by Alfred E. Newman

Created on: June 28, 2009   Last Updated: July 11, 2009

Introduced by Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association CEO Karl Stressman at the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour consists of two competition levels determined by the prize money offered at the event. The Gold level event offers a purse of $20,000 or more, the Silver events must offer $10,000, but less than $20,000 or more in prize money. The total prize money for the Million Dollar Tour will exceed $6.2 million in 2009, spread over a 17-rodeo season.

The champion for each event will come from among the 24 finalist (24 pairs finalist in team roping) who will compete in a two-rodeo playoff; the final event determining the champion in each event. A cowboy's standing will be determined by the prize money they have won on the rodeo circuit, the top 24 money winners advancing to the first playoff rodeo in Puyallup, Washington, on September 11-13 becoming the first sanctioned playoff rodeo. The top 12 Cowboy's from the Puyallup event will advance to the finals at Omaha, Nebraska on September 24-26, the Nebraska event will be a tournament-style rodeo and will determine the Champion for each rodeo event.

General Manager Bucky Lamb, of Rodeo Austin, in Austin, Texas, one of the rodeos on the new circuit loves the new format. It allows the general fan to understand that they're coming to a first class event, and I think that helps our ticket sales. Even in these hard economic times, the PRCA has managed to increase the overall total purse by 30% and Rodeo Austin sees nothing but bright days ahead for them and rodeo in general.

The Wrangler Million Dollar Tour came about in response to the rising concerns of Cowboys and others in the rodeo industry. It just may be the face-lift the PRCA needed, the Cowboys and committees wanted to elevate certain rodeos to elite programs allowing the Cowboys to select rodeos carefully in order to maximize their prize money, currently cowboys spend months on the road and the Million Dollar Tour will make life easier for the Cowboys.

This should mean top-notch cowboys and livestock for PRCA. The PRCA is hoping in the economic climate that consumers unwilling to spend will come out, drawn by the high caliber cowboys and stock, in record numbers of fans. Rodeo Austin, which recently became the sixth largest indoor rodeo in the nation, so far has not suffered the drop in attendance and lower ticket sales suffered by other sporting events.

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