bocephus's mama - 2013-12-17 7:13 AM

I wonder what Vegas's offer compared to what it was already paying? Did it go up/down/stay the same? How much additional money would be going to the contestants if it moved to FL?

Plus, I'm sure the PRCA already considered the stock from Canada issue. FL has a couple of years to change that law.

And to the person saying the go-round wins only go up about $250/yr? Um...where'd that info come from? I remember distinctly when it was in the 13 thousand range and now it's in the 18 thousand range - and that wasn't 20 years ago. 

rodeorun68 - 2013-12-16 11:33 AM Ok, here's my take, it says that this will benefit the PRCA members by the bigger prize money. Well, I'm all for that BUT the article says that the $16 million will go to prize money AND PRCA administrative costs. So, the way I read that, it doesn't really say the boost in money will really reach the contestants pockets. Also, just how will Kissimmee FL have the local infrastructure to support the influx of people? Restaurants, gas stations, hotels, taxis, proximity to a major airport?  And even though I have kids of my own, NFR is not a place I would really want to be taking my little ones. It's an older persons event. My teens enjoy going. Even if it were in Kissimmee, what would you do with your little ones? While the NFR is here in Vegas there's SO much going on; NASCAR Fan Week, Country Music Awards, WSTR,Bad Habits Ropng, Hork Dog Roping, 7 large shopping Venues, performance horse auctions, AND all the free entertainment you could want. If you have an under 21 set, there really is plenty to do as well. I think FL is a ggreat cowboy state but the PRCA had better do the LARGEST marketing campaign EVER to get a new spectator base. (I also think moving televised coverage to CBSsports is a shaky move) JMO 

ozcancrasher13 - 2013-12-16 10:24 AM

The PRCA has gotten greedy.  I'm not sure how much money they think they deserve.  The PRCA thinks they should get some of the money from the trade shows, the after rodeo parties, etc. too. 

Yes, Las Vegas profits from the Finals.  Reports of how much money is generated is astonomical.  However, consider the costs of building, running and maintaining a casino.

I am all for the cowboys and cowgirls, but just how much money do you really think you deserve for one round?  $18K is a lot of money.  Sherry won more in 10 days than most people make in a year, working a 40 hour week.  I'm not saying she didn't deserve or earn it, but put it into perspective.  This money is being GIVEN by LVE.

Year after year after year, through the recession, LVE has always come through.  If the PRCA moves the Finals, I sure hope where ever they move it can prove this kind of money will always be there. 

If what I was told is true, the PRCA's greed is why the Colorado Springs rodeo is now invitational. 

TXBO - 2013-12-16 10:37 AM


So you don't think LVE is driven by greed? 

EnterUp - 2013-12-16 10:41 AM You might want to do a little research. This isn't about the PRCA being greedy. This is about the PRCA listening to its membership and doing what they want. Everyone makes a pretty darn good living off of the backs of the cowboys out in Vegas off of the NFR. Casino's, vendors at the trade shows, stock contractors, but yet the ones who have put out the most during the year are offered the least. I would be willing to bet that over 50% of the timed event contestants run up in the red at the end of the year. But yet you expect them to just continue to take the short end of the stick. If you believe in the rodeo cowboy, then you should be standing behind them and agreeing that they deserve to be paid better.

TXBO - 2013-12-16 10:35 AM They have all the leeway in the world.  Again the nongaming impact is also a drop in the bucket to the real impact.  Average gaming revenue per day for the "big 23" on the strip is about $500,000. 

Rope-N-Run - 2013-12-15 11:40 AM Well I just speculating but going off of numbers put out in the articles by Vegas and Orlando I think Vegas offered $3mil less than they have been paying. In the Orlando article it said that Vegas pays $15 mil and Orlando is offering $16 mil ( I am guessing that they are using the amount Vegas is currently paying as they prob do not know what they offered, or hadn't known when the article was written). In the Vegas Article it said that Orlando is offering $4mil more than Vegas is offering.

Ethel - 2013-12-15 7:42 PM


Also, from the time the NFR left OKC to today, the prize money to win a go round at the Finals has only increased around $250.00 a year since it moved to Vegas.. That's not really stepping it up a whole lot..

