X Games

How is everyone playing it? Is it a big deal in your 'hood? As big as ESPN would like us to think?

 

Ah yes, the annual "how do you cover the X Games?" thread.

Briefs. If that.

 

I've decided to go with it. Even ran a picture last night. ALWAYS INSIDE, but we are going with it this year more than just briefs.

 

This is yet another case of newspapers refusing to change with the times. Why can't a summer sports section have a story that isn't about baseball, golf or motor racing? I don't know what the X Games ratings are, but I can say there are plenty of teenagers and twenty-somethings who love it, watch it and talk about it. No, it's not the Olympics. Yes, the sports and terminology are weird. But, it does deserve a half page with photos in a large section. Do a feature each day and just put the results in a roundup. It deserves our attention.

 

Does AP move a X Games feature each day?

 

What are its Nielsen numbers? And who's actually watching it?

I don't know anybody in ESPN's target demo who actually watch it. Whenever I've asked kids about it (trying to "form a relationship" as noted on the J board), they say they're not particularly interested in it.

So where is all this alleged youth interest? Is it only in marketers' minds?

 

youre forming relationships with traditional sport teens, if you're referencing the other post I think you are. Of course they aren't into it. The X-games appeal to so many teens is that it isn't traditional.

And while I'm not saying I have blind faith in ESPN's marketing, I would be willing to bet they, and the tons of returning corporate sponsors have some research showing they are getting a response. Too many pissed off shareholders and board rooms if they weren't getting some successful response.

That said, I'm keeping them inside, but my paper will cover the games.

 

Get use to it. BMX is in the 2010 Olympics.

 

I wouldn't run X-Games stories with a gun to my head.

They're. Not. Sports.

 

How aren't they sports? Athleticism required... competition with other humans... a winner at the end... Why isn't it a sport? Because you didn't grow up with it?

 

Do you run World Series of Poker stories since AP is moving a daily story and a glance box every day? ESPN is probably the single biggest reason for how poker got to be so big today.

 

Well, then, golf and auto racing aren't sports either.