Jeffrey Pollack Takes on Leadership Role with PBR

Hey, check it out … former WSOP Commish Jeffrey Pollack has been elected to the Professional Bull Riders Board of Directors as Executive Chairman.

Will make some calls to find out if he\’ll be in charge of running Mexican Sweat Poker, launching a new age for what has always been a favorite event for children and fans of rodeo clowns in general. Until then … the link above will take you to the business brief in USA Today. And click below for the full press release from the PBR:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PBR Enhances Leadership Structure

PUEBLO, Colo. (June 1, 2010) – The Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR) on Tuesday announced three important changes to its senior leadership structure.

First, Jeffrey Pollack has been elected to the PBR Board of Directors as Executive Chairman and will immediately take an active role in leading the PBR board and senior management team into a new phase of global competition, brand and business growth.

Most recently, Pollack was President and Commissioner of the World Series of Poker. Under his leadership since 2005, the WSOP was fundamentally reinvented as a business, transformed into a worldwide sports and entertainment phenomenon, and crossed the $1 billion mark in total prize money awarded.

Pollack, a two-time Emmy® Award winner, has also worked in senior capacities for NASCAR and the National Basketball Association, and was founding President and Publisher of The Sports Business Daily.

“I’m honored to join the board of directors of this exciting sport,” said Pollack. “My goal is to help the PBR build on its proven track record of success, reach out to new fans globally, and further celebrate the world’s best bull riding competition.”

Second, Sean Gleason, a 10-year executive of the PBR and current COO, now adds the title of PBR President. Gleason’s new responsibilities will include Co-Chairing the PBR Competition and Conduct Committees. He will also represent the PBR on the board of directors of ABBI, the world’s leading registry and services organization for bucking bulls.

“The PBR is experiencing its 16th consecutive year of unprecedented growth and our future is very bright,” said Gleason. “I’m thrilled to be a part of that future and look forward to working with Jeffrey, Spire Capital and the board as we create new opportunities for the sport.”

Third, Ty Murray, one of the 20 original cowboys who founded the PBR in 1992 — and one of the sport’s most celebrated and legendary riders — has been named Co-Chair of the PBR Competition and Conduct Committees, along with Gleason. Murray, PBR co-founder and member of the board of directors, will continue to serve as a board advisor, global PBR brand ambassador, sport commentator and host of the annual Ty Murray Invitational. Cody Lambert, PBR founder, board advisor and executive, will also continue his active involvement with the Competition Committee.

“I’m extremely proud of what we’ve been able to do for this sport in the past 18 years, and I’m as passionate about it now as I’ve ever been,” said Murray. “There’s still enormous potential, and I believe with this team in place, we’ll continue to grow the sport, brick by brick, for both our fans and the riders.

“Cody and I are fully committed to the organization and its future, and are excited about the new leadership and the opportunities ahead of us,” said Murray

“These changes enhance and solidify the leadership structure of the PBR,” said Rick Patterson, Chairman of the PBR and Principal of Spire Capital Partners, the majority investor in the PBR.

“Jeffrey has a proven track record of innovation in the sports and entertainment industry and his insights and leadership will help guide the PBR’s continued growth in the U.S and abroad.” said Patterson. “Sean is a key leader of the PBR operations and his elevated position and board roles reflect our recognition of the growth of his broader executive responsibilities at the PBR. Ty continues to be the leading ambassador of the PBR around the world. His commitment to protecting the sport’s history and heritage have been invaluable to the PBR and he is a distinguished leader to each member of the board and
sport.”

About the Professional Bull Riders, Inc. (PBR):
More than 100 million viewers tune in each year to the PBR on Versus, NBC, CBS and on television networks around the world. With approximately 400 hours of prime time programming annually, the PBR ranks among the most prolific sports on air. The PBR attracts nearly two million live event attendees each year to its marquee Built Ford Tough Series and the PBR Touring Pro Division. More than 1,200 PBR bull
riders compete every year in approximately 300 PBR sanctioned competitions in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico. The PBR was nominated as 2010 Sports League of the Year at the Sports Business Journal Sports Business Awards alongside the National Football League, National Basketball Association and Major League Baseball.

For more on the PBR, please visit www.pbr.com, www.teampbr.com, www.pbr.tv,
www.myspace.com/teampbr, twitter.com/teampbr, or www.pbr.com/worldfinals/.

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