. In this role, he was responsible for the international championship’s global operations, ensuring that high-speed, high-stakes motorsports events could be delivered consistently across disparate international markets.
The MoonPay X Games League: A New Paradigm
The launch of the MoonPay X Games League (XGL) in 2026 marked the most significant shift in the brand’s 30-plus-year history. Traditionally, the X Games functioned as a series of high-profile, standalone events—the "Olympics of action sports"—where athletes competed for individual medals.
The XGL replaces this fragmented approach with a cohesive, team-based ecosystem. Featuring eight distinct Clubs—split evenly between summer and winter disciplines—the league prioritizes long-term storylines over single-event outcomes.
Why Structure Matters
For years, the primary critique of action sports was the lack of "season-long" narrative. Fans would tune in for a weekend in Aspen or Southern California, but the engagement cycle was fleeting. By implementing a league structure, X Games is attempting to mirror the success of traditional sports leagues like the NBA or Formula 1.
- Geographic Identity: Clubs are designed to foster local fanbases, encouraging regional loyalty.
- Extended Compensation: The team-based model provides athletes with recurring salary structures, shifting the financial burden away from a "win or go home" prize-money model.
- Cross-Platform Integration: With distribution across ABC, ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+, Roku, YouTube, and Kick, the league is positioned to capture a multi-generational audience, from traditional cable viewers to digital-native streamers.
Official Commentary and Visionary Leadership
The decision to bring Rogers into the fold was driven by Jeremy Bloom, the CEO of X Games. Bloom, himself a decorated athlete and businessman, recognizes that the transition from a media-event brand to a league operator requires a specific type of operational discipline.
"X Games is in a period of significant global growth," Bloom stated during the announcement. "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."
For Rogers, the move represents a return to his professional "home."
"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 noted. "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 for the Industry
The appointment of an executive with Rogers’ specific profile—legal expertise combined with operational experience in motorsports and action sports—carries several implications for the future of the industry.
1. The Professionalization of Action Sports
For decades, the action sports industry operated with a "freelance" mentality. The X Games, under the direction of MSP Sports Capital, is clearly signaling that the future lies in professionalized structures. This includes standardized safety protocols, uniform officiating, and consistent broadcast production values that satisfy major television network requirements.
2. Global Market Penetration
By hiring someone with a track record in international championships (like World Supercross), X Games is signaling that its growth will not be confined to North America. Future event calendars are likely to see an increase in European, Asian, and Middle Eastern host markets, leveraging the infrastructure of the XGL to establish a permanent presence in these regions.
3. Financial Sustainability and Sponsorship
The MoonPay sponsorship, which graces the title of the league, suggests a willingness to embrace new-age commercial partnerships. Rogers’ task will be to ensure that the "on-the-ground" product delivers the value that these sponsors expect. If the XGL can demonstrate a consistent, year-round viewership, it will open the door for more blue-chip sponsors to enter the action sports space, further legitimizing the industry.
Conclusion: A New Era
The addition of Steve Rogers to the X Games leadership team is a strategic reinforcement of the company’s vision. By marrying the raw, authentic culture of skateboarding, BMX, and freestyle motocross with the rigorous operational standards of a global sports league, X Games is positioning itself for a new era of dominance.
As the brand prepares for the 2027 Winter Season, the industry will be watching closely to see how Rogers navigates the intersection of creative, "fringe" culture and corporate scalability. If successful, the MoonPay X Games League will likely serve as the blueprint for the professionalization of action sports for the next quarter-century.
About the Entities Involved
X Games
X Games remains the gold standard for action sports, consistently showcasing the world’s elite talent in skateboarding, BMX, skiing, snowboarding, and Moto X. With its transition to the XGL format, it continues to evolve its digital footprint and live engagement strategies.
MoonPay X Games League (XGL)
The XGL is the first year-round, team-based league in action sports history. By integrating geographic identity and long-term athlete contracts, the league aims to stabilize the careers of professional action athletes while providing fans with a structured, high-stakes competition season.
MSP Sports Capital
A private equity firm with a focus on sports, MSP Sports Capital provides the financial muscle and strategic oversight that enables the X Games to pursue these aggressive expansion goals. Their portfolio includes high-level investments across global sports, ensuring that X Games has the institutional knowledge to compete with the world’s largest leagues.
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