American Airlines Center to Host Event to Debut in November, 2016
DALLAS β (August 26, 2015) – The Elite Rodeo Association (ERA), an innovative new rodeo corporation created by the top rodeo athletes in the world, is proud to announce the signing of a five-year partnership with the Dallas Sports Commission and the City of Dallas to bring its World Championship to Dallas.
βProfessional rodeo needed an elite tour showcasing only the best talent in the world,β said Tony Garritano, CEO and President of the ERA. βWe believe that a regular season format, ending in its own world championship event, will be exciting for rodeo fans to follow. Fans will benefit by watching the most competitive rodeo action that the sport has to offer. Thanks to the City of Dallas, our new tour will have a tremendous home for its world championship.β
With a mission of ensuring the integrity of the sport of rodeo and to provide additional opportunities for professional rodeo athletes and industry partners, the Elite Rodeo Association, also doing business as Elite Rodeo Athletes, plans to work in cooperation with existing rodeo venues and sports arenas across North America to create a tour that will showcase the best talent in professional rodeo.
βWorld championship rodeo is coming home to the state of Texas and the city of Dallas,β said Phillip J. Jones, President and CEO of the Dallas Convention and Visitors Bureau. βBig things happen here in Dallas and we look forward to sharing our great city with rodeo fans from around the world.β
The ERA will only showcase the best rodeo athletes in the world. Currently comprised of past and present World Champions, they represent 118 World Champion titles collectively. While the current ownership includes existing top competitors, the model allows for aspiring elite rodeo athletes to participate and earn ownership in the ERA.
βBy introducing a unique concept like the ERA, it is our hope to increase the awareness of the sport of rodeo overallβ says 21-time world champion cowboy and ERA Board Member, Trevor Brazile. βEnhancing the sport of professional rodeo and helping to build something greater for the future generation rodeo cowboy and cowgirl is the goal of the ERA. We look forward to working with the entire rodeo industry.β
More on ERA Pro Rodeo
The ERA is very proud that its World Championship event will be hosted by the City of Dallas. Along with the Dallas Sports Commission, Dallas has agreed to a five-year, multi-million dollar agreement with the ERA. The inaugural ERA World Championship event is scheduled to take place at the American Airlines Center, November 9-13, 2016. The annual event will award a payout in excess of $3 million over a 5-day annual competitionβmaking this first World Championship event one of the largest payouts in rodeo history.
βThe American Airlines Center is honored to be hosting the ERA World Championship beginning in 2016,β said Dave Brown, Vice President and General Manager of the Center. βWe believe the Center will provide a great atmosphere for rodeo fans as the top rodeo athletes in the world compete in Dallas.β
βThe Dallas Sports Commission is committed to bringing great sporting events to the city of Dallas,β said Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission. βThe ERA World Championship is the type of event that will have a positive economic impact and raise the profile of Dallas as a premier sports destination.β
Governed by a seven-member board that will consist of three roughstock representatives, three timed event representatives and one administrative official, the athlete-created organization will showcase the best cowboys and cowgirls, whose eligibility to compete will be determined by the ERA qualification system.
βThe ERA is delighted that the City of Dallas and the Dallas Sports Commission believes in the vision of the ERA, creating a meaningful regular-season tour spotlighting the stars of professional rodeo. We look forward to working with Dallas in showcasing this wonderful city and providing the fans a great Championship event,β said Bobby Mote, four-time World Champion Bareback Rider and ERA Board Member.
In 2016, the ERA will produce a 15 event regular-season tour, all broadcast on national network television on FOX Sports, culminating with its 5-day World Championship event Nov. 9-13, 2016 in Dallas. The ERA has plans to expand the number of tour stops to 26 in the future.
βWe are excited about building our 2016 season and plan to increase the number of tour stops in the years to come. The ERA has its own set of regulations, allowing us to provide very unique opportunities for the entire rodeo industry.β states Garritano.
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