Lifestyle

PRCA and RFD-TV Partner for Prestigious 2-Day Texas Rodeo in Arlington

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Tony Maples Photography

 

A press release from the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) has announced that a partnership has been struck with RFD-TV’s The American. The deal will not only sanction The American but also increase the purse size by $355,000, bringing the total prize money to $2,355,000.

Scheduled for March 2-3, 2019, at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, what was once known as the “richest one day rodeo” will now grow to a two-day event that is sanctioned by the PRCA. It’s now also the richest event in western sporting. With respect to the partnership, the official release stated, “The PRCA is the premier rodeo organization in the world, and in a continued effort to bring our fans the biggest and best events, we are proud to be sanctioning The American and partnering with RFD-TV. This is an exciting time for the PRCA as we open new avenues to improve the sport for our members and fans, and the inclusion of The American is a giant step in that process.” In addition, points which are earned at The American will now count toward qualifications in the National Finals Rodeo (NFR).

PRCA and RFD-TV Partner for a Prestigious 2-Day Texas Rodeo Event in Arlington

Photo: Facebook/RFD-TV’s The American

PRCA CEO George Taylor also stated that since 1986, over $1 billion in payouts have been made by the PRCA. “We need to grow that even more to continue to stay relevant as we move forward,” he explained. “One of the steps of that is about becoming involved with things like The American. The stories that come out of an event like The American are amazing and that is what is really going to drive our sport as we move forward.” In conjunction with these changes, in 2019 The American will be adding a #9 Team Roping and break-away roping. In the process, RFD-TV has signed a five-year deal with AT&T Stadium which will keep The American in Arlington.

“We are proud to continue and extend our partnership with Patrick Gottsch and RFD-TV as the hosts of RFD-TV’s the American Rodeo,” Stephen Jones, Chief Operating Officer of the Dallas Cowboys, has noted. “There is no better venue to experience this ground-breaking event than AT&T Stadium. We’re certainly fired up about the next five years and as big as it has already been, we want to continue to make it bigger and better.” Since its 2014 debut, The American has made over $15 million in rodeo payouts as top athletes vie for the chance to compete at this prestigious Texas event. Those who wish to follow the whos-who of qualifiers can do so at www.AmericanRodeo.com through which event standings are posted over the course of the year from across the U.S.