Additional Live Competition Exclusively on ESPN3 and Streaming on the ESPN App
X Games Minneapolis 2017 will receive extensive coverage across multiple television and digital platforms July 13-16, as the world’s best action sports athletes make their debut at U.S. Bank Stadium in Downtown Minneapolis, to compete for X Games gold and prize money. ESPN and ABC will televise a combined 18.5 hours of live X Games Minneapolis 2017 coverage, which will also be accessible via the ESPN App to viewers who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.
For the first time ever, ESPN’s X Games, in collaboration with Samsung Electronics, will bring selected live events to fans in immersive virtual reality at the inaugural X Games Minneapolis, July 13-16.Three X Games disciplines – Skateboard Vert, BMX Street and Skateboard Street Amateurs – will be streamed live exclusively to 48 countries on Samsung Gear VR platforms and the Samsung VR app.
Additional coverage of sports and music will be carried on the ESPN App as well as the latest coverage across ESPN digital platforms, including XGames.com, the X Games app, and X Games pages across YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. Following X Games Minneapolis 2017, ABC will deliver four hours of anthology programming on Sunday, July 23 as part of the World of X Games series.
By enhancing and adding dimension to the X Games viewing experience through digital and social offerings, fans will have the opportunity to watch all the action, get an inside look at the event and establish a two-way conversation with X Games, athletes and other viewers.
In addition to all of the content on ESPN’s U.S.-based media platforms, X Games Minneapolis will be televised globally in 210 countries and territories to more than 504 million homes, including live coverage in Australia, Canada, Caribbean, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Latin America, Middle East, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, France, Spain and Africa.
Television
The X Games Minneapolis 2017 telecast officially kicks off on ESPN, Thursday, July 13, with the Harley-Davidson Flat Track Racing Round 1, Last Chance Qualifier and Final at 9 p.m. ET. The four-day event will conclude on Sunday, July 16, with Fruit of the Loom BMX Dirt and Toyota Men’s Skateboard Park Finals, beginning at 1 p.m. on ABC and then beginning at 3 p.m. on ESPN, the Toyota Men’s Skateboard Park, Dave Mirra’s BMX Park Best Trick and The Real Cost Moto X QuarterPipe High Air Finals.
Leading live action sports production company, Echo Entertainment, will again work with ESPN to provide live coverage of X Games Minneapolis. With a focus on both the action sports and lifestyle elements of X Games, Echo Entertainment will continue to help deliver a new format rich in in-depth athlete profiles and features highlighting the action sports lifestyle in addition to the live event coverage.
On-Air Talent
Host:
A professional snowboarder, entrepreneur, filmmaker, music festival producer and aspiring musician, Jack Mitrani (@JackMitrani) will return to host X Games Minneapolis. Getting his start producing comedic skits with fellow snowboarders, musicians and celebrities, Mitrani has made a name for himself through producing and starring in original content for his channel, Frendly Presents, and he is also co-owner and producer of the successful Frendly Gathering music festival. A graduate of Stratton Mountain School, Mitrani competed in four X Games events before taking his talents to the telecast booth.
Mitrani will be complemented by a collection of action sports athletes and personalities providing analysis and play-by-play coverage. He will captain the X Games Minneapolis coverage from a host set, which will be the central hub for interviews and the world’s top action sports athletes, musicians, filmers, photographers and personalities.
Host Set Contributors:
- Craig McMorris (@craigmcmorris) McMorris joined the X Games telecast team in 2015 and is a professional snowboarder and member of the Shred Bots. McMorris got his broadcast break for CBC during the Sochi Winter Olympic Games, where he announced the Snowboard Slopestyle and Halfpipe events. Craig is known for a quick wit and will be producing a variety of skits that will air as part of the television coverage.
- Dianna Dahlgren (@diannadahlgren) Hailing from the action sports mecca of Temecula Valley, California, Dahlgren grew up surrounded by motors. At 19 years old, Dahlgren was selected as Miss Monster Energy Supercross. The longest standing Miss Supercross, Dahlgren took on the role of live announcer for Monster Energy Supercross in 2010. Dianna will be a regular contributor on the host set, along-side Jack Mitrani.
