January 17, 2008

Winter X Games 12 to Feature First-Time $1 Million Prize Purse

Largest Purse Awarded For Any Winter Multi-Action Sporting Event Total 2008 Global X Games Prize Purse to Exceed $3,000,000

More than 250 athletes from around the globe in the sports of skiing, snowboard and snowmobile will be competing at Winter X Games 12 for a million dollars in prize money, the first million dollar purse in X Games history. Medalists will see the largest increase, with first-place finishers receiving 50 percent more than last year. With the

overall purse for Winter X Games 12 increased by 38 percent from last year, the total prize purse for all X Games events to be held in 2008 now exceeds $3 million. This year, X Games events will be held in Aspen, Shanghai, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Dubai and two other international markets which will be announced soon.

"ESPN is committed to ensuring that the best action sports athletes in the world compete on action sports' grandest stage - the X Games," said Rick Alessandri, senior vice president and managing director, X Games franchise. "As the X Games continues its global expansion, we look forward to working with the athletes to bring the best in action sports to all parts of the globe as well as to discovering new and upcoming athletes."

Shaun Palmer will be competing in the Snowboarder X competition as the oldest snowboarder to compete in the history of Winter X Games at the age of 39. "This year will be my 10th X Games, and it gets better every year," said six-time Winter X Games gold medalist, said Palmer. "It's good to see the prize money in action sports match the caliber of talent."

The second and final wave of invited athletes was also announced today. For the complete, updated list of Winter X Games 12 athletes, log on to http://www.expn.com. The event will air live from Buttermilk Mountain at Aspen/Snowmass, Colorado, January 24-27, 2008 on ESPN and ABC. *PLEASE NOTE: The invited athlete list is constantly being updated and is subject to change.

Buttermilk Mountain at Aspen/Snowmass will continue to host the Winter X Games through 2010. The event includes day and evening competitions and is free to the public.

About ESPN's X Games Franchise

ESPN first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. As part of ESPN Content Development, the X Games, Winter X Games and All Access are just some of the original action sports programming currently shown on ESPN and ESPN2. In addition to the two U.S.-based events, ESPN has held X Games competitions and demonstration events around the world, including Dubai, Thailand, Brazil, Mexico, Korea, Malaysia, China and Spain. The global franchise has also expanded its reach to EXPN.com, the definitive site for action sports fans, and to consumer products such as X Games bikes, protective gear, skateboards and DVDs.