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Location: Texas | ERA Rodeo TOP RODEO ATHLETES ANNOUNCE THE FORMATION OF THE ELITE RODEO ASSOCIATION BOERNE, TX (February 16, 2015) -- The Elite Rodeo Association (ERA), an innovative new rodeo corporation created and owned by the top rodeo athletes in the world, is proud to announce its formation. “We believe that rodeo needed an elite tour comprised of only the world’s best rodeo competitors and livestock,” said Tony Garritano, CEO and President of the ERA. “Due to its business model, the ERA is the only rodeo organization that can truly guarantee appearances of the top talent in professional rodeo. Being owned by the contestants, they are guaranteeing themselves.” Just as other professional sports industries have elite levels of competition for their top athletes, the ERA will do the same for the top professional rodeo athletes by creating a tour that will showcase the best talent in rodeo. The ERA plans to work in cooperation with existing rodeo venues and sports arenas across North America to create an exciting and sought after tour. In addition, ERA is focused on the future generations of top rodeo athletes with a mission of ensuring the integrity of the sport of rodeo and providing additional opportunities for professional rodeo cowboys, cowgirls and industry partners for years to come. The ERA is owned by the top 55 rodeo athletes, 42 of which are World Champion Rodeo Cowboys & Cowgirls. While the current ownership includes existing top competitors, the progressive model allows for aspiring elite rodeo athletes to participate and earn ownership in the ERA. “By introducing a unique concept like the ERA, it is our hope to increase the awareness of the sport of rodeo on a national stage” says 21--time World Champion Cowboy and ERA Board Member, Trevor Brazile. “Enhancing the sport of professional rodeo and building something greater for the future generations of rodeo cowboys and cowgirls is the goal of the ERA. We look forward to working with the entire rodeo industry.” Governed by a seven--member board that will consist of three rough stock representatives, three timed event representatives and one administrative official, the athlete--owned organization will showcase the best cowboys and cowgirls, whose eligibility to compete will be determined by the ERA qualification system. In 2016, the ERA will produce a 15--event regular--season tour, all broadcast on national network television, culminating with a 5--day World Championship event. “We are excited about building and releasing 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,” states Garritano. Exciting announcements about the 2016 tour will be coming soon. More information will be released through erarodeo.com and our Facebook page, ERA Rodeo. Media Contacts: Holly DeLaune, 210--632--3208, [email protected] |
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 Expert
Posts: 1857
 
| I was just reading this and about to post something about it. Looks like the PRCA might have a little pressure coming on soon! Maybe they won't allow PETA in their pocket! |
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Rad Dork
Posts: 5218
Location: Oklahoma | So will those founding members stop participating in PRCA rodeos? |
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 Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I just saw this on FB, interesting |
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Location: Texas | Longneck - 2015-02-16 4:51 PM
So will those founding members stop participating in PRCA rodeos?
I don't believe so... Says in 2016 they will only have 15 rodeos, seems like they would still have to attend PRCA events to pay the bills.
I am interested to see how it plays out, might be a "game changer". |
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 I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | Real interesting since Boerne is 20 miles from us and Tony is Charmayne Jame's business manager and husband if I'm not mistaken. |
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10D Crack Champion
| EqualRanch - 2015-02-16 5:07 PM Longneck - 2015-02-16 4:51 PM So will those founding members stop participating in PRCA rodeos? I don't believe so... Says in 2016 they will only have 15 rodeos, seems like they would still have to attend PRCA events to pay the bills. I am interested to see how it plays out, might be a "game changer".
I am sure with the success of RFD-TV's The American, the PBR, CBR, and the Professional Rough Stock Association it has spurred along a lot of outside the box thinking. I would think they would schedule their rodeos around the big PRCA rodeos especially the first year just in case it isn't a huge success right out of the gate. |
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10D Crack Champion
| Nevertooold - 2015-02-16 5:11 PM Real interesting since Boerne is 20 miles from us and Tony is Charmayne Jame's business manager and husband if I'm not mistaken.
