Michael Giltz: The Next Big Breakout Sport? Bull! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/the-next-big-breakout-spo_b_137552.html[4/5/2009 1:17:22 PM] APRIL 5, 2009 HOME POLITICS MEDIA BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT LIVING STYLE GREEN WORLD CHICAGO COMEDY 23/6 VIDEO BLOGGER INDEX ARCHIVE Make HuffPost Your HomePage Get Email Alerts Twitter: Follow Us BIG NEWS : Angelina Jolie | Madonna | Chris Brown & Rihanna | Paul McCartney | More...</p><p> LOG IN | SIGN UP Michael Giltz Posted October 24, 2008 | 12:48 PM (EST) BIO Become a Fan Get EmailAlerts Bloggers'Index The Next Big Breakout Sport? Bull! Read More: Adriano Moraes, Brazil , Bull Riding , Espn , Extreme Sports , Guilherme Marchi , Mixed Martial Arts , Pbr, Reese Cates, Entertainment News Few sports ever break into primetime the way NASCAR has in the past decade.</p><p> The pastime ofmiddle America, few people who followedNASCAR ever dreamed that the New York Timeswould be covering their events one day and thatdrivers would be stars in LA.</p><p> But it happened.</p><p> Now, other rising sports hope to make the same leap.</p><p> But some extreme sports -- like themotocross and skateboarding events highlightedon the X Games -- seem to have peaked even asthey make inroads into the Olympics.</p><p> Mixed martial arts is clearly the new boxing, but it's so bloody and violent that MMA will probably not beembraced by the traditional media.</p><p> Yet there is a sport that combines the heartland appeal ofNASCAR, the inherent danger of the X Games and the colorful personalities of MMA.</p><p> It'sexploding in popularity worldwide and gaining more and more coverage on national TV channelslike ESPN (which has a section of its website devoted to the sport), NBC, FOX and its main channel VERSUS.</p><p> The sport? Bull riding.</p><p> The PBR (Professional Bull Riders) is the group that oversees some 300 events in 5 countries, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Australia. (London looks like a possibility for next season, but those five countries are stalwarts that produce top riders on the tour.) Last week, I went back stage at the final PBR event of the season before the finals in Las Vegas taking place over two weekends from October 31 through November 9.</p><p> Getting up close to the action lets youknow how crazily dangerous bull riding can be.</p><p> Talking with 19 year old Rookie of the Yearcontender Reese Cates -- who has blogged about his time on the tour for ESPN -- makes clear thatthe PBR has a whole crop of rising stars who are media savvy and ready to spread the fun of bullriding to a wider audience the way Jeff Gordon and others did for NASCAR.</p><p> Not convinced? Here are some reasons to love the PBR and bull riding.</p><p> Be the First to Submit This Story to Digg Get Breaking News Alerts Share Print Comments never spam Popular Stories on HuffPost Fashion Face-Off! Michelle Obama And Carla Bruni-Sarkozy Finally Meet In France (VIDEO, PHOTOS, POLL) *Video, poll and slideshow Levi Johnston TalksSafe Sex With Tyra Banks (VIDEO) ***UPDATE*** 8:30pm: People.com is reporting that Sarah Palin has issued...</p><p> Oscar de la Renta Slams Michelle Obama's Buckingham Outfit As Major Designers FeelIgnored While Michelle Obamahas made lesser...</p><p> Verena von Pfetten 7 Lessons To BeLearned From Carla Bruni So here's the thing.There's no shortage of articles dedicated to thatcertain je ne...</p><p> Huff TV Arianna Discusses MichelleObama's "Fantastic" Style On CBS' Farrah Fawcett Is Hospitalized Madonna Tot's Dad Found: 'At Last I Can Be Part Of Mercy's Life' Reality Show Choreographer Accused Of Raping 4 Michael Giltz: The Next Big Breakout Sport? Bull! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/the-next-big-breakout-spo_b_137552.html[4/5/2009 1:17:22 PM]1.</p><p> It's dangerous -- Each rider has to try and stay on a bull for 8 seconds.</p><p> A team of bull fighters (not clowns; don't call men who risk their lives dozens of times a night clowns) are in place to draw the bull away from a rider after he's done or bucked off.</p><p> A lot of times the riders are so smooth it looks routine.</p><p> It's not. "This is the most dangerous sport in the world," says Cates, whose dad and granddad rode bulls and whose mom competed in barrel riding (an event at rodeos). "You're competing against something that's ten, 15 times your size and he doesn't care about anything but getting you on the ground and doing his job." 2.