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X Games League Winter Draft: 40 Elite Athletes Selected for Four New Clubs

By September 19, 2026
3 min read 2 views
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the athletes of the Ukrainian national Deaflympics team, which won 19 medals at the 20th Winter Deaflympics in the Turkish city of Erzurum. The Head of State awarded the games winners and medalists, thanks to whom Ukraine for the first time took the top spot in the overall team medal tally and won a record number of medals. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that he was honored to congratulate Ukrainian athletes today. "You add pride to Ukraine, the opportunity to be proud of people, the strength of Ukrainians, and powerful Ukrainian achievements," he said. The President pointed out that such results contribute to bringing attention back to Ukraine during difficult times of war, especially when it is somewhat out of focus. "And everyone who earns respect for the Ukrainian character and the Ukrainian state helps us all. They help the people to endure. They help our fighters on the front lines in the fight for our independence," said the Head of State. The President congratulated the athletes and their coaches on this extraordinary victory. "Despite all the difficulties, you managed to achieve the top spot for Ukraine. And it's hard to overestimate how important it is today. How important it is for Ukraine to have victories. Because that one victory, for which our boys and girls are sacrificing their lives on the front lines, and the great victory that will surely come, it consists of such important days, such victories as the one you have achieved," he said. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, such a historic result at the Deaflympics is another proof of how strong our athletes and Ukrainians are, and how the Ukrainian character prevails over any challenges and circumstances. "I thank all of you for your will to win, for your ability to overcome difficulties, for all the respect that your results have brought to all Ukrainians, to the Ukrainian flag, to the Ukrainian people. I am extremely proud of you. Glory to Ukraine!" concluded the President. Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the athletes with Orders of Merit of І-ІІІ class, Orders of Princess Olga of ІІ-ІІІ classes, and the medals "For Labor and Valor." The champion of the 20th Winter Deaflympics, Yelizaveta Nopriienko, thanked the Head of State for supporting the athletes. "Thank you for personally congratulating us. We have all done everything possible and impossible to win. I thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the government for the opportunity to train and show the best results," she said. The athletes presented the President with a hoodie from the uniform of the national Deaflympics team. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also awarded the coaches of the team with the Order of Princess Olga of ІІ class, medals "For Labor and Valor," and bestowed the honorary title of "Honored Worker of Physical Culture and Sports of Ukraine" upon them, recognizing their significant personal contribution to the development of the Deaflympics movement, the training of international-class athletes, and the achievement of high sports results at the 20th Winter Deaflympics. The Order of Merit of І class was also awarded to President of the Ukraine Deaf Sports Federation Leonid Kasitskyi. At the 20th Winter Deaflympics, the Ukrainian team, consisting of 36 athletes, won 10 gold, five silver, and four bronze medals, which is eight more medals than in the previous games. Thus, the Ukrainian team became the world leader in the overall team medal count for the first time in the number of gold medals. In men's and women's events, Ukrainian athletes won 11 medals (six gold, three silver, and two bronze), while in team events, they won eight medals (four gold, two silver, and two bronze). The national Deaflympics team of Ukraine in skiing demonstrated the best result, winning 13 medals (seven gold, four silver, and two bronze) and taking first place in the overall team ranking. In curling, Ukrainian athletes won for the first time among the 11 strongest teams and earned two gold and one bronze medals. In the discipline of mixed doubles curling, athletes Mykhailo Pleskanka and Kateryna Yakymets defeated the team from the Republic of Korea in the final match and won the gold medal. The chess team won one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal and took second place in the overall team medal count among 16 participating countries. The women's team won gold in the classical chess games, while mixed teams won silver and bronze medals.
The President awarded Deaflympics athletes who won the overall team medal count at the Winter Games for the first time since Ukraine's independence. · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

The inaugural X Games League (XGL) winter draft concluded on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the professionalization of action sports. The event brought together the world’s top talent in skiing and snowboarding, resulting in the formation of four distinct professional clubs.

