• Loading stock data...
Monday, February 10, 2025

PBR Looks To Bring Back Fans To Events In July

  • The PBR was one of the first U.S. professional sports leagues to return to live action on April 25.
  • It has had to “cut every expense that is non-critical to the operation here, because we don’t have any fan revenue.”
Photo credit: Matt Breneman

The Professional Bull Riders was one of the first U.S. sports leagues to return to live action during the coronavirus pandemic. Now it also wants to be one of the first to bring fans back as well.

PBR CEO Sean Gleason said on Front Office Sports’ digital interview show Fundamentals that the organization is planning to have fans back at its events in July.

“We’re planning right now to be be back bucking bulls in July. The question is where and how many fans can we have in the building that we go into,” Gleason said. “We have some very specific plans that I can’t divulge the details of today, but we will be back in front of fans in July.”

The PBR suspended its competitions after holding an event on March 15 in front of alongside nearly all of professional sports.

However, it has since returned, holding its “Unleash the Beast” competition on April 25 and 26. It also held the Cooper Tires Invitational on May 9 and 10.

Those events were held at the Lazy E Ranch in Guthrie, Oklahoma in front of no fans. The PBR instituted several protection measures for the athletes and staffers involved, including significant testing and screening, reducing the size of worker groups, making everyone wear masks, and housing everyone on-site in socially distanced trailers.

PBR is scheduled to host another event in Guthrie before moving to Las Vegas, Gleason said. The organization is expected to make an additional announcement soon regarding its additional events.

Typically, the PBR takes a break over the summer. However, this year it will roll out a new format that will see it continue holding events in the next several months and that will be televised live, Gleason said.

Gleason said the PBR has had to “cut every expense that is non-critical to the operation here, because we don’t have any fan revenue,” referencing money from tickets, concessions, and merchandise.

However, PBR does have a media rights deal with CBS, which is “its biggest audience,” Gleason said. “We miss our fans here, but it’s still important that we get these events done.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Feb 1, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; The Canadian flag is passed along during the National Anthem prior to start of game between the Minnesota Wild and the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.

Canadian Fans Boo U.S. National Anthem Over Trump Tariffs

Trump imposed a 25% tariff on most Canadian goods.

PWHL ‘Takeover Tour’ Sets Attendance Record in Denver

The league aims to expand to eight teams for the 2025–2026 season.
Sep 21, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Marshall Thundering Herd running back Ethan Payne (28) dives in for the touchdown during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory

Portal-Depleted Marshall Bows Out of Independence Bowl

Louisiana Tech (5–7) will take Marshall’s place.
exclusive

Talor Gooch Using LIV Golf Fortune to Start Building Sports Empire

The golfer has made more than $43 million individually from LIV.

Featured Today

Brady and Mahomes

Chiefs Fatigue Is Real. It’s Nowhere Near Patriots Hate Yet

People who have covered both teams say the difference is stark.
Nov 24, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) celebrates with running back Saquon Barkley (26) after the Eagles defeat the Los Angeles Rams during the first half at SoFi Stadium.
February 7, 2025

How the Eagles Reinvented Championship Roster Construction

Philadelphia is one of the most innovative franchises in the NFL.
February 3, 2025

‘Ultimate Throwback’: The Unimpeachable Cool of Hartford Whalers Gear

Nostalgia and street cred have driven a consistent frenzy for merch.
January 20, 2024; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Kristin Juszczyk, wife of San Francisco 49ers fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), before a 2024 NFC divisional round game against the Green Bay Packers at Levi's Stadium.
February 1, 2025

The New WAGs: Sports Wives Building Business Empires

Athletes’ wives and girlfriends are bucking stereotypes and cashing in.
FIFA

Saudis Awarded 2034 World Cup in Uncontested Vote

Saudi Arabia was the only option after Australia decided not to bid.
May 20, 2024

Top Sports Business Jobs This Week (May 2024)

Each week, our staff combs through the thousands of job listings from…
The stands at the Solheim Cup
September 13, 2024

LPGA Apologizes for Solheim Cup Fan Bus Debacle That Left Stands Half-Empty

The USA-Europe women’s team golf event teed off Friday morning.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
October 3, 2022

Real Madrid President Renews Call for Super League

Real Madrid’s president believes that soccer is losing ground.
August 10, 2022

PGA Tour Touts Projected Earnings to Keep Players

The PGA Tour is asking its players to consider their potential futures.
August 10, 2022

Bayern Munich to Make Growth Push in U.S. Market

Bayern Munich is looking to expand its reach in the U.S.
Nintendo-logo
August 3, 2022

Nintendo Profits Underwhelm, Switch Sales Decline

Nintendo failed to meet expectations in the company’s latest earnings report.