X Games Club Golden State Signals a New Era for Winter Action Sports
The MoonPay X Games League (XGL) continues to build momentum ahead of its inaugural 2027 Winter Season with the announcement that its Bay Area/Lake Tahoe franchise has officially been sold to a new ownership group led by entrepreneur and investor Jonathan Turner.
The club will compete as X Games Club Golden State (XC Golden State), becoming the sixth team to join the league as X Games edges closer to completing its founding ownership lineup.
While the announcement is another significant business milestone for X Games, it also represents something much bigger for the skiing and snowboarding community.
A Home for One of Action Sports’ Most Influential Regions
Northern California has long been one of the world’s most important destinations for winter action sports.
From the legendary terrain parks and resorts surrounding Lake Tahoe to the innovation and creativity synonymous with the Bay Area, the region has produced generations of elite skiers, snowboarders, brands and industry pioneers.
Now, for the first time, that heritage will have its own professional team competing on the global X Games stage.
The new ownership group plans to blend the entrepreneurial energy of Silicon Valley with Lake Tahoe‘s deep mountain culture, creating a club capable of competing for championships while representing one of the sport’s most passionate communities.
More Than Just Another Team
The launch of XC Golden State highlights how the X Games League is evolving beyond traditional individual competition.
Instead of athletes simply competing for personal medals, the new league introduces a city- and region-based franchise model where athletes represent clubs throughout the season.
The concept brings new opportunities for winter athletes through:
- Team championships
- Guaranteed athlete salaries
- Expanded athlete benefits
- Multi-million-dollar prize purses
- Long-term team identities that fans can rally behind
This marks one of the biggest structural changes skiing and snowboarding have seen in decades.
Building the Future of X Games
X Games CEO Jeremy Bloom believes the Golden State club is perfectly positioned to represent one of action sports’ spiritual homes.
“Northern California has helped shape action sports for generations. From the mountains of Lake Tahoe to the innovation and creativity of the Bay Area, few regions have had a greater influence on the athletes, brands and culture that define our industry today.”
Bloom added that the new ownership group will play a major role in helping shape the future of the X Games League.
Jonathan Turner shares that vision.
“We aim to showcase the talent of the exceptional X Games athletes and bring the excitement and passion for action sports to fans around the world. The Bay Area and Lake Tahoe have been central to the development of action sports and it’s essential that the communities of Northern California have their own team to support.”
Eyes on the 2027 Season
Attention now shifts to the inaugural XGL Winter Draft, scheduled for 16 September in Los Angeles, where XC Golden State will make the first overall selection.
The draft will begin assembling what promises to be one of the strongest collections of skiing and snowboarding talent ever brought together under a professional team format.
With additional club announcements expected in the coming months, excitement continues to build around what could become a transformative chapter for winter action sports.
Rather than simply adding another competition to the calendar, the X Games League is attempting to reshape how elite skiers and snowboarders build careers, connect with fans and represent their communities.
For athletes, it offers greater stability and long-term opportunities.
For supporters, it creates lasting club identities.
And for the sport itself, XC Golden State is another sign that winter action sports are entering a bold new era where regional pride and world-class competition collide.