Overview of the First-Ever Winter Draft

According to reporting from Forbes, the draft served as the foundational step for the new X Games League structure. The primary objective of the event was to distribute the highest-caliber athletes across the league’s four franchises, ensuring competitive balance and establishing the initial rosters for the upcoming season.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the athletes of the Ukrainian national Deaflympics team, which won 19 medals at the 20th Winter Deaflympics in the Turkish city of Erzurum. The Head of State awarded the games winners and medalists, thanks to whom Ukraine for the first time took the top spot in the overall team medal tally and won a record number of medals. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that he was honored to congratulate Ukrainian athletes today. "You add pride to Ukraine, the opportunity to be proud of people, the strength of Ukrainians, and powerful Ukrainian achievements," he said. The President pointed out that such results contribute to bringing attention back to Ukraine during difficult times of war, especially when it is somewhat out of focus. "And everyone who earns respect for the Ukrainian character and the Ukrainian state helps us all. They help the people to endure. They help our fighters on the front lines in the fight for our independence," said the Head of State. The President congratulated the athletes and their coaches on this extraordinary victory. "Despite all the difficulties, you managed to achieve the top spot for Ukraine. And it's hard to overestimate how important it is today. How important it is for Ukraine to have victories. Because that one victory, for which our boys and girls are sacrificing their lives on the front lines, and the great victory that will surely come, it consists of such important days, such victories as the one you have achieved," he said. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, such a historic result at the Deaflympics is another proof of how strong our athletes and Ukrainians are, and how the Ukrainian character prevails over any challenges and circumstances. "I thank all of you for your will to win, for your ability to overcome difficulties, for all the respect that your results have brought to all Ukrainians, to the Ukrainian flag, to the Ukrainian people. I am extremely proud of you. Glory to Ukraine!" concluded the President. Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the athletes with Orders of Merit of І-ІІІ class, Orders of Princess Olga of ІІ-ІІІ classes, and the medals "For Labor and Valor." The champion of the 20th Winter Deaflympics, Yelizaveta Nopriienko, thanked the Head of State for supporting the athletes. "Thank you for personally congratulating us. We have all done everything possible and impossible to win. I thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the government for the opportunity to train and show the best results," she said. The athletes presented the President with a hoodie from the uniform of the national Deaflympics team. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also awarded the coaches of the team with the Order of Princess Olga of ІІ class, medals "For Labor and Valor," and bestowed the honorary title of "Honored Worker of Physical Culture and Sports of Ukraine" upon them, recognizing their significant personal contribution to the development of the Deaflympics movement, the training of international-class athletes, and the achievement of high sports results at the 20th Winter Deaflympics. The Order of Merit of І class was also awarded to President of the Ukraine Deaf Sports Federation Leonid Kasitskyi. At the 20th Winter Deaflympics, the Ukrainian team, consisting of 36 athletes, won 10 gold, five silver, and four bronze medals, which is eight more medals than in the previous games. Thus, the Ukrainian team became the world leader in the overall team medal count for the first time in the number of gold medals. In men's and women's events, Ukrainian athletes won 11 medals (six gold, three silver, and two bronze), while in team events, they won eight medals (four gold, two silver, and two bronze). The national Deaflympics team of Ukraine in skiing demonstrated the best result, winning 13 medals (seven gold, four silver, and two bronze) and taking first place in the overall team ranking. In curling, Ukrainian athletes won for the first time among the 11 strongest teams and earned two gold and one bronze medals. In the discipline of mixed doubles curling, athletes Mykhailo Pleskanka and Kateryna Yakymets defeated the team from the Republic of Korea in the final match and won the gold medal. The chess team won one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal and took second place in the overall team medal count among 16 participating countries. The women's team won gold in the classical chess games, while mixed teams won silver and bronze medals.
The President awarded Deaflympics athletes who won the overall team medal count at the Winter Games for the first time since Ukraine's independence. · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Key Facts from the Draft

  • Event Type: First-ever X Games League winter draft.
  • Date: Wednesday (as reported in September 2026).
  • Athletes Selected: 40 total skiers and snowboarders.
  • Number of Clubs: Four Winter X Games League (XGL) clubs.
  • Disciplines: Skiing and Snowboarding.

Structural Implications for the League

The selection of 40 athletes to be divided among four clubs suggests a roster size of approximately 10 players per team, assuming an equal distribution. This structure mirrors traditional team sports models, moving away from the individual-only competition formats that have historically defined the X Games. By organizing athletes into clubs, the league is likely aiming to foster team dynamics, sponsorships, and a more sustainable business model for professional action sports.

Competitive Landscape

The draft involved the “world’s top skiers and snowboarders,” indicating that the league has secured access to elite-level talent. This is a critical factor for the league’s credibility and commercial viability. The presence of top-tier athletes ensures that the competition will be at the highest possible standard, attracting both fans and media attention.

