The Professional Bull Riders (PBR), Las Vegas, and the MGM have all had a long history together. When the first PBR World Finals happened in 1995, it happened right here in Las Vegas. As they grew, MGM Mirage (now MGM Resorts International) stepped up to help be the premiere sponsor, keeping the PBR World Finals in Las Vegas. As the PBR grew in popularity, they never forgot the hospitality MGM and the city of Las Vegas showed to this up and coming sport.
We found the sport and the World Finals about ten years ago and have been super fans ever since. Through the years, we met and became friends with another big fan of the PBR, Jason Hetland. Jason teamed up with The Vegas Tourist several times to be one of our reporters before striking out on his own by starting TheRodeoRoundup.com Jason and his website have become the go-to source for breaking news and coverage of both the PBR and the world of rodeo.
This year, the PBR has a new CEO, not a new face, just a new title for a man who has been around the sport a long time. Sean Gleason has been a busy man since taking over the organization. But like everything else PBR/Vegas related, he never forgot what the city has done for the sport and wanted to pay the city back. So his organization stepped up to the plate and offered to take over the rodeo for the historic Las Vegas event known as Helldorado Days. An event that has been on shaky grounds the last few years and needed some serious professional management and branding. The PBR is just the organization to do that.
The PBR will not only bring their newest signature events, The Last Cowboy Standing, but they are upholding and expanding the historical importance of the event to the city of Las Vegas. Most rodeo fans know, bull riding is linked to a long line of rodeos vitally important to the west, which the PBR has strived to honor and respect. Both events will be held at the MGM Village grounds across from the Luxor – May 13-15.
While covering the BFT PBR event in Sioux Falls last week, Jason got an unusual spare moment alone with PBR CEO Sean Gleason, to talk about his love for the PBR in Las Vegas and the importance of Helldorado Days. Plus they talk a little about the new home to the PBR World Finals (T-Mobile Arena) and the moving of the PBR BlueDef World Finals to South Point Casino in Las Vegas as well. (told you they love Las Vegas!)
What is The Last Cowboy Standing?
Last Cowboy Standing will feature the world’s Top 35 bull riding stars from Brazil, Mexico, Canada, Australia and the U.S. in a single elimination format event. To advance to the next round, they must ride their bull till they make the 8-second buzzer. Don’t make the 8 seconds? You go home. The cowboys will ride in round after round of competition until only one rider remains as the Last Cowboy Standing. He gets the points, the money and the buckle. In Vegas, it’s always about the bling!!
We Hope To See You There as we will be reporting to you live on all the usual social media channels!!
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