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 Always Off Topic
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Location: ND | phoenix - 2014-01-07 2:13 AM Interesting........... Just hope the "Big Guns" don't set something up that mainly benefits them and forgets about the "little guys." They need to remember that those little guys and rookies help pay a lot of entry fees into the pot that make the rodeos pay even better for everyone. JMHO...........
the little guys aren't who anyone wants to see and aren't who bring in big sponsor money for events.....their fees are a drop in the cup when it comes to where this is going........if these folks want to be professional athletes and make rodeo into something better for the consumer, then they are on the right track..... |
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Always Off Topic
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Location: ND | trickster j - 2014-01-07 7:25 AM phoenix - 2014-01-07 1:13 AM Interesting........... Just hope the "Big Guns" don't set something up that mainly benefits them and forgets about the "little guys." They need to remember that those little guys and rookies help pay a lot of entry fees into the pot that make the rodeos pay even better for everyone. JMHO........... That was my first thought too- I appreciate that they want to "preserve" the heritage of the sport, but truthfully, rodeo didn't get it's beginnings with million dollar cowboys hauling up and down the road and entering rodeos for a living. I just hope the majority of PRCA members who may not ever make the NFR will have a say in what goes on as well- unless this new organization is one for just the elite. I agree with some others- this is all to vaugue to form any opinions on right now, but it's hard not to worry.
eta: on another note, I do have to say that I just hate how the NFR contestants are treated as employees when they finally do get to the NFR. What other top level athlete in any top-level sport has to be up early to practice, then off to autograph signings and special appearances all day, then rush back to get ready to compete, compete at the largest venue in the sport, then stay up late, take care of thier horse, get a little bit of rest, then back at it first thing in the morning for 10 days in a row? How can they possibly be at their best?? Would anyone expect Kobe Bryant or Tiger Woods to keep that schedule during thier most important Finals of the year? I know it's not all the PRCA that makes these demands on them, it's the sponsors an host hotels as well, but I just hate to see them all treated like carnies and entertainment every waking hour during the NFR. That's just not right, imo. They do need better treatment in some regards-
actually they do.........probably more so than rodeo |
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Location: Texas! | dhdqhllc - 2014-01-07 11:25 AM
phoenix - 2014-01-07 2:13 AM Interesting........... Just hope the "Big Guns" don't set something up that mainly benefits them and forgets about the "little guys." They need to remember that those little guys and rookies help pay a lot of entry fees into the pot that make the rodeos pay even better for everyone. JMHO...........
the little guys aren't who anyone wants to see and aren't who bring in big sponsor money for events.....their fees are a drop in the cup when it comes to where this is going........if these folks want to be professional athletes and make rodeo into something better for the consumer, then they are on the right track.....
But that kinda goes against the statement made about the whole reason for this being to preserve the heritage and legacy of rodeo? I dunno I think turning it into a PBR of rodeo (if that is the plan, of course we still don't know any specifics) isn't the way to save the integrity of the sport. JMO though. |
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Location: Texas! | I was just watching Wpra Today and it was the conclusion of Pendleton, Christy Loflin was SO proud to be competing in the short go side by side her daughter she was choked up! With that A and B rye rodeo those moments won't happen , it will just make it that much harder for the weekend warrior (not by their own choice) who dreams of making it big. |
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Expert
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| dhdqhllc - 2014-01-07 12:25 PM
phoenix - 2014-01-07 2:13 AM Interesting........... Just hope the "Big Guns" don't set something up that mainly benefits them and forgets about the "little guys." They need to remember that those little guys and rookies help pay a lot of entry fees into the pot that make the rodeos pay even better for everyone. JMHO...........
the little guys aren't who anyone wants to see and aren't who bring in big sponsor money for events.....their fees are a drop in the cup when it comes to where this is going........if these folks want to be professional athletes and make rodeo into something better for the consumer, then they are on the right track.....
D, we mostly agree
but in this case they are going to have to have some way for the new talent to "make" it or it will die very quickly.
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 Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | Let's wait until more information is posted before jumping to conclusions about what they are planning to do.
