LAS VEGAS (Dec. 11, 2007) -- The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s Dodge Xtreme Bulls Tour presented by B&W Trailer Hitches rides into 2008 with a national schedule that will continue to bring the excitement of PRCA bull riding to millions of fans with national coverage on ESPN and ESPN2, according to Winnercomm chairman Gordon Whitener, who made the announcement today during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas.
The 2008 tour will feature 10 events scheduled throughout the year across the U.S. and will conclude with two performances in Indianapolis at the annual FFA Convention in October.
In 2008 the Dodge Xtreme Bulls Tour will have a combined purse of $520,000. Money earned on the Dodge Xtreme Bulls Tour counts toward ProRodeo Cowboys World Standings, which determine Wrangler NFR qualifiers.
The 2008 schedule is as follows:
Date Rodeo Venue
Jan. 25-26 Rapid City Xtreme Bulls Rushmore Plaza Civic Center
Jan. 31 San Antonio Xtreme Bulls AT&T Center
Feb. 16 San Antonio Xtreme Bulls AT&T Center
March 18 RodeoHouston Xtreme Bulls Reliant Stadium
April 12-13 Laughlin Xtreme Bulls Laughlin (NV) Events Center
June 19 Reno Xtreme Bulls Reno (Nev.) Rodeo Arena
July 5 Cody-Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls Cody (Wyo.) Stampede Rodeo Arena
Aug. 30 Ellensburg Xtreme Bulls Ellensburg (Wash.) Rodeo Arena
Oct. 24 FFA Special Edition Pepsi Coliseum (Indianapolis)
Oct. 24 Tour Finale Pepsi Coliseum (Indianapolis)
The Oct. 24 Indianapolis events are a special exclusive two-performance show for students and advisors attending the 2008 National FFA Convention. Dodge Xtreme Bulls will continue its partnership with FFA to enhance awareness of that organization’s education and career programs.
“We’ll be recognizing and promoting the FFA at each 2008 Dodge Xtreme Bulls Tour stop and with special television coverage,” said Whitener. “It’s a natural alliance. Many of our bull riders were FFA members. Through the FFA, we’re introducing a large group of young people to the excitement of PRCA rodeo and bull riding.”
Whitener noted that an important part of continuing to build the Xtreme Bulls franchise is presenting the tour to appeal not only to the traditional rodeo fan base, but to attract new and younger fans to rodeo as well. A key element in building a new audience for bull riding is the ESPN and ESPN2 television coverage. Both ESPN and ESPN2 reach over 93 million U.S. households each.
Eight-time World Champion Bull Rider Donnie Gay returns to anchor the analysis duties for the telecasts.
“Our 2007 champ Kanin Asay will return to lead a terrific group of bull riders in the 2008 tour,” said Gay. “The Xtreme Bulls is such a good thing for these guys. It's a great time to be a bull rider. I love the format, and I know for a fact these guys love the format.”
National sponsors of the Xtreme Bulls Tour include Dodge, B&W Trailer Hitches, AT&T, Wrangler, Bully Dog Technologies, Montana Silversmiths and Justin Boots.
Winnercomm, America’s largest independent sports production company, owns the licensing rights to the PRCA’s Xtreme Bulls Tour through 2008. For more information on the 2008 Dodge Xtreme Bulls Tour, visit www.xtremebulls.com.
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