But as early as 2000 ratings for the vert contests have
have gone down and ratings have dropped significantly every year over the last
4 years. Sponsors such as Red Bull and
Vans have pulled out
and ESPN fully stand behind their choice to replace
it with a “super park” saying it was verts time to go.
The Call To Save Vert…
A lot of industry pros are standing up for X Games vert.
Skaters like Andy Macdonald are pushing to keep it and have
cited the events format as a possible cause in the down slide of ratings.
Macdonald has said the contests needs more skating action to keep the interest
peaked and to keep the entire thing feeling less like a “Golf game” with far
too many breaks in the action.
Many skaters and fans alike want to keep the event around and
are hoping to get bigger ramp contests involving new super ramps such as the
“Mega Ramp”. Many fear without the support of the X Games this evolution of
Vert skating will be stunted. Along with the progression of vert only tricks
and the sport as a whole.
Time to go?...
Other Skaters and industry leaders agree with ESPN,
even if it’s with a heavy heart. Some see the decision as merely an attempt to
stay ahead of the curve and the introduction on the super park as a way to
push the limits of skateboarding and skate contests. For now the X Games will
have to wait and see if the super park pays off and is a positive influence on
the sport.
The future of vert is unknown at this point. If this is another mini death
for the sport it wont be the 1st.Vert has been forced underground a number of
times over past decades. There has been a decline in vert ramps at parks and
many feel it will be going back to private warehouses and backyards.
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