PBR Offered To Troops Worldwide Via American Forces Network For Third Straight Year

PUEBLO, Colo. ― The Professional Bull Riders has joined forces for the third consecutive year with the American Forces Network to bring the 2014 PBR Built Ford Tough Series and the 2014 Built Ford Tough World Finals to more than 1 million American service members, Department of Defense civilians and their families worldwide. 

In 2012, troops overseas were able to enjoy the PBR World Finals from Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center on AFN. In 2013, AFN expanded its efforts and broadcasted several BFTS events, starting with the Kawasaki Invitational, presented by Cooper Tires, which took place in St. Louis on Feb. 15-17. 

This year, the BFTS will be shown for all the PBR fans overseas defending our country beginning this weekend as the LiftMaster Chute Out takes place in Anaheim, Calif., Feb. 7-9. 

The toughest sport on dirt is part of an extensive sports lineup on AFN including ESPN’s “SportsCenter” and live and delayed broadcasts of the NFL, NBA, NASCAR, MLB, NHL, NCAA football, NCAA men’s and women’s basketball, MLS soccer, PGA Tour, and other highly-rated team competitions. 

“For the third year in a row, we are honored to be able to offer PBR events to the service men and women who dedicate their time to protecting our rights and freedoms,” PBR Chairman and CEO Jim Haworth said. “They touch our lives daily with their commitment, so this is only a small way for us to thank them and provide them a little piece of home during their deployment.”

“We are pleased to continue and strengthen our relationship with the Professional Bull Riders,” said Corey Slutsky, chief of AFN sports programming. “To bring the action and excitement of the Built Ford Tough Series to the U.S. military service members and their families deployed around the world, allows us to continue to provide the best sports to our deserving audience.” 

The PBR features the world’s Top 35 bull riders and the fiercest bucking bulls in the country. Twenty-seven events will take place across 18 states in the United States this year, culminating in the PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas Oct. 22-26 at the Thomas & Mack Center. The best bull riders in the world will compete all season, trying to accumulate the valuable points needed to rise to the top and become the PBR World Champion, a title that comes with a $1 million bonus and the coveted PBR World Champion buckle. 

Courtesy Professional Bull Riders PR