Business and Market Context

While the provided evidence focuses on the draft results, the establishment of a league with club-based rosters signals a shift in how action sports are commercialized. The X Games League appears to be adopting a structure similar to other major professional leagues, where teams serve as the primary commercial entities. This approach can facilitate long-term athlete development, consistent fan engagement, and diversified revenue streams through team-specific branding and merchandise.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the athletes of the Ukrainian national Deaflympics team, which won 19 medals at the 20th Winter Deaflympics in the Turkish city of Erzurum. The Head of State awarded the games winners and medalists, thanks to whom Ukraine for the first time took the top spot in the overall team medal tally and won a record number of medals. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that he was honored to congratulate Ukrainian athletes today. "You add pride to Ukraine, the opportunity to be proud of people, the strength of Ukrainians, and powerful Ukrainian achievements," he said. The President pointed out that such results contribute to bringing attention back to Ukraine during difficult times of war, especially when it is somewhat out of focus. "And everyone who earns respect for the Ukrainian character and the Ukrainian state helps us all. They help the people to endure. They help our fighters on the front lines in the fight for our independence," said the Head of State. The President congratulated the athletes and their coaches on this extraordinary victory. "Despite all the difficulties, you managed to achieve the top spot for Ukraine. And it's hard to overestimate how important it is today. How important it is for Ukraine to have victories. Because that one victory, for which our boys and girls are sacrificing their lives on the front lines, and the great victory that will surely come, it consists of such important days, such victories as the one you have achieved," he said. According to Volodymyr Zelenskyy, such a historic result at the Deaflympics is another proof of how strong our athletes and Ukrainians are, and how the Ukrainian character prevails over any challenges and circumstances. "I thank all of you for your will to win, for your ability to overcome difficulties, for all the respect that your results have brought to all Ukrainians, to the Ukrainian flag, to the Ukrainian people. I am extremely proud of you. Glory to Ukraine!" concluded the President. Volodymyr Zelenskyy awarded the athletes with Orders of Merit of І-ІІІ class, Orders of Princess Olga of ІІ-ІІІ classes, and the medals "For Labor and Valor." The champion of the 20th Winter Deaflympics, Yelizaveta Nopriienko, thanked the Head of State for supporting the athletes. "Thank you for personally congratulating us. We have all done everything possible and impossible to win. I thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and the government for the opportunity to train and show the best results," she said. The athletes presented the President with a hoodie from the uniform of the national Deaflympics team. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also awarded the coaches of the team with the Order of Princess Olga of ІІ class, medals "For Labor and Valor," and bestowed the honorary title of "Honored Worker of Physical Culture and Sports of Ukraine" upon them, recognizing their significant personal contribution to the development of the Deaflympics movement, the training of international-class athletes, and the achievement of high sports results at the 20th Winter Deaflympics. The Order of Merit of І class was also awarded to President of the Ukraine Deaf Sports Federation Leonid Kasitskyi. At the 20th Winter Deaflympics, the Ukrainian team, consisting of 36 athletes, won 10 gold, five silver, and four bronze medals, which is eight more medals than in the previous games. Thus, the Ukrainian team became the world leader in the overall team medal count for the first time in the number of gold medals. In men's and women's events, Ukrainian athletes won 11 medals (six gold, three silver, and two bronze), while in team events, they won eight medals (four gold, two silver, and two bronze). The national Deaflympics team of Ukraine in skiing demonstrated the best result, winning 13 medals (seven gold, four silver, and two bronze) and taking first place in the overall team ranking. In curling, Ukrainian athletes won for the first time among the 11 strongest teams and earned two gold and one bronze medals. In the discipline of mixed doubles curling, athletes Mykhailo Pleskanka and Kateryna Yakymets defeated the team from the Republic of Korea in the final match and won the gold medal. The chess team won one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal and took second place in the overall team medal count among 16 participating countries. The women's team won gold in the classical chess games, while mixed teams won silver and bronze medals.
The President awarded Deaflympics athletes who won the overall team medal count at the Winter Games for the first time since Ukraine's independence. · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Analysis of the Draft’s Significance

The completion of the first winter draft is a procedural victory for the X Games League. It demonstrates that the league has successfully navigated the complex process of negotiating with top athletes and their agents to secure their participation. The fact that 40 athletes were selected indicates a robust talent pool and a high level of interest from the professional community. This sets the stage for the league’s first season, where the performance of these newly formed clubs will be closely watched by stakeholders in the sports industry.

Conclusion

The X Games League winter draft has officially launched the club-based era for professional skiing and snowboarding. With 40 elite athletes now assigned to four clubs, the league is poised to compete in a new format that emphasizes team competition and structured league play. The success of this initiative will depend on the ability of the clubs to perform competitively and attract a dedicated fan base in the coming seasons.

Sources

Tagged with:
#Forbes #Skiing #Snowboarding #X Games League #XGL
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Contributing editorial staff at Office59 Magazine specializing in technology, startups, and executive strategy.

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