Will X Games Stay in Aspen?

UPDATE: 1/22/14  ESPN announced a 5 year renewal of Winter X Games in Aspen.  X Games will compete in Aspen through at least 2019.  AspenSpin was wrong.

This week in Aspen Winter X Games is back for the 13th year in a row. Everyone in town knows that the contract between Aspen and ESPN (Disney) is set to expire after the 2014 huck fest.  Will they stay or will they go?  The emotions seem mixed.

ESPN and Aspen Skiing Company have gotten to know each other pretty well by now.  They have been in bed together for 13 straight years. The relationship between them is sort of like Godzilla vs. King Kong.  Disney has a market cap of $130 billion and Ski Co. is privately held by the Crown Family who also control General Dynamics which has a  market cap. of only $33.5 billion. The two behemoths are deep into negotiations for a renewal.  Maybe it'll happen.

The following is pure speculation on my part.  Call it an educated guess, but I don't think ESPN will renew X Games in Aspen.   Most will disagree.    I don't even know who, if anyone is bidding against Aspen. But I'm going with the rogue idea that X Games will be sending it's last nose-butter triple cork 1620 in Aspen in 2014.  Here's why;

ASPEN has NOTHING LEFT to GIVE.  

Gretchen Bleiler and Louie Vito. X Games Stars.The City of Aspen and Aspen Skiing Company have already pulled their pants down.  They've given away everything they have to give in order to keep Disney happy for 13 years.  Ski Co. has already given them Buttermilk.   RFTA brings in special busses. The City is willing to close off roads and fence in the park. Basically, we have nothing left to offer.   Disney is a gargantuan company.  "The Mouse" is used to getting what they want in Hollywood, on Wall Street and on Main Street.  For the past 13 years we've rolled out the red carpet and accommodated almost every X Games request under "the benefit of the community" jurisdiction.   It's been a good ride for both sides...but Aspen's barrels are empty. ESPN offers up "priceless" TV exposure to a younger demographic.   But Aspen has no more negotiating points to concede.  The reality is Aspen can't  help X Games get any bigger.

BEEN THERE DONE THAT.  

Change is good, so they say.  We've watched as the events and tricks and athletes and the entire spectacle has evolved.  The X Games is a huge media property now.  We witnessed Shaun White progress from a punk-a$$ teen into an international conglomerate.  X Games just seems a wee bit played out here in Aspen.  Last year X Games mis-judged their world-wide dominance.  They failed in their attempt to expand internationally holding six X events around the globe.   X Games has pulled in their horns a smidgen and are now re-focused on their original 2 event, Summer / Winter strategy. Summer X Games will be moving to Austin, Texas in 2014 after an 11 year run in L.A.  Austin beat out Detroit for Summer X Games. Detroit has 50 square miles of vacant land that they were willing to devote to X Games.  

Sal and Senior Blanco. $500 million dollars ago.The ASPEN PREMIUM.

Those of us that live here and anyone who visits realizes that everything is more expensive in Aspen. Lodging, transportation, meals, pay roll costs, security, logistics, staging, venues...everything simply costs more in Aspen.  That's not a new phenomenon, but the cost spread between Aspen and anywhere else is measurable.  The sled heads (snow mobile events are a huge part of Winter X) are not exactly shopping at Prada and Gucci. X Games core demographic might be impressed by aspirational Aspen...but does Aspen really move the needle on TV ratings and advertising rates.  I think not.

SIZE MATTERS (accessibility too) 

Aspen is not getting any bigger or any easier to get in and out of..  The unpredictable weather, the one lane drive on Highway 82 and our right-sized  Airport are constants.  In a perfect scenario, X Games needs a stadium and a major airport to satisfy their hunger for growth.  In the world of action sports...bigger is always better, right?   Aspen has style which counts for a lot...but progression dictates growth.  Last year ESPN reported that 114,500 people attended the X Games in Aspen.  That may or may not be an accurate count, but no matter what it feels as if Aspen is at capacity.  The stakes are high, this year's prize purse will exceed $1 million for the first time.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

So the town of Aspen waits.  Will they or won't they strike a deal?  Will they or won't they make an announcement at the 13th annual X Games Aspen press conference this Wednesday?

I'm not afraid to be wrong.  Aspen Ski Co. has put up a very confident front.  The City of Aspen is willing to do almost anything to placate big money.  So maybe we can pull a rabbit out of our hat and Aspen will continue to host Winter X Games moving forward  beyond 2014.  

Either way...it's been a helluva ride and some great times.

Fitty made the scene at Buttermilk in 2010.Aspen needs to appeal to the younger demographic. We use the oldest trick in the book. Sponsored Bar.

Alpen Glow: Aspen

Unusual lighting in Aspen this morning at 7.14 a.m.

An empty Penthouse, the Kardashians and a jacuzzi

Some of this might have actually happened.

My phone has been buzzing off the hook.  Paris is at the Nell.  Antonio and Melanie are in town. Kurt & Goldie are wearing new furs.  Mariah is keeping it hot in her red bikini while her dog drinks from the pool.  Elle Macpherson looks pretty good with no make-up. I don't make this sh*t up...I just document it.

