X Games launches team-based league, draws stars like Eileen Gu

The X Games have launched the X Games League, the world’s first team-based, co-ed action sports league. The top 40 skateboarders and BMX racers were drafted to four teams representing LA, New York, São Paolo and Tokyo. Jeremy Bloom said the new format shifts the focus from nationality and “looks much more like the NHL or the NBA.” Bloom, who became the youngest male freestyle skier to make the U.S.

Olympic team at 15 and won 11 World Cup gold medals before playing for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006, stressed the value of a team environment. “You don’t have to play in the NFL to appreciate how special it is to be a part of a team that accomplishes your biggest goals,” he said, adding that many action sports athletes have never had the chance to be on a team, compete across multiple stops and vie for a championship.

The league also changes the economics for competitors.

x games, action sports, team league, team-based, skateboarders, bmx racers, jeremy bloom, eileen gu, são paolo, draft