Commentators/Analysts:
- Brandon Graham – Skateboard (@brando_graham) Graham returns to the X Games Minneapolis 2017 telecast team as play-by-play commentator for all Skateboard events. A part of the X Games team since 2013, Graham has provided skateboard play-by-play for the summer events, X Games Aspen and broadcast duties for the World of X Games serieson ABC.
- Chris Miller – Skateboard (@owlcat) A professional skateboarder, entrepreneur, creative director, product designer and media executive who has had a successful and diverse career in the action sports industry for over 20 years, Miller will provide analysis for Skateboard Vert, Men’s Park and Big Air competitions.
- Gary Rogers – Skateboard (@gcode_tb4l) A newcomer to the X Games telecast team, Rogers will provide analysis for the Men’s and Amateur Skateboard Street competitions. Beginning his on-air career with a satirical online skateboarding news program called Skateline, Rogers is an uber fan of skateboarding who offers unapologetic commentary on the space.
- Lyn-z Pastrana – Skateboard (@Lynzskate) Considered one of the top female skateboarders in the world, Lyn-z Pastrana will provide analysis for the Women’s Skateboard Park and Street competitions. An eight-time X Games medalist, Pastrana is a three-time X Games Vert gold medalist.
- Jimmy Coleman – BMX (@jcnomad13) TV personality Jimmy Coleman has been participating in and covering action sports events for more than a decade and has made an occupation out of being the “Man on the Mic.” Coleman joined the X Games broadcast team in 2001 at X Games Six and will provide play-by-play for all BMX competitions in Minneapolis.
- Kevin Robinson – BMX (@krobbmx) Driven and passionate in every aspect of his life, Kevin Robinson returns as a BMX analyst for Vert and Big Air. A true BMX legend, Robinson has made many contributions to BMX over his career and took his victory lap at X Games Los Angeles 2013, as he retired from a long and storied career at age 41.
- Scotty Cranmer – BMX (@scottycranmer) Cranmer will provide analysis for the BMX Dirt, Park, Street and Dave Mirra Best Trick competitions. Starting his career as a BMX racer, Cranmer quickly realized his love of Freestyle. Competing in his first Freestyle competition in 2003, he beat out the best in BMX en route to one of the most stellar rookie years in BMX history – ultimately going on to take nine X Games medals including three gold.
- Cameron Steele – Moto X (@dessertassassins) A familiar and well-respected name in the Motocross industry, Cameron Steele is an accomplished motorcycle and trophy truck competitor, with victories as a Baja 1000 winner, multiple-time Parker 400 and Mint 400 winner and a 2010 short course series champion. Cameron will provide play-by-play for all Moto X events.
- Mike Mason – Moto X (@Mike_Mason81) Making his X Games telecast debut in Minneapolis, Mason will provide analysis for the Moto X Freestyle, Best Whip, Best Trick, QuarterPipe High Air and Step Up competitions. Beginning his career as a Motocross racer, Mason’s Arenacross background made his speed and tricks tough to beat en route to four X Games Speed & Style gold medals.
- Scott Deubler – Flat Track (@scottiedeubler) Deubler returns to the X Games telecast team at X Games Minneapolis. Deubler is a third generation flat-track racer who raced on the professional circuit for nearly a decade. In 2002, he began his career in announcing for events including Monster Jam (2003-2009), Toughest Monster Truck Tour and Monster Nation.
Reporters:
- Brian Kachinsky – BMX (@bkachinsky) Making his debut as part of the X Games broadcast team in Minneapolis, Kachinsky is a scholar of the streets. The University of Wisconsin graduate is known for his gnarly yet technical brand of street riding. Brian is a world traveler, having grinded handrails around the globe and explored the streets of over 35 countries.
- Corbin Harris – Skateboard (@corbinharris) A TV personality and professional skateboarder, Corbin Harris began his professional career at the age of 15, when he earned himself a spot on the legendary Vert-X team in Sydney, Australia. At 19, Corbin began his career in broadcasting, with a job at action sports network, FuelTV.
- Cristy Lee – Moto X (@cristylee09) Returning for her third year as part of the X Games telecast team, Lee will provide reporting for the Moto X events. Born and raised in Daytona Beach, Florida, cars, motorcycles and racing have always been a big part of her life. Best known for her hosting work, Lee currently hosts an all-female automotive how-to show, “All Girls Garage.”
