News

PBR inks 4-year deal with UNM’s “The Pit”

The PBR's heading back to Albuquerque, N.M. for the 14th consecutive year.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (September 24, 2009) - The Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) is pleased to announce that not only will its elite Built Ford Tough Series (BFTS) tour return to Albuquerque, N.M. in 2010, but it will remain in The Land of Enchantment for the next four years.  The Sandia Resort & Casino presents the Ty Murray Invitational will head back to the University of New Mexico’s world-famous “The Pit” on March 26-28, 2010.  This will be the PBR’s 14th consecutive year in Albuquerque. 

“We’re very excited about the new four-year deal with Albuquerque for several different reasons,” PBR founder and nine-time World Champion Ty Murray stated.  “One, as a fan I think, The Pit is the greatest place to watch a PBR event. I don’t think you’re going to get a louder, more exciting, or more electric venue anywhere in the country. On the other side of that coin, I don’t think there’s a more exciting place to be as a rider. The fans are on top of you, and you can really feel the excitement of the crowd so you can feed off of that as a bull rider. Albuquerque has become such a staple – this is our 14th year – and it’s become one of those stops on the Built Ford Tough Series that everyone looks forward to.”

The venue will once again be transformed from a basketball court to one of the most intimate arenas that the top 40 bull riders in the world will compete at all season.  For three performances, the toughest men on dirt will battle the top animal athletes in the world, all competing for one of the most coveted event titles on the BFTS tour. 

“Albuquerque fans are like no others in the world,” said PBR Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Randy Bernard. “They deserve the best, and The Pit may just be the best bull riding venue on the planet.  We’re excited to not only be bringing the PBR back to New Mexico in 2010, but for the next four years.”

Fans can look forward to seeing local bull riding superstars L.J. Jenkins (Texico, N.M.) and Travis Briscoe (Edgewood, N.M.); 2008 PBR World Champion Guilherme Marchi (Leme, SP, Brazil); 2009 Ty Murray Invitational event winner Zack Brown (Santa Fe, Texas); current world no. 1 bull rider Kody Lostroh (Longmont, Colo.); and PBR fan favorites J.B. Mauney (Mooresville, N.C.), Ryan Dirteater (Hulbert, Okla.), Ryan McConnel (Colgate, Okla.), and Sean Willingham (Summerville, Ga.).   

Tickets go on sale exclusively to TeamPBR Fan Club members starting Friday, September 25 at 8 a.m. MST by calling 800 732 1727.  To become a TeamPBR Fan Club member and enjoy privileges such as purchasing tickets to all Built Ford Tough Series events before the general public, access to the Official Fan Club Mixer, and more, please visit http://www.teampbr.com.

Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, October 2 and are available by phone at 877 664 8661, in person at all UNM Ticket Outlets and Albertsons stores in the Albuquerque/Rio Rancho/Santa Fe areas, and online at www.UNMtickets.com. 

The format of the Ty Murray Invitational consists of four rounds of competition with the first three rounds featuring the top 40 qualified riders taking on the sport’s rankest bulls.  The Top 15 riders based upon their total cumulative score after three rounds will qualify for the Built Ford Tough Championship Round, the final decisive round of action which will happen at the conclusion of the third performance on Sunday, March 28.  The bull riding action from “The Pit” will be fast, furious and one a true PBR fan will not want to miss!

For more information on the Professional Bull Riders and their return to Albuquerque, please visit www.pbrnow.com or contact Katharine Sherrer at 719 242 2800 ext. 3372 or Katharine@pbrnow.com.

All roads are leading to Las Vegas and you don’t want to miss out on any of the action at the 2009 Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas, Nev.  The world-class event will take place on Oct. 30-Nov 1 and Nov. 5-8 at the Thomas & Mack Center---get your tickets NOW at 866.PBR.SHOW or unlvtickets.com!