X GAMES LOS ANGELES 2012 TELEVISION TALENT BIOS Selema “Sal” Masekela X Games Host/Commentator Selema “Sal” Masekela worked his first X Games event in January 1999 as a snowboarding reporter during coverage of Winter X Games Three. Since that time, he has worked on every X Games and Winter X Games in a variety of capacities, including skateboarding and snowboarding host and X Games reporter. In 2001, at X Games Seven, Masekela expanded his responsibilities to host ESPN and ESPN2’s overall coverage of the event. Five months later, Winter X Games Six marked the first time Masekela hosted the winter version of the premier action sports event. In addition to the X Games and Winter X Games, Masekela has hosted the monthly EXPN 2Day series on ESPN2, ClassiX, X Center, the Tony Hawk Gigantic Skatepark Tour and X in Concert. Other ESPN assignments for Masekela have included serving as a reporter for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, sideline reporter for ESPN’s NBA games and host of ESPN The Life. From 1997-2000, Masekela worked for Fox Sports as host of Board Wild and for MTV as host for the MTV Sports and Music Festival. Masekela was a co-host on E! Network’s The Daily 10 from 2006-2010. Masekela co-founded Berkela Films in 2006. The son of South African jazz musician Hugh Masekela, Sal is an avid snowboarder, surfer and skateboarder. Keir Dillon X Center Host Keir Dillon joined the X Games telecast team in 2008 and has quickly become a fixture of both the X Games and Winter X Games telecasts. At Winter X Games Aspen 2012, Dillon served as an analyst for the Snowboard Big Air, Slopestyle, Street and SuperPipe competitions and was a host for ESPN 3D’s coverage of the event. At X Games Los Angeles 2012, Dillon will host X Center alongside Alyssa Roenigk. A leader in the snowboarding and action sports community, Keir Dillon was also a highly- decorated professional snowboarder. Dillon competed in nine Winter X Games, collecting a pair of Snowboard SuperPipe medals in the process. Dillon is the president and founder of Republic of Frends and resides with his wife in Carlsbad, Calif. Alyssa Roenigk X Center Host Alyssa Roenigk joined ESPN in 2003 as a writer for ESPN The Magazine and editor for EXPN.com. In 2008 she was promoted to senior writer, ESPN The Magazine and ESPN.com. The seasoned action sports veteran has covered multiple X Games, Winter X Games, Olympics and action sports events. After her X Games telecast debut as a host for the Winter X Games Aspen X Cast webcasts, Roenigk will make the transition to X Center host for X Games Los Angeles 2012. Roenigk is the author of The Big Jump: The Tao of Travis Pastrana. Originally from Pittsburgh, Penn., Alyssa now resides in Santa Monica, Calif. Analysts/Commentators: Tony Hawk Quite possibly the most talented athlete ever to step foot on a skateboard, Tony Hawk is also one of the most popular athletes in the world. Hawk has consistently maintained his iconic status within the core action sports community, while simultaneously leading the charge for growth of the commercial popularity for all of action sports. In addition to being the first person to land a 900 on a skateboard, Hawk has won 10 X Games gold medals, developed one of the most successful video games in history and built one of the largest brands in global sports. Hawk also has become a talented member of the X Games broadcast team and will once again join the telecast team as an analyst for the Skateboard Street, Vert and Park contests at X Games Los Angeles 2012. Jeremy McGrath Often referred to as “The King of Supercross,” Jeremy McGrath captured 10 AMA Supercross/Motocross points titles and won more than 100 races in his career. McGrath first competed at X Games in 2004, scoring gold in Step Up. He later added hardware in both SuperMoto and Moto X Racing, collecting four total X Games medals. McGrath joined the X Games broadcast team in 2007 as an analyst for the X Games Moto X Racing competition and once again will be in the booth for X Games Los Angeles 2012. This time, he will serve as an analyst for the Moto X Step Up, Best Whip, Enduro X and Speed & Style competitions. Born in San Francisco, Calif., McGrath now lives in Encinitas, Calif., with his wife Kim and daughters Rhowan and Bergen. Dennis McCoy The only BMX rider to compete in every X Games since its inception in 1995, Dennis McCoy is a true BMX legend. McCoy first turned pro in 1980, and from 1986 to 1995 he won the overall flatland/ramp title every