Laughlin out, Des Moines in

[Gus]

This is good for all you midwesterners:

From a PBR release:

When the PBR announced the 2006 BFTS schedule, it included Laughlin, Nevada as a September date as it had done for the previous seven years. Following the scheduling of the date, the City of Laughlin opted not to enter into an agreement that would have brought the PBR's Built Ford Tough Series to the Laughlin fans for the next three years. The PBR had no choice but to cancel the Laughlin Shoot Out and move the date to Des Moines, Iowa. The Wells Fargo Arena immediately jumped at the chance to bring the PBR to its fans.

"Financially it did not make sense for the PBR to bring the BFTS tour to Laughlin. We appreciate our long relationship with Laughlin and are optimistic about bringing one of our minor league events to our fans there in 2007," stated Randy Bernard, CEO of the Professional Bull Riders. "Des Moines is in the heartland of America where we have a great fan base. We are confident that our event there will be a great addition to the BFTS schedule."

[dairymary]

well that just sucks..i was going to try to go to that, but it looks like im not now!!

[cowboyup1991]

It looks like to me that the pbr is moving away from it roots. trying to become another NBA or something like that.
I really hate indoor arenas. Both riding in em or sitting around watching. I always end up sneezing dust and dirt for a week

[Homeslice]

Yeah, why does the BFTS practically never go outdoors, while the PBR's minor leagues and all those other rodeo and bull riding associations pretty much always do? Laughlin, I think was the last of the outdoor events and now it is gone. And remember, Pueblo was also one and that one also got cancelled earlier in the year. What does the BFTS have against the outdoors?

I mean I've never been to an outdoor event but to me they can be a lot more fun to watch (even on TV), and one day (if ever) I'd like to see one live.

[rossco4worldchamp]

If you think about it, it is guaranteed money from the fans if it's indoors. There are a lot of fans that won't go if it's raining, or cold etc. . . They probably just figure it's easier to deal with, ya know? I agree though, rodeo is an outdoor thing and hopefully Jamie and I will get to an outdoor event to see what a real rodeo is like!!

[milo]

Once again, the almighty $$$$ triumphs in the PBR. I guess that's what big business is all about, but I think they alienate some of their fans with these decisions. Maybe CBR or Xtreme should step into Laughlin and fill the void.

[rossco4worldchamp]

I didn't realize at first that they were replacing Laughlin. That sucks. They should add Des Moines in the middle of the summer or something. They had an ET event in IA, I think it was in Des Moines, wasn't it? Now is there only 1 outdoor BFTS event?

[Homeslice]

No, there are NONE left. Phoenix should've been but the roof was closed for most of it. I don't know what the venue in Mexico will be like but I doubt it'll be outdoors.

[rossco4worldchamp]

I was just on the PBR site to see if they have ticket information about the Des Moines event, and that weekend says TBD. It doesn't say Des Moines or Laughlin. I wonder if they are getting so much negative reaction they are re-evaluating their decision. . .