Professional Bull Riders Chair & CEO Jim Haworth called the 20th anniversary season of PBR "one of the tour's most rewarding," according to Dennis Darrow of the PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN. Haworth said, "We just had a fabulous year." In January, "another year of sellout crowds are expected" at MSG for the PBR's '14 season opener. In March, a "stop at the lavish AT&T Stadium in Dallas will feature a special $1 million challenge featuring top 2013 bull Bushwacker." February '15 also will "bring the movie premier of Nicholas Sparks' 'The Longest Ride.'" Sparks used PBR as the "backdrop for the story." Haworth said the movie "is one of those things that gains exposure to a wider audience. That broader exposure is good for our fans and good for our sponsors." He added, "We are a profitable sports property and we still see a lot of opportunity for growth." Haworth said that ticket sales this year were up about 11% and overall prize money "approached $10 million with Ford Trucks continuing as the title sponsor of the tour's premier Built Ford Tough Series." Ford's sponsorship of PBR goes back to '00 (PUEBLO CHIEFTAIN, 11/23).