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Location: Texas! | MS2011 - 2014-01-07 12:33 PM Let's wait until more information is posted before jumping to conclusions about what they are planning to do.
I agree, sure wish they'd give us something else to go off of. |
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Location: hot, humid and dry...Gulf coast East of Houston.. | MS2011 - 2014-01-07 1:33 PM Let's wait until more information is posted before jumping to conclusions about what they are planning to do.
well, what fun would that be? LOL |
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Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | shellyh1971 - 2014-01-07 1:56 PM MS2011 - 2014-01-07 1:33 PM Let's wait until more information is posted before jumping to conclusions about what they are planning to do.
Absolutely none........but I hate to see them run down before we even know what they're planning.
These are people that make their living rodeoing, it's pretty ballsy to put your name on a list in a public move like they have. I'm sure they haven't taken this lightly. Can you imagine the reprecussions from the prca if their idea doesn't fly? |
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 Leggs
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Location: lexington KY | I am always amazed at the comments the "little dogs" arent who anyone wants to see. I really do not believe that. Yes, there are a some VERY large rodeos that can promote the big dogs coming to their rodeo, but the medium size rodeos do not have that luxery and they are still successful. Many rodeo committees cant promote a rodeo by saying "World Champion Trevor Brazile is coming" they have to do so by getting their community involved and bringing in sponsorships that way. They have to show to sponosors they have a reason to give them money. What if it is rains all week and the "big dogs" turn out, then what? Many smaller rodeos will have a decent attendance because of the local people that are participating, they are their to support them, because they know them, not becuase they know rodeo. If you walk into the stands of many smaller rodeos, those people dont know who the big dogs are, they came because they wanted to go to a rodeo.
I am very interested to see what takes place but I do think there is room for everyone in rodeo that is what this sport was built on. JMHO.
Edited by polorunner 2014-01-07 2:03 PM
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| The whole problem with arguing about BIG names vs. unknowns is this: the fan-base for rodeo is, I'm guessing, 85% industry people, i.e. people who rodeo themselves or a family member, people who work in an industry that is somewhat tied to rodeo people...western apparel clothes, animal pharmaceuticals, trucks & trailer sales etc. Rodeo is not as big and cannot be compared to other sports that have a broad range of fans from all different demographics...walks of life, education, yearly income, age etc. Those stands at the NFR are filled with families of competitors or the weekend warriors that rodeo or jackpot that just love the sport! If rodeo had the fan base that football, baseball, basketball or NASCAR has the top athletes would be making much more money. In my opinion, the rodeo world needs a major PR campaign to try to recruit some hard-core fans but I doubt it would help.
Having said all of the above I agree with what was said about locals coming out to support people they know. Why? Because there isn't a big rodeo fan base which is my point.
Edited by runs4fun 2014-01-07 2:06 PM
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Location: EDGE OF INSANITY | i don't really know whats going on, but it seems like they want a raise? ok, i get that, we ALL want raises. however they all knew the risks going in. i understand that the cost of running up and down the road has increased-the cost of living for everyone has increased. i haven't gotten a raise in 7 years and i work for a very well known university. i wish i could march into my bosses office and demand a raise, but i'm sure he would laugh in my face (or tell me to take a hike lol). again, we don't know the whole story and if it is for the good of rodeo, i hope they succeed. but, i would like the option for "nobody" to become somebody. i hope that doesn't change. |
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I think we are all missing a huge point here. How many of us make enough money in our CHOSEN professions to live the lifestyle we want to live. My guess is most live the lifestyle they can afford to live. That's how it is at my house. While I support the western way of life and those athletes that choose to TRY to make a living at it, I realize that not all of them will succeed. To me, that is part of the attraction of the sport. Rodeo is different than the stick and ball (more similar to professional baseball) sports. To play the stick and ball sports, you need talent, pure and simple. There are very few who have the talent to play those sports at an elite level and the marketplace has set a value on what they should get paid. Baseball is a little different with the minor league system that is filled with very talented players that don't get paid squat( a few hundred to a few thousand per month) Why do they do it? For a Chance at the next level. There is still only room for a very few at the elite level. Rodeo is a little different in my opinion. This is the only sport that I know of that anyone with enough money can buy a permit and enter (for the most part) with the world champions. We all know someone who is talented enough and has the horsepower to compete with the best in the world. What holds them back, MONEY. They cannot afford to travel. The top money earners each year are the ones who can afford to travel. Seems to me that the little guys or the locals are already eliminated.
