In a history making development, Professional
Bull Riders' (PBR) stock contractors Jerry Nelson of Frontier Rodeo Company and
Tom Teague of Teague Bucking Bulls, LLC. confirmed that they are forming a
partnership that will immediately affect two very high profile bucking bulls.
Teague will now own half interest in the unridden 2005 PBR World Champion Bull
Big Bucks, as well as half interest in Frontier Rodeo Company's Rocket Man.
At age five, both bulls are in their prime and each is a serious contender for
the prestigious 2006 PBR World Champion Bull honor. Nelson, whose main
headquarters are in Winnie,
Texas, and Teague of Winston-Salem, N.C.,
both confirmed that Big Bucks and Rocket Man will buck exclusively at PBR
events.
Rocket Man, whose name will be changed to "Scene
of the Crash," will buck under the ownership of Nelson, Teague and Ron White. Originally from Texas, Ron White is
known for his outstanding comedic performances with Jeff Foxworthy, Bill
Engvall, and Larry the Cable Guy on the Blue Collar Comedy Tour.
While the sum involved in the transaction will
remain undisclosed, Nelson referred to it as one of the biggest deals to take
place in the history of the bucking bull business. "I think it will open the
door for other big deals in this business in the future. I'm in this
partnership for the long haul and what we do may spill over into some other
interests. The bottom line for me with the bull business is that I'm going to
have fun. When I'm not having fun, I'm out. This is an exciting deal for both parties."
In 23 Built Ford Tough Series presented by
Wrangler (BFTS) outs Big Bucks has yet to be ridden and his average buck off
time is a short 3.56 seconds. His average bull score is 45.3 points out of a
possible 50. Scene of the Crash, a.k.a. Rocket Man, was ridden once in 2004 in
what was just his second BFTS out and once early on in the 2005 season. In 31
career outs Rocket Man has earned an average bull score of 44.1 points. Both
bulls made their tour debut in 2004.
Said Teague, "I talked to various cowboys like
J.W. Hart, Ross Coleman, and Adriano Moraes for their input on these bulls, and
on what bulls the guys feel are the best out there. It goes without saying what
Big Bucks has accomplished by earning the 2005 World Champion Bull honor, and a
lot of people are watching Rocket Man this year. They are both serious
contenders."
Nelson and Teague each have impressive accomplishments
in the bucking bull industry. Nelson's bull business began in 1993 and has
evolved into one of the largest of its kind in the country. He is also heavily
involved with the PBR as an event promoter of many of the top Challenger Tour
and Enterprise Rent-A-Car Tour events across the country. Teague is currently a
member of the PBR Board of Directors and has spent the past several years building
a prolific bucking bull breeding and performance program.
"I got to know the bull riders first in the PBR
and very soon I realized that there are two key components that make a bull
riding exciting. At that point I became very interested in the bulls,"
explained Teague. "I'm really excited about this partnership. Jerry made it
clear that he would not sell either Big Bucks or Rocket Man outright, but he
was willing to sell half interest. It's important to me that our deal
stipulates that these bulls will be strictly PBR bulls. The PBR guarantees the
best bull riders in the world and accordingly we have to bring them the best
bulls," concluded Teague.
Teague owns half interest in the infamous
three-time (2002-2004) PBR World Champion Bucking Bull, Little Yellow Jacket. Bucking
Bull of the 2003 PBR World Finals Neon Nights is owned by Teague Bucking Bulls,
while High Money Bull of the 2005 season, Mossy Oak Mudslinger, is owned by
D&H/Teague Bucking Bulls.
