LAS VEGAS (January 22, 2011) – The Professional Bull Riders announced that the world’s best bull riders will compete in an elimination event in Las Vegas for the opportunity to be the “Last Cowboy Standing†and win 0,000.
The one-of-a-kind event will feature the Top 40 riders from the nationally televised Built Ford Tough Series competing against the fiercest bucking bulls. Bull riding begins at 7 p.m. PT on Apr. 16 at Mandalay Bay. Broadcast details are being finalized, and will be announced in the next few weeks.
Each of the 40 riders will ride a bull in Round 1. Those who reach 8 seconds in Round 1 will advance to the next round, where they will each ride another bull. This elimination format continues until there is only one Cowboy left, who wins the $100,000. There will be a minimum of three rounds and a maximum of five rounds
“We think that the ‘ride and you’re in’ format of this event will be very exciting, both for the riders and the fans,†said PBR Senior Vice President of Competition Jay Daugherty. “Our riders are competitive athletes, and this format allows them to compete in a different way. We’ll get to see who will be the last one to ride, and take home the $100,000.â€
Tickets for the one-of-a-kind event will be on sale Jan. 28, 2010. Tickets can be purchased at the Mandalay Bay box office, online at www.Ticketmaster.com, and by telephone at (800) 745-3000. PBR Fan Club members will be able to purchase tickets in advance beginning Jan. 26 by telephone at (800) 732-1727.
The “Last Cowboy Standing†winner will receive an additional $100,000 if the bonus is unclaimed at the Dickies® Iron Cowboy presented by WinStar World Casino on Feb. 19 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Dickies® Iron Cowboy is a bracket-style event with 24 riders competing for $200,000 – the largest one-day regular-season payout. The winner will receive $50,000, and the opportunity to win an additional $100,000 if he can ride one of the top contenders for World Champion Bull.
The BFTS makes 28 stops in 23 states, visiting 20 of the largest television markets, including the top three with New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. The season began at world-famous Madison Square Garden in New York, and will conclude Oct. 26-30 in Las Vegas with the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals and the crowning of the 2011 PBR World Champion. The World Finals are the richest bull riding event on the planet with the winner receiving the World Championship PBR Buckle and a $1 million bonus.
About the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR)
The PBR is the world’s premier bull riding organization. More than 100 million viewers annually watch over 400 hours of primetime PBR programming on VERSUS, NBC, CBS and networks around the world. The PBR has awarded over $100 million in prize money and 20 riders have earned over $1 million, including Justin McBride with $5.5 million − the most of any western-sports athlete in history. The PBR was nominated as 2010 Sports League of the Year at the Sports Business Journal Sports Business Awards, alongside the National Football League, National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball. Nearly two million fans attend Built Ford Tough Series and Touring Pro Division events each year. For more information on the PBR, go to www.pbr.com, or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TeamPBR and http://twitter.com/TEAMPBR.