PUEBLO, Colo. – The 2022 PBR Team Series Draft, presented by ZipRecruiter, may officially be in the rearview mirror, but roster construction is still ongoing for all eight teams set to compete at the season-opener on July 25-26 at Cheyenne Frontier Days.
Full team rosters will be comprised of 12 riders: seven Protected Roster riders and five Practice Squad riders. Teams drafted their first five riders at the Initial Draft on May 23 at Texas Live! in Arlington, Texas. Eligible riders included 269 who officially declared availability to compete for a team at all 11 2022 PBR Team Series events (10 regular-season events and one Championship event in Las Vegas).
In addition, teams will participate in a two-round Supplemental Draft on June 2, which will feature 28 riders who officially declared availability to compete in at least five regular-season events, plus the Championship event (but not all events).
Initial draft-eligible riders who were not drafted immediately became unrestricted free agents. Undrafted Supplemental Draft riders immediately become unrestricted free agents after June 2.
All 40 riders selected during the initial Draft were automatically placed on their team’s protected roster.
League rules require the drafting team to keep these riders through at least the first two events of the season unless traded to another team’s protected roster. This rule ensures all drafted riders have an opportunity to be selected to compete at the first two PBR Team Series events. After the second event, teams may release these protected roster riders.
In addition to drafting five riders in the initial Draft and up to two riders in the Supplemental Draft, teams may sign additional riders (for a total of 12 riders) via free agency. The free agency window opened May 24 for initial-Draft undrafted free agents, and it will open June 3 for Supplemental Draft undrafted free agents.
During the regular season, each event day will feature all teams competing in games. The game format will be five-on-five, head-to-head matchups between two teams. There will be four games (i.e., eight teams) per event day. In advance of each event, teams will designate at least five riders and up to seven riders to travel to the event. Before each game, coaches will determine the starting lineup among their riders. With pens of five bulls randomly drawn to each team before each game, a coach’s starting lineup selection will be a compelling competition element as he chooses which rider to match up with which bull.
So how does a team build its roster for the upcoming PBR Team Series?
2022 PBR Team Series Draft vs. PBR Team Series Supplemental Draft
To be eligible to compete in the PBR Team Series, bull riders from the PBR, PRCA and any other organization had to officially declare their draft status with the PBR by May 6. Any rider who chose not to declare for the Draft is ineligible to compete in the 2022 PBR Team Series. One example is 2022 World Finals qualifier Josh Frost, who declined the opportunity to focus on his pursuit of the PRCA bull riding championship.
Fans can find the PBR Team Series Draft Results HERE.
Riders who declared for the PBR Team Series draft but were unwilling to commit to riding at all 10 regular-season event weekends and the PBR Team Series Championship were ineligible for the initial Draft (May 23) but can be selected by teams via the Supplemental Draft (June 2). Two-time World Champion Jess Lockwood and 2016 World Champion Cooper Davis declared partial-season availability, therefore will be featured in the Supplemental Draft.
The Supplemental Draft will be held via videoconference and will not be broadcast publicly. It is two rounds and will be a continuation of the draft order from the PBR Team Series Draft. Teams do not have to make a rider selection in the Supplemental Draft and can instead fill their roster with free-agent signings, but they must be represented on the videoconference by their GM and/or Coach.
Supplemental Draft Order
1. Oklahoma Freedom
2. Carolina Cowboys
3. Arizona Ridge Riders
4. Missouri Thunder
5. Kansas City Outlaws
6. Texas Rattlers
7. Nashville Stampede
8. Austin Gamblers
9. Austin Gamblers
10. Nashville Stampede
11. Texas Rattlers
12. Kansas City Outlaws
13. Missouri Thunder
14. Arizona Ridge Riders
15. Carolina Cowboys
16. Oklahoma Freedom
Injured Reserve
During the regular season, teams may designate to Injured Reserve any rider deemed unfit to ride by a consulting medical professional. Riders must be designated to IR for a minimum of two weeks. Riders injured in any sanctioned PBR events may be eligible for Injured Reserve pay based on League guidelines.
Trades
Teams may negotiate trades at any time for current riders to whom they hold the rights. Assets available for trade include future draft picks, players already drafted in the 2022 draft, contracted players, cash and/or future considerations. The PBR Team Series trade deadline is October 4, 2022.
Follow Justin Felisko on Twitter @jfelisko
Photo courtesy of Andy Watson/Bull Stock Media