After 8 years of skiing every day and partying every night I'm tired.  So I figured I would make up a good story which actually could be true.

My friend owns a big-daddy penthouse on the Hyman Street Mall. The luxury apartment sits empty 335 days a year. The other 30 days...it's da shizzle.  Mariah rented it one year for $25,000 per night...but the elevator was too slow...so she found a new pad.  Last year some Russians stayed there for 10 days and trashed the place.  This year the penthouse was still "unspoken for" for New Years.  My friend was getting nervous and I am a licensed real estate broker...so I started making a few calls.  "It's only $25K a night" I would start off my pitch... trying to make it sound cheap. "The place is siiiiick, best view in town...right near all the clubs".  A friend from L.A. said..." Is it close to Bootsy Bellows? I know a guy who might want it...text you later".

4 days later I got a call from a blocked number.  The caller identified himself simply as "Bobo, I'm interested in the penthouse".   He started grilling me about "security issues" in the building.   "Privacy is of the utmost importance here" he said.  Bobo proceeded to tell me that he represented a "very A-list celebrity family" and that I would be required  to sign an air tight NDA.  "O.K. Bobo you're not scaring me...but the price for 6 nights is $250,000 payable in advance and it's non-refundable".  Bobo indicated that the price was acceptable and e-mailed me the NDA.  I did a few numbers in my head ...let's see...250,000 x 10% = $25,000... my commish.   I signed and faxed the NDA back within minutes along with the standard rental contract for "the penthouse"  that ties the tenant up every which way but loose and includes a security bond of $100,000.   Bada bing..bada bang...we had a deal.

Bobo never identified his client...but the $250,000 wire hit Alpine Bank before noon the next day.  The leasee was an entity controlled by the #1 reality T.V. family in Calabasses, Ca.

After seeing the Wolf of Wall Street, I was laying on the couch last night fantasising about my $25k commish.  Just like the old days...I was patting myself on the back.  Of course I deserved the $25K... after all, I did make a few calls. The tenants were due to check in today.   Just then Bobo called from L.A. and he sounded upset.  Apparently his clients were under the impression that their luxury rental had "everything".  "Where's the indoor pool ?" he shouted at me.  I hesitated before I spoke..."there's no pool Bobo...but there is a jacuzzi on the roof with complete privacy and a fantastic view".  That calmed him down immediately.  "A jacuzzi on the roof" he repeated very slowly."I think I can work with that" he said trying to convince himself.   "It has a sick view?"  he asked.  "Yup...best in Aspen" I said with confidence. "O.K. let's go with it" he said. Let's go with it?  The wire had already cleared.  I thanked him and told him how disappointed I was when I learned  that Lamar and Khloe has split up and were not coming to Aspen with the rest of the gang.  Bobo had already hung up.

TIA.  This is Aspen.

Happy Holidays from AspenSpin.

First tracks on Perry's Prowl.A.Party schralping. Photo by Jeremy SwansonCarmelo getting some in Wagner Park.

Gearing up with AVSC and Gorsuch

Chaos ensues at Gorsuch for AVSC Free Ski Night. Jared stays cool.Every year in early December, kids from all over the Roaring Fork Valley fire up for their special night.   Every kid in the Valley that needs ski gear gets it courtesy of a grass roots program established by AVSC and Gorsuch...and D & E (for snowboards).   Most of these kids would not have ski gear if it weren't for the generosity of AVSC and Gorsuch.   The program originally established by "The Coach" Bob Beattie at AVSC allows about 300 kids to gear up.   It's not new gear...but it's new to them, and it's free, and it's properly fitted.   

Click 4 pix.  GEARING UP

The free ski night is one of AspenSpin's favorite events of the year.   The glowing eyes and  beaming smiles of the kids are transcendent.   The line starts forming in front of Gorsuch at 4 pm sharp.  Hundreds of pairs of boots, skis and poles are strewn about the store.   Semi-organized chaos insues for the next 3 or 4 hours as every kid is outfitted with gear for the ski season.  Jeff Gorsuch, who spear-heads the equipment giveaway siad it loud and clear... "it's all about community".   The Gorsuch staff along with several volunteers crank it up to 11 and keep the assembly line flowing.  Sizing the boots, choosing the skis and setting the bindings for 100's of thankful kids.

Next store in the Gorsuch apparel store, the AVSC staff and National Council welcomed all-time great ski racer Lasse Kjus to free ski night.  Kjus who has done and seen it all in skiing was moved by the joy and happiness on the faces of the kids...and the staff and volunteers.

Hopefully the photos capture the energy of the event.  The kids love the gear and the first class treatment dolled out by AVSC, Gorsuch abd D & E.   Personally, I think it's the best night of the year.

 Click 4 pix. GEARING UP

The whole family gets geared up at Gorsuch. Thanks to AVSC.Who needs boots....I do!!!Renie Gorsuch and Bob Beattie sharing thier love of skiing with all the kids.Reveling in the new gear and first class treatment.Almost all of the Gorsuch Family with Lasse Kjus.