</p><p> The bulls are stars, too -- Unlike the cruel sport of bullfighting in Spain -- recently featured on 60 Minutes -- the bulls are not harmed in the PBR.</p><p> In fact, watch it for five minutes and you'll realize that the bull is just about the only person not in danger.</p><p> Cowboys wear spurs, but they'redull-edged and don't pierce the skin of the bull (which is six times thicker than human skin).</p><p> Bullsget a score just like the rider.</p><p> In fact, the better and more aggressive the bull, the better score arider who stays on can achieve.</p><p> And even if the rider is bucked off, the bull still gets a score -they're competing for Bull of the Year, just like the riders are competing for their own top title.Bulls win huge prizes at the end of the season and have fans who root for them.</p><p> They're treated asthe valuable steers they are and put out to pasture after their career is over.</p><p> Now hardcore PETAfans won't ever be satisfied, but most animal lovers will find the PBR celebrates the bulls, capturestheir personalities and treats them humanely. 3.</p><p> Bull riding is perhaps the only professional sport where no one is guaranteed a payday; not the rookies and not even the superstars -- "This is the only professional sport where we don't get paid just to show up," says Cates, an Arkansas native who is going to college in Texas and studying ag business while riding on the tour. "You have to ride and you have to win towalk away with money.</p><p> That's why you see guys riding with broke ribs and broke legs and stuff likethat - because they have families to feed.</p><p> You're not going to get paid unless you're out here puttingyour life on the line riding bulls." 4.</p><p> It's all-American -- They're cowboys, for gosh sakes.</p><p> And just like the story of the West isn't lily white but filled with immigrants and people of color, the PBR is just as diverse.</p><p> Competitors come from all over the world.</p><p> Some are like the hardscrabble boxers of the 1950s, people who see asport like this as their only way out of poverty.</p><p> Others are stars in their own country drawn by thelure of the US, the way Japanese baseball players come to the majors.</p><p> Currently, some of thebiggest names in the sport come from Brazil, including the most-decorated rider in PBR historyAdriano Moraes (who is retiring) and Guilherme Marchi, the most consistent rider of the last fouryears and the man poised to win the World Title in Vegas.</p><p> You'll see ads for trailer hitches andJack Daniels and smokeless tobacco if you go to a PBR event in person.</p><p> But before you make anyassumptions about the audience, listen to them cheer for Marchi or some of the other Brazilians (afew of whom speak as little English as other cowboys speak Portuguese). "The only word inPortuguese I know is 'oi,'" admits Cates. "And I don't even know what that means." (It's akin to"hey.") 5.</p><p> It's cheap -- Regular season tickets range from $10 to $100 for the best seats in the house.</p><p> The "Washington Unplugged" Arianna was on CBS' "Washington...</p><p> Alex Leo The "Real Housewives Of New York City" Flowchart Of Hate I'm a little embarrassed tolove this show as much as... "BRUNO" TRAILER! Calamity, African Babies, ChaseScenes And More (NSFW VIDEO) IT'S HERE! The trailer for this July's Sacha BaronCohen...</p><p> NATO Leaders Focus On Afghanistan, But Most Reject Obama's Plea For Troops (SLIDESHOW) STRASBOURG, France — On the eve of the NATO...</p><p> First Lady Fashion At Friday's NATO Concert (PHOTOS) Another night, anotherfashion opportunity forNATO leaders and their spouses! See...</p><p> Diana Palin, SarahPalin's Sister-In-Law, Arrested ForBreaking Into Home ANCHORAGE, Alaska —Police say Alaska Gov....</p><p> John Oliver Explains The Real Reason You Never Touch The Queen (VIDEO) John Oliver was upset enough to drop his monocle when he...</p><p> Obama Teases Reporter From India During Press Conference (VIDEO) Obama held a conferencepacked with press fromaround the world on Thursday.</p><p> He called...</p><p> Jim Cramer DeclaresThe Depression "Over" (VIDEO) On Thursday's episode of "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer declared that the depression...</p><p> Scientists Find Rocket Fuel Chemical In Infant Formula ATLANTA — Traces of a chemical used in rocket fuel were found in samples of...