I think that Tony G is Charmayne's husband, her manager, as well as sports agent to many top PRCA contestants. If I remember right he was a sports agent when he and Charmayne first started dating. |
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Location: Texas | You are correct Nevertooold!
That made me very curious what part, if any, Charmayne will have in this new association.  |
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10D Crack Champion
| http://erarodeo.com/
https://www.facebook.com/erarodeo
Their Facebook page is a public business page everyone can view whether one has a Facebook account or not.
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10D Crack Champion
| EqualRanch - 2015-02-16 5:21 PM You are correct Nevertooold! That made me very curious what part, if any, Charmayne will have in this new association.
Edited by sodapop 2015-02-16 5:30 PM
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Location: Texas | sodapop - 2015-02-16 5:23 PM EqualRanch - 2015-02-16 5:21 PM You are correct Nevertooold! That made me very curious what part, if any, Charmayne will have in this new association.
Charmayne James, Trevor Brazile, Fred Whitfield, Tuf Cooper, Bobby Mote, Clay Tryan, Jade Corkill, and Patrick Smith, among others. Between those 8 people they have won 54 World Championships.
Edited by EqualRanch 2015-02-16 5:46 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1561
| Im not sure about this, The American is for the average everyday person to show they can hang with the big names and this seems to be the opposite. Ill have to wait and see more of the details... |
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 You get what you give
Posts: 13030
Location: Texas | I guess that's cool if their goal is to keep the little guy out of it. At least with the PRCA rodeos I can enter them when I can and have my shot at winning some money. I paid my dues and filled my permit... Glad the American is out there for people like me to try for. |
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Shelter Dog Lover
Posts: 10277
| I understand the concept that the draw will be you get to see the "best of the best" at each performance, but I like seeing the rookies who make the NFR compete with the "regulars", they are also an elite in my book and worth watching. That said, I do not begrudge them an opportunity to create an organization that will make them some $$.
Edited by rodeomom3 2015-02-16 7:13 PM
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  Keeper of the King Snake
Posts: 7616
Location: Dubach, LA | I can promise the tickets to those rodeos will be out of my price range.
Edited to add: Who has a list of the owners?
Edited by CanCan 2015-02-16 7:21 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 1552
Location: Texas | I can't help but wonder what damage it will cause to some of the rodeos as we know them. Sure would be easier for big rodeos to just sign on for one of their events instead of dealing with th standard PRCA/WPRA rodeo venue. |
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Tried and True
Posts: 21185
Location: Where I am happiest | I understand some of the frustrations with the PRCA over the years. However, I think it is a sad day for rodeo when some forget where they come from, and the struggles and tenacity it took to get to be the rookie and work their way the top. It's a sad day when they try to block out the up and commers and make it all about and only "The Elite". |
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I Prefer to Live in Fantasy Land
Posts: 64864
Location: In the Hills of Texas | Once a "Elite" top 15 drops out for what ever reason...I would like to know how they will fill that spot? The PRCA rodeos take care of that problem with all the rodeos they have that a rookie can enter but I don't see how it will work for the "Elite". |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 421
Location: Texas!! | I kind of understand what they are doing, they are promoting rodeo for the fans. They are only doing 15 per year, so fans that would like an NFR experience, but maybe can't go to Las Vegas can have it. I know when I'm at the amateur rodeos, I look at the draw and when I see the top contestants names in any event, I try to watch. I'm sure there will be a way the up and coming rodeo contestants can work their way up to the tour too. Even the PBR has a lower level tour for riders that aren't riding well, they have to work their way back up. They also have the 15 on 15 (top riders and top bulls). Just think of it as an all-star game like for other sports. If it promotes rodeo in a positive way, I'm for it. As long as we still have The American (which I think is awesome and the best idea in a long time!), the PRCA, WPRA, and all our amateur organizations so everyone has a chance to chase their dreams!
Edited by rodeodelux 2015-02-16 8:34 PM
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