|
• All Feature Articles
PBR Embraces a Thrilling New Team Spirit at Nashville Stampede Days in Music City
by Rich and Laura Lynch
Props to the great minds behind the scenes at PBR - the Professional Bull Riding circuit that has operated across the nation ever since its founding in 1992. Earlier this year it was announced that after surveying the pro sports landscape, PBR would join their ranks to actually become a league with team franchises representing individual cities. On Saturday night, August 20, 2022 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee the thrilling last minute (or eight second ride) by the home squad to seal a victory could not have been drawn up any better.
The way the Team Series works is franchises are pitted against each other in games with five riders each attempting to achieve a qualified ride to amass points scored by PBR judges. After a night of action dominated by feisty and unpredictable bulls, day two of the event marketed as Stampede Days came down to one final rider - the newly signed, three-time PBR World Champion Silvano Alves. He held on to give the home team a walk-off win with the only completed ride of the game and was soon smothered by his entire team in a glorious moment that had Nashville head coach Justin McBride gushing that this night and crowd should forever be the template for the nascent Team Series.
And, that is exactly where the genius thinking behind the Team Series comes in. For us, this was our fifth time watching the PBR live in Music City and it was really only the first time we felt actively engaged as a spectator simply because a real rooting interest was in play that elevated a mostly individual based endeavor into something so much more. Sure, in the past the courage of singular riders was compelling and there was always engaging human interest stories to be found. But, with a team logo to back - us and the many attendees walking the stands adorned in Stampede jerseys, hats and t-shirts - the experience was one the local community could and did bond over.
The stars of the PBR were on display once again in Nashville.
The inaugural season franchises in the PBR Series are the Austin Gamblers, Nashville Stampede, Ariat Texas Rattlers, Kansas City Outlaws, Missouri Thunder, Arizona Ridge Riders, Carolina Cowboys and Oklahoma Freedom. This offshoot of Professional Bull Riding will vie for their own title during the PBR Team Series Championship in Las Vegas in November. In addition to the Team Series the PBR boasts other divisions including the Premier Series - where the best riders and bulls compete; the Challenger Series - a minor league tour that allowed riders to compete at lower-level events to work their way up to the elite series; and the Velocity Tour - featuring young and up-coming talent competing against the established talent of the sport.
The PBR Team Series rolled into Nashville with a party called PBR Stampede Days that guaranteed a weekend full of fun. Being that this was Music City live performances dominated the schedule and featured free and open to the public performances on the arena plaza by Shelby Darrall, Walker Montgomery, Catie Offerman, Noah Hicks, Charly Reynolds, Chancey Williams, John Haywood, Carson Beyer, Kimberly Kelly, Will Jones, Mae Estes and a special pre-show concert Chancie Neal on Friday night inside the Bridgestone Arena. There were also special book signings, live podcasts, line dancing sessions and after parties. Fittingly - it all wrapped up with Cowboy Church with Cowboy Dan on Sunday morning to kick off the third day of action - proving that the PBR continues to be a brand on the rise seemingly born again with a praiseworthy new direction that will occupy participating venues for years to come.
The new Team Series dominated the big screen at the Bridgestone Arena.
Related Links:
For more information on the PBR TEAM SERIES and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links -
Professional Bull Riders |
Bridgestone Arena
|
