PBR China Series delayed
The Professional Bull Riders announced today that the debut of the PBR in China is being postponed. The much-anticipated series of events originally scheduled to run from August to October 2014 in Qingdao, Nanjing and Shanghai, China, will now be revisited in 2015.
“We always knew that there would be extensive complexities associated with this endeavor,” PBR Chairman and CEO Jim Haworth said. “In order to produce a series this year, we knew it would take virtually a miracle to navigate the many obstacles associated with the approval process and the events’ production. James [Wang] and his team’s hard work nearly delivered that miracle. Unfortunately, however, unforeseen circumstances have made us step back and honestly review our position. While we’re excited to bring the PBR to China, we want to ensure that we enter the Chinese market in a style that accurately represents the PBR and the sport of bull riding to the people of China.”
James Wang, the CEO of Xinniu International Sports Culture Company, which is based in Beijing, approached PBR Australia in 2013 about bringing the sport to China. In early 2014 a partnership was finalized and plans were fast-tracked for a late summer 2014 debut. Present circumstances and scheduling make it necessary to push the debut until at least the summer of 2015.
“When it happens, PBR’s arrival in China will be a historic moment,” Wang said. “China will have the opportunity to experience the authentic cowboy culture, and observe firsthand the brave and resilient spirit of these hardworking athletes. We appreciate Jim Haworth and the entire PBR staff for their hard work and dedication while preparing for the upcoming tour and are looking forward to continuing our work together.”
More than 30 million households in China have watched highlights of the PBR’s elite Built Ford Tough Series on CCTV.
“While they won’t be the easiest events we’ve ever produced,” Haworth said, “when the series kicks off, it will probably be the most highly-anticipated.”
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About the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR)
The world’s premier bull riding organization, the PBR, turns 21 in 2014. In just two decades, the dream of 20 bull riders has become a global sports phenomenon with PBR broadcasts reaching more than half a billion households in 50 nations and territories around the world, and more than 2.5 million fans attending live events each year. PBR has paid out more than $130 million in earnings to its athletes, and 25 riders have earned more than $1 million, including Justin McBride with $5.5 million ― the most of any western sports athlete in history. For more information on the PBR, go to PBR.com, or follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/PBR, Twitter at Twitter.com/PBR, and YouTube at YouTube.com/PBR.
Media Contact:
Denise M. Abbott, Sr. Director, Public Relations
(719) 242-2800, ext. 3372
dabbott@pbr.com