ESPN X Games and Dubai Event Management Corporation to Host the World’s
Richest Multi-Action Sports Event

$2.5 Million Prize Purse to be Awarded to Athletes

ESPN and Dubai Event Management Corporation (DEMC) have formed a five-year collaboration to host the world’s richest singular, multi-sport, action sports event. There will be a 2.5 million dollar prize purse – a record for X Games and the action sports industry – and X Games medals distributed to the athletes. The event will be held December 11-13, 2008 in Dubai, UAE. The Dubai X Games World Cup will bring together ESPN’s world-class X Games franchise with the local expertise of DEMC. 

Competitions will include Skateboard and BMX Street, Skateboard and BMX SuperPark, Moto X Racing, Freestyle and SuperMoto, along with a new X Games event that is well known in Dubai –ATV Enduro. The Dubai X Games World Cup will also feature local instructional clinics by professional athletes and regional qualifying events for specific sports.

Saeed Al Muntafiq, Executive Chairman of Dubai Event Management Corporation, said: “Building on the vision of Dubai’s Leadership to create and host unique live events to enhance the Dubai Experience. At the same time introduce sports events to address the demand of action sports fans in the region in order to encourage Emarati talent to compete in extraordinary sports on a world class standards platform.  Our aim is to strengthen our association with this exciting & increasingly popular event, which has become recognized in many circles as the Action motor Sports Olympics.”

“We are pleased to bring X Games to Dubai where the event is greatly embraced by the fans and where the athletes love to come," said Rick Alessandri, ESPN managing director, X Games franchise. In 2008 ESPN will take the X Games to Brazil, Mexico, China and the U.S. We are thrilled that we will end the year in Dubai with the richest X Games of them all. It is our pleasure to contribute to the continued growth of action sports in the region.”

Richard Attias, CEO, Dubai Event Management Corporation, said: “Having ESPN as a partner in one of our flagship events shows that Dubai Event Management Corporation is already one of the key players in the event industry. Dubai X Games World Cup will also set the stage for hosting more such high-visibility games that will successfully spotlight Dubai on the global sporting landscape.”

ESPN will produce 5 hours of original programming from Dubai. TV Coverage in the region will be extensive, with in-depth coverage on the ESPN family of channels available through ART as well as other TV channels throughout the region and around the globe.

ABOUT ESPN’s X GAMES FRANCHISE

ESPN, The Worldwide Leader in Action Sports, first developed its X Games franchise in 1995. Part of ESPN Content Development, 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 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.

ABOUT DUBAI EVENT MANAGEMENT CORPORATION

Dubai Event Management Corporation; established by a decree issued by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in March 2008; was mandated to create, manage and organize live events in the fields of sports, arts & culture, exhibitions, conferences and entertainment in the region; as well as establishing the standards for these events in the emirate, specifically with sports and conferences.

Launched by H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, the President of Dubai Event Management Corporation, it will introduce major new initiatives and strike international alliances with sports and cultural organizations, while working towards attracting conferences and exhibitions to the emirate. In addition, it will also develop and own unique international events in diverse industries.

The Dubai Event Management Corporation will seek to build credibility as a calendar and event management institution in Dubai and around the world. It will target the international markets while setting new benchmarks, as well as identifying and facilitating new key events with widespread public appeal. In addition to acting as a sports and cultural events owner, the corporation will also be an effective service provider for large-scale events.

Details and a list of scheduled athletes for ESPN X Games Dubai will be forthcoming on www.dubaixgames.com for the public and www.espneventmedia.com for media.

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