Paulo Crimber and Colby Yates have spent more than half their lives connected to the PBR.
The explosive growth of the world's premier bull riding series has surprised even them.
"Growing up, I never really thought it would get like this," said Yates, a native Texan, who had 10 PBR victories and more than 550 outs in his career. "You kept having these milestones of guys making $10 thousand, $20 thousand, $30 thousand, $40 thousand, $50 thousand. And then in 2003, you had a million dollar bonus.
"Yeah, there have been struggles, like anything else, but the PBR has done such a great job with being innovative and coming up with new ways to engage fans, it just seems like the sky is the limit."
Yates, who has transitioned effectively into a top PBR broadcaster, said exchanging his bull rope for a microphone was not easy.
"I would say at one point, I really truly believed it would last forever," the 40-year-old Yates said. "I thought maybe there'd be a day when I'd walk up in a walker, put it to the side, and get on a bull."
Crimber can relate.
The Brazilian's last ride was in 2012, but he always knew bull riding would remain at the center of his life. He's done a "little bit of everything," for the PBR, including judging and translating, and his son is an up-and-comer.
"I never thought about retiring because I love it so much," Crimber said. "Whatever I can do to stay involved, I am happy to do. It's been my life."
Crimber and Yates are now joining forces as part of the new PBR Team Series. Yates will serve as manager of the Arizona Ridge Riders. Crimber is the coach. The series makes its debut this weekend at the Bismarck Event Center as part of Chad Berger's 22nd annual event.