year during a span known as “the decade of domination.” McCoy’s style is all-encompassing, and over the years he has participated in all disciplines including Vert, Park and Dirt. McCoy owns five X Games BMX Freestyle medals, earning them between 1997 and 1998. One of the biggest influences in the sport of BMX Freestyle, 2010 marked McCoy’s 25th season as a professional. McCoy will serve as the BMX Freestyle analyst for the X Games Los Angeles 2012 telecast. Keeping the streak alive, he will also compete in the BMX Freestyle Vert competition at X Games. McCoy now resides in Lee’s Summit, Mo. Kevin Robinson Kevin Robinson, also known as K-Rob, is one of the best known BMX vert riders of all time. Famous for the highest air ever achieved on a quarter pipe (27 feet), he now joins the X Games telecast team as a BMX analyst. Robinson has earned nine X Games medals, standing proudly on the X Games podium every year between 2003 and 2009. He is still the only rider to land the elusive double flair. Robinson became one of the most exciting and successful BMX athletes in history through persistence, determination and creativity. Robinson lives in Barrington, R.I., with his wife Robin and kids Shaye, Riley and Kevin Jr. Chris Pastras As a skateboarding legend, Chris Pastras began his career with his famous Shut skates throughout the New York/New Jersey area. Pastras first turned pro in 1990, landing a part in the classic “Rubbish Heap” video. He then launched his own company, Stereo Skateboards, in 1992. Pouring his heart and soul into the venture, the company took off with the help of best friend, actor and fellow skateboarder Jason Lee. When he’s not running the company, Pastras continues to log skateboarding footage throughout the streets of LA. A TV personality and well-respected artist, Pastras first joined the ESPN X Games telecast in 2010 and returns as a reporter for X Games Los Angeles 2012. Cameron Steele A familiar and well-respected name in the Moto X industry, Cameron Steele is an accomplished motorcycle and trophy truck competitor. Steele has been a fixture of the X Games telecast team for 13 years, joining ESPN as an analyst for X Games Five, when Moto X Freestyle was first added to the X Games in 1999. Since that time, Steele has worked in front of the camera for multiple networks, including ABC, while continuing to compete in a number of different disciplines. Now an X Games telecast host, Steele will provide play-by-play for all of the X Games Los Angeles 2012 Moto X events and the Hot Wheels Double Loop Dare stunt. Jimmy Coleman TV personality Jimmy Coleman has been participating in and covering action sports events for more than a decade and has made an occupation out of being the “Man on the Mic.” Originally from St. Louis, Mo., Coleman is on the road so many months out of the year that he often jokes that he “resides in hotels across America.” Having hosted numerous action sports events and demonstrations all over the world, Coleman has had the opportunity to watch and work with many of the biggest names in the industry. Coleman joined the X Games broadcast team in 2001 at X Games Six. For X Games Los Angeles 2012, Coleman will provide play-by-play for the BMX competitions alongside Dennis McCoy. Toby Moody One of the most recognized faces and voices in motorsports racing, Toby Moody has maintained a solid presence in the racing world. With his excitable, quick fire sports commentary and witty expressions, Moody has served for seven years as a TV reporter for the Paris Dakar Rally. He is in his 17th season as the play-by-play announcer for the MotoGP series on Eurosport TV and also provides play-by-play for the British Touring Car Championship for ITV Sport. His vast knowledge of motorsports and undying love for his job set him apart and continue to make him a mainstay on the air today. Moody will provide play-by-play for the RallyCross competition and the Hot Wheels Double Loop Dare stunt at X Games Los Angeles 2012. Tes Sewell Tes Sewell worked his first X Games event in the summer of 1999 as the original sport organizer for Moto X Freestyle at X Games Five in San Francisco. In 2003, at X Games 10 in Los Angeles, Sewell expanded his responsibilities to include broadcast analyst. Since that time, he has worked on every X Games and Winter X Games in a variety of capacities, including as a Moto X analyst and reporter, Rally Car analyst and Snowmobile analyst and reporter. Sewell will serve as the Moto X analyst at X Games Los Angeles.