Prize money increases to $2,355,000, Rodeo to take place March 2-3, 2019 at AT&T Stadium
RFD-TV’s The American will become a two-day event, making it the richest weekend in western sports at AT&T Stadium, a news release announced.
The American added Break-Away Roping and a #9 Team Roping for next year’s event March 2-3, 2019. AT&T Stadium and RFD-TV have agreed to a five-year deal to host RFD-TV’s The American Rodeo, according to the release.
“RFD-TV is so proud of what’s been accomplished over the past five years with The American,” Patrick Gottsch, founder of Rural Media Group Inc., said in the release. “I have so much respect for the PRCA and look forward to working together to take The American to even another level. I thank the Dallas Cowboys for their continued support and really appreciate the opportunity for a full weekend to now take The American to its full potential with this new 5-year agreement.”
Final qualification rounds will take place Saturday March 2, and the finals Sunday, March 3. The rodeo will be sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and will add $355,000 in additional prize money.
The PRCA is recognized as the leader in sanctioning the sport of professional rodeo and hosts the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (NFR). Points earned at The American will count towards NFR qualification.
“The PRCA is the premier rodeo organization in the world, and in a continued effort to bring our fans the biggest and best events, we are proud to be sanctioning The American and partnering with RFD-TV,” PRCA CEO George Taylor said in the release. “This is an exciting time for the PRCA as we open new avenues to improve the sport for our members and fans, and the inclusion of The American is a giant step in that process.”
RFD-TV has announced the addition of Break-Away Roping, and with it another 1,000 qualifiers with the change to compete at AT&T Stadium, to the rodeo’s list of events for 2019.
Additionally, the World Series of Team Roping will bring a #9 handicapped Championship Team Roping event to the American with a minimum guaranteed $100,000 in prize money. The #9 Team roping will be the culmination of several qualifier events with the finals being held at AT&T Stadium March 2.
“We are proud to continue and extend our partnership with Patrick Gottsch and RFD-TV as the hosts of RFD-TV’s the American Rodeo,” Dallas Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said in the release. “There is no better venue to experience this ground-breaking event than AT&T Stadium.”
The American will now pay prize money for all four places. The long round conducted on Saturday, March 3 will pay $50,000. The release also listed the new payouts for each event in the American Finals:
— First Place – $100,000
— Second Place – $25,000
— Third Place – $10,000
— Fourth Place – $5,000
RFD-TV’s The American will continue to work with Better Barrel Races and Ultimate Calf Roping for The American.
For more information, visit AmericanRodeo.com.