Ellerman’s Rocky Commissionership Of PRCA Reviewed

Soon after former Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Commissioner Troy Ellerman pleaded guilty to leaking the grand jury testimony of MLBers in the BALCO case, the PRCA BOD awarded but “quickly rescinded” a payoff of $208,000 to Ellerman after his resignation, according to Erin Emery of the DENVER POST. That move is “viewed by some cowboys as just the latest misstep by the organization,” which also “may face an investigation” by the IRS. After a year’s salary was offered to Ellerman, “cowboys lit up phone lines” at the PRCA’s HQs and the BOD “reversed itself, withdrawing the parting gift” for Ellerman, who had two years remaining on his contract. PRCA Chair & interim CEO Keith Martin said, “The board listened to the membership. If there’s anything positive about it, that was positive.”

ELLERMAN’S DEALS: Emery noted Ellerman in ’05 sold licensing rights for the PRCA’s Extreme Bulls to TV sports production company Winnercomm, and Pro Rodeo Tours was sold to Pro Rodeo Tours LLC/Grit Rock, owned by Wild Vice Chair Jac Sperling. But former PRCA COO Larry McCormack, who was hired and fired by Ellerman, said that those agreements “make no sense.” McCormack, who told the FBI that Ellerman leaked testimony, intends to sue the PRCA for $500,000 for wrongful termination. PRCA BOD member Steve Gilbert said that the licensing arrangements “were made in secret.” Gilbert: “It was not approved by the [BOD]. I had no knowledge of it, and I know several others had no knowledge of it” (DENVER POST, 3/4).