X Games picks Jeremy Bloom as new CEO

Jeremy Bloom will become the new CEO of the X Games. The ex-Olympic freestyle skier and Colorado football player will step into the executive role, the company announced Thursday.  

Over his career, the 42-year-old Bloom never got the chance to go for gold at X Games simply because the competition didn't offer his signature event, moguls.

"The opportunity to lead the X Games is more than just a professional milestone -- it's a deeply personal honor," Bloom said in a statement.

The winter X Games are scheduled to take place in Aspen next month.

"Returning to my roots in sports and action sports, in particular, feels like coming home. The X Games is an iconic brand, and I have immense admiration and respect for our athletes, who are truly the best in the world."

Bloom was a dual-sport standout, pursuing his Olympic dreams on the mogul-filled slopes and his NFL aspirations on the football field for the CU Buffaloes. Bloom got caught in the NCAA crosshairs for wanting to play both sports and to have sponsors in skiing so he could fund his Olympic quest. The NCAA denied his reinstatement to play football and still ski professionally after receiving endorsement money for his quest.

It was a different time two decades ago than it is now, where athletes can benefit from name, image and likeness.

Bloom was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2006 as a wide receiver/kick returner and had a stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers before branching out into philanthropy. In 2008, he started "Wish of a Lifetime," a foundation that has granted thousands of wishes for older adults. Two years later, he co-founded the business-to-business marketing software company Integrate and served as the company's CEO after it was acquired by Audax Private Equity. He stepped down to take over at X Games.

"We are thrilled to welcome Jeremy as the leader of X Games," said Jeff Moorad, a partner at MSP and executive chairman of X Games. "His dedication, athletic experience and proven track record of building and managing successful companies will be instrumental in continuing to elevate our X Games properties and the X Games League."

As for his discipline, moguls, not being in X Games, Bloom wrote via a text: "They don't have my sport, (asterisk)yet."