- Victoria Arlen – Virtual Reality (@arlenv1) Arlen will return to the X Games telecast team as a reporter for all disciplines being filmed in virtual reality – Fruit of the Loom Skateboard Vert, BMX Street and Amateur Skateboard Street. In addition to her duties with the X Games and Special Olympic World Games, Arlen is also involved with espnW and SportsCenter.
X Games Minneapolis 2017 telecast schedule is as follows:
| DATE/TIME | NETWORK | COMPETITIONS |
| Thursday, July 13 | ||
| 6 – 6:30 p.m. | ESPN3 | Fruit of the Loom BMX Vert Final |
| 6:45 – 7:45 p.m. | Samsung VR | Fruit of the Loom Skateboard Vert Final |
| 9 – 11 p.m. | ESPN | Harley-Davidson Flat Track Racing Rd. 1 / LCQ / Final |
| 11 p.m. – 12 a.m. | ESPN3 | Fruit of the Loom Skateboard Vert Final |
| Friday, July 14 | ||
| 1:30 – 5:30 p.m. | ESPN3 | Fruit of the Loom BMX Dirt Qualifier
America’s Navy Skateboard Big Air Qualifier Monster Energy Men’s Skateboard Street Qualifier |
| 2 – 3 p.m. | ESPN2 | Fruit of the Loom BMX Dirt Qualifier |
| 6 – 7 p.m. | Samsung VR | BMX Street Final |
| 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. | ESPN3 | Women’s Skateboard Street Final |
| 9 – 11:30 p.m. | ESPN | The Real Cost BMX Big Air Final
Pacifico Moto X Freestyle Final |
| 11:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. | ESPN3 | BMX Street Final |
| Saturday, July 15 | ||
| 1 – 3 p.m. | ABC | Toyota Men’s BMX Park Final
LifeProof Moto X Step Up Final |
| 3 – 6 p.m. | ESPN | LifeProof Moto X Step Up Final
America’s Navy Skateboard Big Air Final |
| 6 – 6:30 p.m. | Samsung VR | Amateur Skateboard Street Final |
| 7 – 11 p.m. | ESPN | Monster Energy Men’s Skateboard Street Final
Women’s Skateboard Park Final Moto X Best Whip Final Monster Energy Moto X Best Trick Final |
| Sunday, July 16 | ||
| 1 – 3 p.m. | ABC | Fruit of the Loom BMX Dirt Final
Toyota Men’s Skateboard Park Final |
| 3 – 6 p.m. | ESPN | Toyota Men’s Skateboard Park Final
Dave Mirra’s BMX Park Best Trick The Real Cost Moto X QuarterPipe High Air Final |
| Sunday, July 23 | ||
| 1 – 5 p.m. | ABC | Anthology (TAPED) |
*Times and events listed are Eastern Time (ET) and are subject to change.
Please consult your local listings.
X Games Headquarters (XHQ)
The X Games Minneapolis telecast will feature a new X Games host set – XHQ – serving as a cultural hub to discuss and explore relevant topics to the action sports community with top X Games athletes, musical talent and featured artists.
Digital
X Games Minneapolis 2017 digital platforms include:
XGames.com
XGames.com will provide onsite coverage from Minneapolis with live results, video of competition runs and full-bleed photo galleries shot by the best creative talent in the action sports industry.
X Games Minneapolis App
The free app, which is compatible with iPhone and Android, puts the world’s premier action sports event right at your fingertips, making it easier than ever to access schedules, view the event map and keep up with the top names and hottest news coming out of Minneapolis. Fans can also purchase tickets straight from the app.
ESPN App
Over the four days, the ESPN App will stream live content from ESPN and ESPN Deportes on computers, smartphones, tablets and connected devices. The ESPN App is available to more than 90 million households nationwide in the U.S. at no additional cost to fans who receive their video subscription from an affiliated provider.
Social Media
Stay connected to X Games Minneapolis 2017 and join the conversation using #XGAMES!
Don’t forget to check out the X Games Minneapolis 2017 Social Media sites for instant event updates, competition results, live video and more!
Twitter: @XGames
Instagram: @XGames
Snapchat: xgames
For more information on X Games Minneapolis, go to www.xgames.com.
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Media Contacts:
Danny Chi, ESPN Communications, 213-405-4400; danny.c.chi@espn.com
Olivia Wilson, ESPN Communications, 213-405-4145, olivia.wilson@espn.com
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