Though former World Champion Michael Gaffney retired from bull riding several years ago, he’s still a big voice for the sport.

When the PBR’s Built Ford Tough Series tour stopped in Albuquerque last weekend, Gaffney was in the Versus broadcast booth offering color commentary on the three performances.

Gaffney, 40, is the 1997 PBR World Champion, though clinching the title 13 years ago wasn’t easy. When he entered the 1997 World Finals, there was no margin for error.

In order to clinch the gold buckle, Gaffney had to stay on all five bulls to surpass Adriano Moraes, who had entered the Las Vegas championships with a big lead. Gaffney had caught a break when Moraes broke his leg in a late-season accident in Brazil.

And he did it. Gaffney stayed on every bull, and clinched the title by a narrow margin.

He’s also one of the association’s founding fathers. Gaffney is one of 20 bull riders who made an original $1,000 investment in 1992 to help get the association up and running.

Today, he and his wife Robyn live in the Albuquerque area where they raise two children.

In a recent interview, Gaffney answered questions about the PBR. He’s a big fan of former Chief Executive Officer Randy Bernard, but says there’s still plenty of growth potential for a new CEO to capitalize upon.

He also believes that the World Cup is a huge event, and points out that the United States and Brazil are expected to be strong title contenders at the 2010 edition, which is scheduled for April 16-18 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

In Gaffney’s early days of pro bull riding in the 1990s, cowboys competed for smaller purses. Though today’s stars don’t have to endure the same type of hard times, Gaffney said he’s elated that conditions have improved dramatically.

In a recent interview, Gaffney answered questions about the PBR and its future.

Q. If you could go back 15 years, would you have ever thought the PBR would be where it is now?

A. All we wanted to do was have a little more say-so in the outcome of our livelihood. Knowing the risks that our bodies were putting up and that our necks were on the line, we wanted more say-so on our destiny. But we so quickly surpassed that goal after we formed the PBR. Its success can be summed up in two words: Randy Bernard. He was the guy who said we can do this if we all stick together.

Q. We all are aware that Randy has moved on, and the PBR may soon have a new CEO. What would you like to see happen over the next two years?

A. I’d like to see us reach some untapped sources, maybe some markets that we haven’t been in, more growth in our telecast audiences and growth in our sponsorships. We want to successfully go to companies such as [laundry products and pain relievers]. Sources like that are a perfect fit for the PBR, but they are untouched. When it comes to a new CEO, we want someone to come and take the reins and move fast because we’ll still have a long way to go.

Q. What are some main differences between your generation of bull riders and the bull riding stars of today?

A. We were starving. If we won $50,000 to $60,000 in a year’s time, we were doing something, and you were busting across the country to get that accomplished. But I don’t think that the top bull riders of today have to ride out of necessity. In retrospect, I’m glad for that. It’s like me talking to previous generations who had to walk 14 miles uphill in the snow to get to the bus stop. So, why would you wish that one anybody? I’m glad that we live in a day when a rider can fall off one week and ride for the same amount of big money the next weekend. I’m glad these younger guys are spoiled rotten.

Q. The PBR is on the brink of the 2010 World Cup in Las Vegas. It’s still a newer event for the PBR. What’s the strength of the World Cup?

A. It’s our way to feature an event that’s similar to the Olympics. It’s country against country and it’s that competitive attitude that plays a huge part. It’s country pride that plays a huge part in the competitive sports in the world. After our first year of holding the World Cup [in 2007 in Australia], it’s like everybody realized that I’m not just riding for me this time, I’m riding for the land I live on.

Q. Last year, the U.S. shamed the Brazilians by clinching the title when the World Cup was held in Barretos, Brazil. What do you think the outcome could be this year?

A. The U.S. will always be a possible winner at the World Cup just because of the sheer talent that we possess. But mind you, the Brazilians are very tough and talented. This year, they have [2008 PBR World Champion] Guilherme Marchi, they have [2008 World Finals average winner] Robson Palermo, and then they have Renato Nunes to pick from. He’s a rider who had five 90-point rides in a row [in the final round at Glendale, Ariz., in all three rounds at Fresno, Calif, and in the first round in Albuquerque, N.M.]. Even though Renato hasn’t been confirmed at the PBR office that he’s on the team, I think he’s proven himself enough for Adriano [Moraes, the Brazilian captain] to put him on the team.

Q. You go back a long way with Ty Murray and you work his show in Albuquerque as a TV commentator. What does it mean to be part of the event?

A. Ty and I don’t typically get to work the telecasts together. They usually split up former bull riders such as myself, Ty, and J.W. Hart and have each person work a different telecast. So, it’s a real treat to sit with Ty, because we went to the National High School Rodeo Finals at the same time, we did college rodeo in the same region together, we rode bulls professionally at the same time, and then we also were on the PBR board of directors. Over the last 20 years, our lives have intertwined a lot.

Q. How does it feel to continually be involved with the PBR?

A. In the 15-plus years that we’ve been around, it’s like we’ve suddenly gone from an immature almost infant to straight into adulthood. A lot has happened really, really fast. So to still be able to be involved with all of the transitions and even some of the turmoil is a really fortunate thing for me, because I really love being around all of the guys.

Q. Now that you’re retired from bull riding and you’re raising a family, what is your day-in and day-out life like?

A. It’s very enjoyable. Does it get hectic? Yes, it does when you have two children, one who is almost eight and one who is almost two. We’re constantly taking them to activities such as soccer. On the whole, my life is very fulfilled. When I’m home, I’m also building and remodeling and doing something that I really love. I’m constantly getting my hands dirty. But I still get to be very involved with the PBR and I have the best of both worlds. The good thing is I don’t have to worry about dealing with bull riding injuries anymore.

NEWS and NOTES

See the World: Tickets for the 2010 World Cup may be purchased by calling 1-866-PBRSHOW, or visiting www.unlvtickets.com. Hotel rooms and packages can be reserved at Treasure Island, the official host hotel of the World Cup. Not only will Treasure Island be home to the riders during the World Cup, but the hotel and casino will also play host to various World Cup after parties, and be “home base” for all PBR activity during the World Cup. For more information about prices and to reserve a room now, go to www.treasureisland.com or call (800) 288-7206.

— by Brett Hoffman