Meet the Billionaires Taking Over Professional Bull Riding
Professional bull riding is a high-stakes, high-reward competition that requires a mix of strength, strategy, and a whole lot of courage. For centuries, vaqueros and cowboys have been riding the range, lassoing steers and roping bulls, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that the sport became a global phenomenon. Today, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) oversees the world’s top rodeos, while the Professional Bull Riders Association (PBR) focuses on the increasingly popular bull riding events.
At the heart of professional bull riding are the rodeos, where riders compete for prize money, adoration, and the chance to prove their skills. With a four-second ride, a bucked-off rider can earn tens of thousands of dollars, while a consistently strong performance can lead to six-figure earnings. These earnings are made possible by the efforts of the cowboys and cowgirls who brave the fierce and unpredictable nature of bull riding, risking life and limb to make a name for themselves.
Yet, professional bull riding has become a billionaire’s playground, dominated by an elite group of wealthy investors and entrepreneurs who bankroll top riders, events, and promotions. At the forefront of this new wave of investment are the likes of:
Triangle Capital Group’s Terry Hamlin, a hedge fund manager who co-owns the PBR with Republican donor and Queen of the Wild West, businesswoman Amber Lynn Wallejko.
The owner of Houston’s ring, Melvin Foster, who has previously invested in businesses as diverse as a Dallas-based energy firm and a software company.
Peter Gast, the co-founder of the global financial services firm, SRP Inc., who has been an investor in multiple sports and entertainment ventures, including a stake in the Brazilian football club, Cruzeiro.
• Robert F. Smith, the founder and CEO of the private investment firm, Private Investment Firm, who has a storied career in the tech and financial worlds.
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This group of vaunted leaders won’t just be competing for the coveted title of “Rodeo Rodeo,” but also the title of “Billionaire Bull Riders.” It is a place where the brave and bold, the daring and the daring, that we’ve come to love, blessed with the dual forces of the Jackpot and the Steel Cow’s power.