Wintry Mix: ESPN Reviewing Several Bids To Host Winter X Games From '15-17

ESPN is "reviewing bids from several ski resorts hoping to host the Winter X Games" beginning in '15, according to Jason Blevins of the DENVER POST. Aspen Skiing Co.'s Buttermilk resort has a contract to host the event through '14, but it will be joined by a "collaboration of Lake Tahoe resorts in California, Utah's Park City Mountain Resort and possibly British Columbia's Whistler-Blackcomb in courting the Winter X Games" from '15-17. The company plans to "announce bid finalists early next year," with a winning venue coming in '14. ESPN's bid process "includes a clause requiring hosts to not share any information." Whistler-Blackcomb earlier this year lost to Aspen for the '13 and '14 Games, but the resort said that it "would continue to fight for the event." Aspen has hosted the Winter X Games since '02 (DENVER POST, 12/25).

HOST WITH THE MOST: In Aspen, Andre Salvail notes ESPN has signed Australia-native Ramona Bruland, a "former full-time producer and currently a freelance personality for Plum TV," to host the X Games, replacing former host Sal Masekela, who left for Red Bull Media House earlier this month. Bruland said that she got a "three-year contract with the network," though it will be assessed every year. Bruland said that she has been doing "promotional interviews for the X Games and will be featured on 'SportsCenter.'" She said, "With the new global format, with the X Games on an international platform now, five countries, six cities, they liked the Australian accent" (ASPEN TIMES, 12/27).