Jeremy Bloom has competed in the Olympics, played college football and the NFL, founded and sold enterprise software companies, and now leads one of action sports’ most recognizable brands. As CEO of the X Games, he is applying that experience to a broader vision for the future of sports ownership, athlete empowerment and technology.
Bloom joins Portfolio Players to discuss how he is transforming the X Games from a collection of individual competitions into a global league with team franchises, local rivalries and athlete investors. He explains why the organization chose a city-based model spanning markets such as New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and São Paulo, and how franchise owners can help build local identities, develop new audiences and create additional revenue opportunities.
The conversation also explores the economics behind the league’s new model. Bloom explains why he believes the right private equity partners can help grow a sports property rather than simply cut costs, how the X Games is investing in its athletes, and why the organization introduced salaries, health insurance stipends and travel support for competitors. He also discusses the impact of the MoonPay title sponsorship and how brands can move beyond traditional advertising to create more meaningful partnerships.
Bloom shares his broader views on sports investing and the professionalization of college athletics. Drawing on his experience at the University of Colorado, where he sued the NCAA over restrictions on his ability to compete in Olympic skiing while playing college football, he argues that college sports needs a more cohesive governing structure and a business model focused on long-term value creation. He also explains why he believes private equity can help unlock new revenue streams across college football and basketball.
The conversation also covers Owl AI, Bloom’s company focused on applying artificial intelligence to sports judging and officiating. He explains how the technology was used to evaluate snowboarding at the X Games and how it could eventually provide real-time insights, improve officiating and expand access to elite coaching around the world.
Beyond the business of sports, Bloom reflects on his career of reinvention, the importance of remaining willing to learn, and Wish of a Lifetime, the nonprofit he founded to help older adults fulfill meaningful experiences and reconnect with loved ones.
Portfolio Players, presented by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, explores how institutional capital, cultural momentum, technology and strategic ownership are redefining the business of sports.