Maybe a tiered system based on e/f and purse would work. Maybe not all prca money counts toward the finals. Maybe the card system needs more steps in it. Maybe the circuit standing and finals should have larger role in who gets to the finals.
Maybe some of those complaining are spending more than they can earn. To continue in the game is their choice. Maybe this is the limit of the pay scale. Maybe sponsors limit the options for increased payouts. There is much I don't know but I do know this. Rodeo is still the only game I know that if you have enough money, you can play at the elite level(maybe not compete). That makes the rules different.
I don't have the solution to this. I wish those that are given the task of finding solution much luck. I fear this will be painful for competitors and fans alike. |
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Own It and Move On
Location: The edge of no where | horsepoor1 - 2014-01-07 4:17 PM i don't really know whats going on, but it seems like they want a raise? ok, i get that, we ALL want raises. however they all knew the risks going in. i understand that the cost of running up and down the road has increased-the cost of living for everyone has increased. i haven't gotten a raise in 7 years and i work for a very well known university. i wish i could march into my bosses office and demand a raise, but i'm sure he would laugh in my face (or tell me to take a hike lol). again, we don't know the whole story and if it is for the good of rodeo, i hope they succeed. but, i would like the option for "nobody" to become somebody. i hope that doesn't change. You have the freedom to negociate with your boss for a raise. If you don't ask, you're mostly likely not going to get one. There is no way I would work for the same company for 7 years with out a raise unless I was making at least 200,000.
Because you haven't done anything to change your situation, doesn't mean that others shouldn't.
They tried to work out a deal with the PRCA, PRCA wouldn't listen.....so why shouldn't they take it upon themselves to better the situation? That's what makes them winners in the arena too.
Edited by MS2011 2014-01-07 4:29 PM
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Location: EDGE OF INSANITY | again, i work for a university aka the state. the entire staff of my department have rallied for raises, but when positions are being cut, people are basically being forced to early retire, and positions are not being filled when someone quits/retires, there really is NO money for raises. we rely on state and federal funding and it has been cut EVERY year for the past 10 years. no raises here in my neck of the woods sorry. |
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Location: /ARKANSAS | That is insane, everyone was a little guy at some point! |
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Location: EDGE OF INSANITY | MS2011 - 2014-01-07 5:25 PM
horsepoor1 - 2014-01-07 4:17 PM i don't really know whats going on, but it seems like they want a raise? ok, i get that, we ALL want raises. however they all knew the risks going in. i understand that the cost of running up and down the road has increased-the cost of living for everyone has increased. i haven't gotten a raise in 7 years and i work for a very well known university. i wish i could march into my bosses office and demand a raise, but i'm sure he would laugh in my face (or tell me to take a hike lol). again, we don't know the whole story and if it is for the good of rodeo, i hope they succeed. but, i would like the option for "nobody" to become somebody. i hope that doesn't change. You have the freedom to negociate with your boss for a raise. If you don't ask, you're mostly likely not going to get one. There is no way I would work for the same company for 7 years with out a raise unless I was making at least 200,000.
Because you haven't done anything to change your situation, doesn't mean that others shouldn't.
They tried to work out a deal with the PRCA, PRCA wouldn't listen.....so why shouldn't they take it upon themselves to better the situation? That's what makes them winners in the arena too.
