X Games 17 Schedule: Action Sports Are Anything But “Fringe” Culture

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The 2011 X Games will take place from July 28th through July 31st.

Obviously this is a huge event in the extreme sport community, and even though it might seem “fringy”, I can all but guarantee you that it is not.

Check out some of the coverage numbers and ratings via ESPN, it will boggle your mind!

X Games 16 coverage was viewed by 35.4 million people in the U.S. during the four-day event, which includes all live and repeat X Games 16 telecasts. Outside the United States, X Games 16 was delivered to more than 382 million homes and was broadcast live to 175 countries and territories, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Israel, Latin America, Mexico, Middle East and New Zealand. The X Games 16 total attendance was 138,525 -- an increase of 24 percent from 2009. Total hours consumed on ESPN3.com, ESPN's 24/7 sports broadband network, during X Games 16 was up 238 percent compared to the prior year. Through two weeks of X Games 16 coverage (July 25-Aug. 7), ESPN.com/Action generated more than 1.3 million visits and nearly 2 million video starts, up 30 percent and 27 percent, respectively. Additionally, page views on the mobile website were up 36 percent compared to the same period last year. The X Games Channel on YouTube also had its most-trafficked week ever, with Saturday alone (July 31) registering a record nearly half-million video views.

At one point and times sports like skateboarding and BMX may have been seen as hobby’s that a majority of parents around the United States disapproved of. Action sports were shoved aside to the “punk” genre, and the general stigma was more about goofing off and getting in trouble than it was being a real sport.

I’m here to assure you that it has never been the case, and that action sports are extremely legitimate.

These aren’t your parents X Games! These are the real deal.

Just break down those numbers real quick if you need proof of my point! 35.4 million people in the United States tuned in last year! 175 countries and a 24 percent attendance increase!?

Those are ridiculous numbers, but they do a lot to accurately describe the status of action sports.

These aren’t ho-hum sports that deserve to be thought of as “fringy” or unique. They are exploding into the U.S. and world sports culture.

If you don’t believe me, tune in! You might realize you’re just a tad bit late to the party.

For more coverage of X Games 17 keep it locked to Bleacher Report's Action Sports Page for up-to-date news and analysis.

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