South Point Casino Equestrian Center – Las Vegas, NV: All indications are that the 2018 WSTR Finale will exceed the $11 Million total payout of 2017. NEW to the 2018 World Series event, will be the #14 Finale, estimating a $1Million payout. The #14 is a switchover from the #15, and like the #8, also enjoyed a 22% growth rate during the 2018 season. The #15 and Open divisions will still have World Series Qualifier events taking place in the outdoor arena at the South Point Casino property during the Finale. The #8, which began as an experimental division just a few years ago, grew a whopping 22% over the season with over 400 teams expected; and the #9 and #10 Finales will have a combined payout of close to $5Million!!
Also NEW this year to the Finale event, is the partnership between the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) and AIM’s Equine Group (Active Interest Media). The PBR will represent TV and digital media rights for the AIM the WSTR Finale. This partnership will benefit the WSTR Finale by featuring the exciting competition for millions of dollars on RidePass. This quote was taken from the October 18th WSTR Press Release regarding the PBR partnership:
“We are excited to leverage the expertise of PBR and the greater Endeavor network to contribute to growth for AIM and the sport of team roping, broadening access and storytelling through digital, streaming and TV coverage,” said Tom Winsor, SVP Equine, AIM. “This new relationship will benefit nearly 40,000 Team Roping competitors through expanded exposure.”
WSTR founder Denny Gentry has set a goal to have each of the seven divisions payout over $1Million – and he’s well on his way – despite the naysayers. He continues to direct growth by making the necessary “tweeks” to the format and schedule, as needed. This year’s event will run an extra day through Sunday, December 16, due to the growth in the #8 and #9 Finales.
The WSTR Finale will take place at the South Point Casino Equestrian Center in Las Vegas, Nevada December 8-16; coinciding with the 2018 National Finals Rodeo, which will be taking place at the Thomas and Mack Center December 6-15. Admission to the WSTR Finale is FREE. Yes, free to watch some of the best ropers in the nation, competing to win combined prize money of well over $12Million, in seven divisions. And, the South Point Equestrian Center is also hosting a Christmas Trade Show, featuring hundreds of unique, western vendors and stage performances by various country western artists.
Live viewing of the NFR will be available at the South Point Casino in several areas; and don’t forget the Montana Silversmiths Go Round Buckle Presentations, in the South PointCasino Dance Hall nightly, directly after each NFR performance, starting December 6th.
Photos courtesy of World Series of Team Roping Facebook
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