also i said if its for the better of rodeo i hope they succeed |
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| JenO - 2014-01-07 5:22 PM I think we are all missing a huge point here. How many of us make enough money in our CHOSEN professions to live the lifestyle we want to live. My guess is most live the lifestyle they can afford to live. That's how it is at my house. While I support the western way of life and those athletes that choose to TRY to make a living at it, I realize that not all of them will succeed. To me, that is part of the attraction of the sport. Rodeo is different than the stick and ball (more similar to professional baseball) sports. To play the stick and ball sports, you need talent, pure and simple. There are very few who have the talent to play those sports at an elite level and the marketplace has set a value on what they should get paid. Baseball is a little different with the minor league system that is filled with very talented players that don't get paid squat( a few hundred to a few thousand per month) Why do they do it? For a Chance at the next level. There is still only room for a very few at the elite level. Rodeo is a little different in my opinion. This is the only sport that I know of that anyone with enough money can buy a permit and enter (for the most part) with the world champions. We all know someone who is talented enough and has the horsepower to compete with the best in the world. What holds them back, MONEY. They cannot afford to travel. The top money earners each year are the ones who can afford to travel. Seems to me that the little guys or the locals are already eliminated. Maybe a tiered system based on e/f and purse would work. Maybe not all prca money counts toward the finals. Maybe the card system needs more steps in it. Maybe the circuit standing and finals should have larger role in who gets to the finals. Maybe some of those complaining are spending more than they can earn. To continue in the game is their choice. Maybe this is the limit of the pay scale. Maybe sponsors limit the options for increased payouts. There is much I don't know but I do know this. Rodeo is still the only game I know that if you have enough money, you can play at the elite level(maybe not compete). That makes the rules different. I don't have the solution to this. I wish those that are given the task of finding solution much luck. I fear this will be painful for competitors and fans alike. NASCAR, or car racing in general, is a sport that someone can "buy" themselves into (for lack of a better term). Because stock car racing has a HUGE fan-base even those that are not the BIG names can make a pretty good living at it because they need a certain amount of cars for every race to fill up the field. Some of those guys that race every week know they don't have a snowball's chance of winning but they are still going to make big bucks...why is this possible? Because of the amount of tickets sold each week. Why can they sell so many tickets? Because there are a lot of fans from every walk of life that will pay big bucks to sit in the grandstands!
I agree with you though that the Cowboys/Cowgirls chose this way of life;however, it doesn't mean they haven't gotten tired of someone else making big money off of them. You can't blame them for trying to take a little more control of their destinies, if it's possible for them to do so.
Edited by runs4fun 2014-01-07 4:53 PM
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| phoenix - 2014-01-07 2:13 AM
Interesting...........
Just hope the "Big Guns" don't set something up that mainly benefits them and forgets about the "little guys." They need to remember that those little guys and rookies help pay a lot of entry fees into the pot that make the rodeos pay even better for everyone.
JMHO...........
Once again, I am going to say that I hope the "Big Guns" (including contestants, sponsors, rodeo committees, etc.) don't forget about the "little guys."
I have been on both sides of the bubble having started out with no rodeo experience, becoming an NFR Qualifier, and then starting all over again with new/young/inexperienced horses after a many year lay off, and I think EVERY contestant is important for our sport.
Yes, people are arguing that the fans will not come to see the "little guys" but I beg to differ. What about the Cinderella stories where a rookie comes out of nowhere and starts winning? What about the "Come back" stories where contestants used to be a big gun but are starting all over again? What about local fans coming to see their friend/co-worker/neighbor compete?
I feel that one of the great things about our sport is that a diverse group of us compete and have opportunities. And on that note, how will a "little guy" be able to become a "Big Gun" if they have restricted or NO opportunities to advance?
Don't get me wrong, I feel our sport is underpaid when compared with a lot of other professional sports, and I have no problem with the contestants asking for more pay. I'm not arguing that point at all. But don't forget about the "others" who are not fortunate enough to be a "Big Gun" but have just as much heart, soul and love for our sport as the top ranked competitors do.
JMHO.............again. |
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Location: Stuck in a cubicle having tropical thoughts | I guess I don't get the whole 'they want a raise' comment. this years NFR paid more money than any NFR before. 1st in a round paid just over $18.6K and the average was $47.7K. In 2010 it was $17.5K to win the round. and $44.9 to win the average. Each year it pays more and more. They keep talking about new NFR winnings records and new season earnings records. Well I'd sure hope that the records keep going up and up because the amount of money to be won goes up each year. It's simple math. |
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