</p><p> Least Wasteful Cities In America (SLIDESHOW) It's great to love the cityyou live in, and better toMichael Giltz: The Next Big Breakout Sport? Bull! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/the-next-big-breakout-spo_b_137552.html[4/5/2009 1:17:22 PM] Michelle Obama's Clothing Has Sean Hannity All Out OfSorts RICHARD POPLAWSKI,Pittsburgh Gunman, Kills 3Police Officers Dr.</p><p> Rachel Ehrenfeld: DoesIran Harbor Osama binLaden? John Demjanjuk, Ohio ManAccused Of Being NaziGuard, Avoids Deportation Comments 6 Pending Comments 0 Reality Star Jade Goody Buried In Lavish...</p><p> Robert De Niro Nanny Sues For $40,000 Demi Moore's Twitter-Based Suicide Intervention Anti-Chris Brown Song Hits Radiosfinals in Vegas have tickets starting at $15.</p><p> And it's a great sport to watch on TV.</p><p> After one night, you'll be judging the rider and the bull with the same authority you judged divers and gymnasts during the Olympics.</p><p> But seeing it in person is the best way to realize what a rush the sport can be. 6.</p><p> It's more real than "The Real World" -- Unlike other sports, the cameras are EVERYWHERE at the PBR.</p><p> They're right on top of the action, but then they follow the riders off the field, backstage and into the locker room where sometimes they throw their equipment in disgust, get treated for injuries, joke with friends, or take a quick moment to say a prayer and thank God they're alive.</p><p> I really hate watching athletes pray after making a touchdown or hitting a home run (as if God cares) but it just seems natural to be grateful you're alive after facing a bull.</p><p> Athletes get upset but -- amazingly -- you rarely hear them curse, even when a 1500 pound bull is coming right at them. "Well, you know, it's a family sport," says Cates. "Whenever you step up to this level, you know that there's little kids at home watching you and there are kids in the stands.</p><p> The way I look at it is if I wouldn't say it in front of my mom or my little brother, I wouldn't say itanywhere else." You've got to think of your mom watching you at all times? He nods. "And she is." So give the PBR a chance during the finals or next season, which stretches from January into November and reaches all parts of the country.</p><p> Or read the blog of Reese Cates and get a glimpse into what it's like to risk your life every week. "That's one thing that's so great about being a bullrider," he says. "You have to have heart, you have to have the fire in your eye whenever you showup.</p><p> You have to want it and that's the way you get paid being a bull rider.</p><p> You have to be tough." More in Entertainment...</p><p> HuffPost Stories Surging Right Now Buy a link here Sponsored Links The Most $100K+ Jobs Search 72,384 Jobs that pay over $100,000 at TheLadders.com. www.TheLadders.com "My Teeth Are so White" Read the trick, discovered by a mom, to turn yellow teeth white.</p><p> CathysTeeth.com Arthritis Information Sign Up to Receive a Free Info Kit About Rheumatoid Arthritis. www.RAStraightTalk.com Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being Women's Rights Michelle Obama Europe Newspapers Cars War Wire Video Financial Crisis Barack Obama MORE BIG NEWS PAGES » Books by this author A cabin of one's own: New England's MacDowellColony celebrates 100years of artistic utopia.And the gay and lesbianartists who prosperedthere celebrate ... (Thenational gay & lesbiannewsmagazine) by Michael Giltz Affairs to remember:Farley Granger beddedAva Gardner, ShelleyWinters, and LeonardBernstein.</p><p> In hisautobiography, IncludeMe Out, Hitchcock's muse... (The national gay &lesbian newsmagazine) by Michael Giltzlove it for a reason like being green! FastCompany...</p><p> HUFFPOST'S BIG NEWS PAGES This Blogger's Books from Michael Giltz: The Next Big Breakout Sport? Bull! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/the-next-big-breakout-spo_b_137552.html[4/5/2009 1:17:22 PM] See Michael Giltz's Profile Comments are closed for this entryapproved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to View Comments: Newest First Expand All pbrfan2005 See Profile I'm a Fan of pbrfan2005 permalink I began watching the PBR about 3 years ago, my wife, my osn, and I enjoy watching it as a family.</p><p> If you have never been to a live event I highly recommend it, the riders are accessible and kids can havetheir pictures taken with them.</p><p> The whole event is entertainment, it's more than just bull riding going onin the arena.