CJE - 2013-12-16 10:54 AM Similar to what I read also..........from facebook.....disclaimer.....from another page not directly to me 



 I got this from Kathi Myers, a long time friend of the family - wife to Bull Riding Champion Jimmie Myers - was /is on WPRA board. So her info is more solid in my opinion since she is close to the real sources.



PRCA feels the NFR is worth more than Las Vegas is wanting to pay to keep it. The contract with LVE is done following next year's NFR. PRCA has an offer from Osceola Country, FL to move it there. The PRCA Board voted today to reject the Las Vegas offer of a $4million raise to the $10 million it pays them now. They have been offered $16 million to move it to Kissimmee and Osceola County is promising to build a new arena, etc. by 2016. The 2015 event will be held in Orlando until the new facility is done. You can find a press release from the Osceola News-Gazette. You can also read Las Vegas' comment by searching FB for NFR Experience. 

Red Raider - 2013-12-16 9:06 AM This is what makes me laugh the most (as taken from the press release):

Christenson said NFR fans will have to pay about 40 percent more for tickets in central Florida than they have paid for the 10 days of rodeo at the sold-out Thomas &Mack Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The average NFR ticket is about $75 each for a lower bowl seat and about $55 for an upper bowl seat, Christenson said.

I don't know what world this guy is living in but I know I haven't been paying $75 for a lower-level seat or even $55 for the upper (but we come late and take what we can get).  I'm lucky if we can find lower level seating and pay $150-250 a ticket if we can find them.  

So please, I would love to pay $105 a ticket and actually know that I'm going to get to watch the rodeo at that price and without having to do some back room deal with a guy in Vegas just to get my hands on decent seats.  That's why so many people watch it from the casinos because it's hard to actually get a ticket.  I know I don't like flying 4 hours (or driving 15 hours) to go to a rodeo to watch it on a screen but you do what you have to do. 

I've also seen a lot my friends say they won't go if it's in Florida.  All I can say is more beach for me my friends.  I'd love to go to the NFR and come back with a tan.  I'd miss Vegas but I'd still go wherever they have it.   

ozcancrasher13 - 2013-12-16 10:24 AM The PRCA has gotten greedy.  I'm not sure how much money they think they deserve.  The PRCA thinks they should get some of the money from the trade shows, the after rodeo parties, etc. too. 



Yes, Las Vegas profits from the Finals.  Reports of how much money is generated is astonomical.  However, consider the costs of building, running and maintaining a casino.



I am all for the cowboys and cowgirls, but just how much money do you really think you deserve for one round?  $18K is a lot of money.  Sherry won more in 10 days than most people make in a year, working a 40 hour week.  I'm not saying she didn't deserve or earn it, but put it into perspective.  This money is being GIVEN by LVE.



Year after year after year, through the recession, LVE has always come through.  If the PRCA moves the Finals, I sure hope where ever they move it can prove this kind of money will always be there. 



If what I was told is true, the PRCA's greed is why the Colorado Springs rodeo is now invitational. 

BamaCanChaser - 2013-12-16 11:12 AM But Sherry is not "most people" she is a professional athlete. And our sports' professional athletes don't make a fraction of what other sports' professional athletes make.  How could any true fan of rodeo see our elite competitiors making more money as a bad thing?

dhdqhllc - 2013-12-16 11:15 AM


it's a bad thing if it's too costly to get the numbers of fans it takes to make it viable.......over the long term....if this doesn't work in FL, they will be taking a pay cut in 10 years......so this could really affect younger PRCA members and future members... 

CheckItOut - 2013-12-15 8:35 PM Pump the breaks... and realize this press release was issued by the Las Vegas Event's coordinator, not the PRCA. Before you go bashing the PRCA, the truth is a lot different than what you might think. Las Vegas low balled us and we declined, this is the PRCA standing up for it's members! This is not over and for the revenue that the NFR brings to Vegas for 2 weeks in December, their low ball offer was offensive. They think we need them, but they need us more. Stand up for the cowboys. Don't jump to conclusions or fall for some fancy written social media ploy to get people riled up.