Friday, April 11, 2008

C List Pro Claims Boycott Saved Vert


Six days after announcing that skateboarding and BMX vert would no longer be part of the X Games, ESPN announced Wednesday that it has changed its mind. The popular disciplines will be part of X Games 14 this summer in Los Angeles

After ESPN announced its decision last week, skateboarders threatened to boycott the Big Air discipline. Big Air features riders swooping down a 60-foot ramp at speeds approaching 40 mph, clearing a 55-foot gap, then skating up another 27-foot ramp.

Asked if he thought the skaters' threatened boycott impacted ESPN's decision, longtime pro vert skateboarder Andy Macdonald of Pacific Beach said, “I think it was the factor that got 'em to take a look at it.”