ARLINGTON, Texas – The coronavirus pandemic has flipped the sports world upside down. We’ve seen games, tournaments and seasons postponed, and even worse, canceled. The rodeo was no exception to being one of this year’s sporting events in danger. But with the help of one local cowboy, the rodeo season was salvaged by hosting the finals at Globe Life Field. 

The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo is the last event of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association’s competitive season. The championship has been held annually since 1959 and has been a December staple at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas since 1985. Due to Nevada’s COVID-19 restrictions, no fans were allowed to attend, which ultimately meant no ticket sales. And with no ticket sales, the competitors’ wallets would be empty. 

“A lot of the purse and prize money is generated from ticket sales,” said 2015 NFR world champion Jacobs Crawley. “There’s sponsors, media and things like that. But a substantial portion is based on fans in the stands."

Crawley is the 14th ranked saddle bronc rider in the world. However, he bears a more important role in the sport as the chairman of the PRCA board of directors. The board saved the finals by bringing the rodeo back to the Lone Star State. 

“We examined all the best- and worst-case scenarios given today’s circumstances,” said Crawley. “Best case is kind of where we’re at, which is a great NFR with a great payout and fans in the stands. The cowboys are happy with a great event."

The NFR was better than expected. Globe Life Field sold out 14,500 tickets for 10 consecutive nights. It was projected that the purse would be around $6 million. But because the event gained so much attention and sales revenue, the PRCA was able to award its cowboys and cowgirls the $10 million pot it’s seen in years past. 

Also, by switching venues, it gave the Crawley family an opportunity to drive down and watch Jacobs compete.

“We’re all pretty much from the same area so it’s pretty easy to get here,” said the Stephenville native. “I love having my wife and my boy here to see me. Plus my parents make the trip to Vegas every year so there’s no excuse not to drive down every night.”