PBR had attracted major sponsors and an estimated 100 million television viewers to watch the world’s best bull riders earn a total payout of $10 million.
PBR reached major milestones in its first decade. Moraes won the inaugural World Championship in 1994 and became the first repeat winner in 2001. Cody Hart won a record six events in one season in 1999, including the World Championship.
That same year, Bubba Dunn turned in a 96.5 point ride, a high-point record later matched, but not bested, by Shivers.
There were low points, too, like Tuff Hedeman enduring over six hours of surgery after the legendary bull Bodacious smashed the back of his head into Hedeman’s face. Cuts, scrapes and broken bones are all in a day’s work.
The 2003 season showed us the best yet. Throughout the year, Shivers and McBride jockeyed for first place in the point standings. McBride pulled out of competition Oct. 11, after the Grand Rapids Invitational. His bull bucked him off then stomped him, breaking several ribs and puncturing a lung. Injured, but determined, McBride headed for Vegas and the World Championship.
Over 100 million viewers tune in each year to the PBR on NBC, OLN, and in Spanish on Telemundo.
With over 450 hours of prime time programming annually PBR ranks among the most prolific sports on air, in addition to attracting over one million live event attendees each year with its multi-tiered event structure which includes the marquee Built Ford Tough Series presented by Wrangler, the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company Challenger Tour, and the Humps N Horns Tour, designed specifically for entry level contestants.
The PBR's governing board of directors is comprised of renowned bull riders who have developed the event into a stand alone sport which is experiencing unprecedented growth in global popularity. The PBR is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., and has over 600 athletes competing in more than 100 PBR sanctioned competitions.
