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Once the $338 million Moody Center set within the sprawling University of Texas at Austin campus finally opens this spring, the first pro sports event held there won't be a football or basketball game.
Elite team bull riding will take that honor.
Professional Bull Riders, a league that pits bull riders against each other in a team format, will come to Moody Center Aug. 26-28 as part of the PBR Team Series.
Austin's brand new bull riding team, the Gamblers, will be a part of that competition.
The Austin Gamblers are headed by CEO JJ Gottsch, formerly of the Round Rock Express and Ryan Sanders Sports Entertainment. Michael Gaffney, who helped found Professional Bull Riders in 1992, will coach the team.
During traditional bull riding competitions an individual rider will attempt to stay atop a bucking bull for eight seconds. The PBR Team Series differs by putting teams of five riders head-to-head with cumulative times.
"This team concept is something new, as opposed to just an individualized type sport," Gaffney said.
Gottsch said the team aspect of the PBR series takes the best part of the rodeo and "puts it on steroids."
Austin is one of eight cities selected to host the inaugural series. The Gamblers won the first draft lottery in January and will have the opportunity to select top riders for its team May 23 in Arlington, TX. The series will launch in June, according to a release.
Gaffney said in its 30 years, PBR has gained a following that extends far beyond traditional rodeo lovers, and he hopes that enthusiasm will continue in Austin with the introduction of the Gamblers.
"Austin is an incredible fan base, and the Gamblers will bring the opportunity for Central Texans to rally around another professional sports team," team owners Egon and Abby Durban said in a March 1 news release introducing the team. "The Gamblers are honored to call Austin and this special region home, and we invite all Central Texans to join us in embracing them. We are honored to invest here.”
Speaking from his years of experience helping develop the Round Rock Express, Gottsch said the Gamblers can provide an opportunity for new and old Austinites alike to rally behind a home team.
Further expanding on the growing diversity of sports options in the Austin area, Gottsch also referenced a new pro team that just started its second season.
"For everybody that's moved here in the last 10, 15 years, to be able to get on to a new team—Austin FC—and be a part of that fan base was super exciting," he said. "I hope that we can have similar success for all the people that have moved here. This is a brand new team, a chance to get on right at the beginning and ride with us."
Presale for Gamblers tickets begins Mar. 14, and they will officially go on sale March 21 at www.pbr.com, www.ticketmaster.com, www.moodycenteratx.com, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.
