Professional Bull Riders

Professional Bull Riders
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Name	Professional Bull Riders
Founded	April 1992
Founders	Ty Murray, Cody Lambert, Tuff Hedeman, Jim Sharp, Clint Branger, Bobby DelVecchio, Wacey Cathey, Brett Berg
Headquarters	Pueblo, Colorado, U.S.
Key people	Sean Gleason (CEO)
Website	pbr.com

Professional Bull Riders. It is a global professional organization dedicated to the sport of bull riding, operating as a separate entity from traditional rodeo. Founded in 1992 by a group of 20 riders seeking greater control and financial opportunity, it has grown into a major international sports league. The organization sanctions hundreds of events annually across several competitive series, culminating in a world champion crowned each season.

History

The organization was formed in April 1992 in a hotel room in Scottsdale, Arizona, by a group of riders led by Ty Murray, Cody Lambert, and Tuff Hedeman. Dissatisfied with their share of prize money and recognition within traditional rodeo governed by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, they invested $1,000 each to create a standalone bull riding circuit. The first standalone event was held in Anaheim, California, in 1993. Significant growth followed, including a landmark television deal with Fox Broadcasting Company in 2002 and the acquisition by IMG in 2007. In 2015, WME-IMG and a group of investors including Dustin Murray purchased the organization, leading to further global expansion and the establishment of its headquarters in Pueblo, Colorado.

Competition format

The primary competition involves a rider attempting to stay mounted on a bucking bull for eight seconds, using only one hand gripped in a flat braided rope. Riders are scored from 0-100 by two judges, with half the points awarded for the rider's performance and half for the bull's effort and difficulty. The main tour, the PBR Unleash The Beast, features a structured season where riders earn points based on event finishes to qualify for the PBR World Finals. Other series include the PBR Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour and international circuits like PBR Australia and PBR Brazil. The PBR Team Series, launched in 2022, introduces a team-based format with franchises such as the Arizona Ridge Riders and Texas Rattlers.

Major events

The premier event is the PBR World Finals, held annually to crown the PBR World Champion and PBR World Champion Bull. Historically held in Las Vegas, Nevada, at venues like the Thomas & Mack Center and T-Mobile Arena, the finals moved to Fort Worth, Texas, in 2022. Other significant standalone events include the PBR Global Cup, an international team competition, and the PBR Monster Energy Buck Off at the Garden in New York City. The organization also hosts major PBR Challenger Series events and the PBR World Finals: Unleash The Beast which concludes the premier series season.

Riders and champions

The sport has produced iconic figures such as J.B. Mauney, a two-time PBR World Champion known for his aggressive style, and Chris Shivers, the first rider to earn $1 million in career earnings. Other notable multi-time champions include Silvano Alves, Justin McBride, and Jose Vitor Leme. Adriano Moraes won the inaugural world title in 1994. Legendary bulls are also celebrated, with Bodacious and Little Yellow Jacket being inducted into the PBR Ring of Honor. Riders compete for the prestigious PBR Rookie of the Year award and the season-long PBR World Finals event average title.

Animal welfare and safety

The organization maintains a detailed Animal Welfare Policy and employs a team of veterinarians and livestock directors, including co-founder Cody Lambert, to oversee bull care. All bulls are inspected before events, and rules mandate their use is limited. The PBR Sports Medicine Program provides immediate medical care for riders, with sports medicine teams and paramedics on site. Safety equipment for riders includes protective vests and helmets, though their use is optional for those over 18. The PBR Bull Team Challenge also incentivizes stock contractors for the care and performance of their animals.

Media coverage and popularity

Television coverage has been a cornerstone of growth, with long-term partnerships with CBS Sports, Fox Sports 1, and RidePass on DAZN. Major events are broadcast internationally, including on Rede Globo in Brazil. The organization's popularity surged with the documentary series The Last Cowboy and video games like PBR: Out of the Chute. Its digital presence is strong through PBR.com and social media platforms. The sport attracts major corporate sponsors such as Monster Energy, Pendleton Whisky, and Tractor Supply Company, and has expanded its audience through the PBR Team Series broadcast on CBS.

Category:Professional Bull Riders Category:Rodeo organizations Category:Sports leagues established in 1992