The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority BOD yesterday approved an 11-year extension to its contract with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association “guaranteeing” the city will host the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas through 2035, according to Richard Velotta of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. The board unanimously approved spending $33M -- $3M per year -- beginning in 2025, to sponsor the NFR. The board also approved spending an additional $500,000 for this year’s rodeo to “market Las Vegas at many of the 650 rodeos in 44 states and four Canadian provinces leading up to the finals.” Velotta noted an estimated 340,000 people travel to Las Vegas annually for the rodeo, “most of them taking in the Western ambience and not attending a performance.” Officials said that the rodeo produces a $200M economic impact for the city. LVCVA President & CEO Steve Hill yesterday said, “It is something that both PRCA and Las Vegas wanted to make happen.” Hill said, “They did explore leaving. At one point, I think, they said they were actually going to. And what they found is that the cowboys and the fans want to come to Vegas.” He added, “This town elevates everything that it has. They’ve realized that and that’s why they’ve made the commitment to stay” (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 4/9).