</p><p> The one thing I like about it is that the riders only get paid when they ride not for showingup and being a prima donna.</p><p> This alone makes the riders WORK as hard as they can just to makewhat seems like forever 8 seconds, at least you know you're getting every penny of your entertainment dollar.</p><p> I hope the sport does expand, it's great family entertainment.</p><p> Take the family to an event I guarantee you;ll enjoy it.</p><p> RobinSeattle See Profile I'm a Fan of RobinSeattle permalink But bull riding has been around forever and hasn't caught on as a mass appeal sport.</p><p> So I don't seehow you will expect it to do so now.</p><p> It could definitely be a regional thing like rodeo, perhaps.</p><p> It is just like how networks keep trying to force soccer down our throats and roller derby has gone through various unsuccessful incarnations.</p><p> Michael Giltz - Huffpost Blogger I'm a Fan of Michael Giltz permalink Bull riding as part of the rodeo has been around forever.</p><p> But rodeosare lengthy affairs and include calfroping and other events lots ofregular Joe animal lovers don't want to watch.</p><p> But the rodeo is whereI first fell for bull riding.</p><p> The PBR -- a separate tour devoted solely tothat event -- has only been around since 1992.</p><p> By fcusing on bull riding only, increasing the money to be won (people love big money events) and developing it for TV, the PBR has exploded the sports popularity.</p><p> It works really well on TV, it's been expanding way beyond the heartland where millions of people attend rodeos every year) to places like Vegas and New York City.</p><p> In the last eight years, the PBR has gone from being seen solely on basic cable channels like Versus to having more and more events carried on ESPN, NBC and FOX.</p><p> They've also got a crop of young, good-looking media friendly riderswho can help popularize the sport.</p><p> Plus, it features lots of stars from Mexico, Brazil and otherLatin American countries which can appeal to the growing Hispanic audience in the US.NASCAR was around for a long time before it hit the primetime.</p><p> Bull riding works great on TVand I believe it'll keep growing.</p><p> Thanks for reading.</p><p> Michael Giltz See Profile I'm a Fan of Michael Giltz permalink I had a nice steak at Michael Jordan's at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut before the PBR event and that'sas close as I ever want to get to a bull either.</p><p> Thanks for reading.</p><p> Bocona See Profile I'm a Fan of Bocona permalink It's about time PBR is recognized as a real sport.</p><p> We have been following it for the past five years andgo the PBR event when it comes to San Antonio, TX., which has only been in the last two years.Already, I saw the increase in spectators from the previous year.</p><p> It is exciting to watch.</p><p> The competionbetween riders is enormous, and the bulls are scary and amazing to watch too.</p><p> Sometimes I can't helpto think of those bulls as, steak on the hoof, though.</p><p> The PBR!!! Michael Giltz See Profile I'm a Fan of Michael Giltz permalink I had a nice steak at Michael Jordan's at Mohegan Sun in Connecticut before the PBR eventand that's as close as I ever want to get to a bull either.</p><p> Thanks for reading.</p><p> Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:45 AM on 11/10/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 10:50 PM on 10/26/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 01:34 PM on 10/27/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 03:01 AM on 10/25/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 12:43 AM on 10/25/2008 Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:58 AM on 10/25/2008Michael Giltz: The Next Big Breakout Sport? Bull! http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-giltz/the-next-big-breakout-spo_b_137552.html[4/5/2009 1:17:22 PM] HOME POLITICS MEDIA BUSINESS ENTERTAINMENT LIVING GREEN STYLE WORLD CHICAGO COMEDY FUNDRACE ARCHIVE Advertise | Login | Make HuffPost your Home Page | RSS | Jobs | FAQ: Comments & Moderation | FAQ: Huffpost Accounts | Contact Us Copyright © 2009 HuffingtonPost.com, Inc. | Archive | User Agreement | Privacy | Comment Policy | About Us | Powered by Movable Type You must be logged in to reply to this comment.</p><p> Log in or Ads by Google The Pro's Choice Huge Selection, Bigger Savings! Quality Gear, Great Service www.UglyFaceRodeoGear.com
