ESPN Cancels X Games Due to COVID-19 Pandemic

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

ESPN Friday added its July X Games competition to the list of live sports events that have been canceled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement, the sports network said: “Due to the ongoing COVID-19 concerns, X Games Minneapolis 2020 – July 17-19 – has been cancelled. The safety of the athletes, staff and spectators is our top priority, and we will continue to closely monitor the situation for all X Games events.”

The cancellation marks the first for ESPN’s X Games since the franchise -- which showcases extreme sports events -- was launched in 1994. The network did not say when or whether the games will return in 2021. 

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.