From the Great Falls Tribune.........
Editor’s Note: Karl Stressman has been commissioner of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association since 2008, during which the organization has grown in size and popularity. In recent weeks, though, several controversies have rocked the PRCA’s administration and membership. There has been talk of the National Finals Rodeo moving from Las Vegas to Florida. And in recent days a group of famous rodeo athletes announced possible plans to break away from the PRCA and form their own organization. Stressman was traveling last week, but took the time to return our call for this special Sunday Conversation.
Sports Editor Scott Mansch
Question: Thank you for calling back, Mr. Stressman. We’re in the middle of our big rodeo of course. I’m wondering if you’ve ever been to Montana for our Circuit Finals?
Answer: Yes. Actually I was there last year.
Q: Would you mind sharing your impressions of our event?
A: You bet. We’ve got family in Great Falls. I had a great time up there. It was cold, but I had a wonderful time. Great hospitality.
Q: Oh. What family members live here?
A: My stepson is in the Air Force there. His wife is a graduate from the Naval Academy and she is, I believe, just joined the Air Force reserves. So they’re a military family. They’re great kids with two children.
Q: And they’re rodeo fans, too, I assume?
A: Yes sir (laughs).
Q: Where are you originally from and what was your professional background prior to joining the PRCA?
A: I grew up in Arizona and went to the University of Arizona. I was at Wrangler corporate for many, many years before moving to Colorado Springs and taking on the commissioner’s job with the PRCA. It’s been interesting.
Q: Well, I know there are ups and downs with any job. Has it been a stressful few weeks for you, sir, in light of the controversies involving Las Vegas and a disgruntled group led by Trevor Brazile?
A: You know what, I’m not sure that we allow (stress) to enter in. But unfortunately in today’s world, in my opinion social media doesn’t help. In fact I think it hinders. Social media has no filter – I don’t have a Facebook account and don’t want one — but I do believe that many people don’t do their due diligence before voicing opinion and that creates an opportunity for more people to do the same thing in response. And it’s a little difficult sometimes to control that environment … I think what we do is try to put the facts on the street and at that point in time do the best job we can. Our job is to protect the PRCA and to continue to keep the PRCA healthy and financially in good shape.
Q: The organization has been successful for so long, and I’m sure you would hope that it’s around for a long longer, correct?
A: I’m not concerned about the future of the PRCA. I just started my sixth year and we’ve got a great board of directors in place right now. They’re trying very diligently to make sure that the needs of the members are being met. Will we have 100 percent success? I doubt it very seriously, but that’s like any other thing. But we should strive to have as much success as we possibly can. But actually we’re strong. The numbers speak for themselves: numbers of rodeos and numbers of opportunities are up. We’re up 39 rodeos over the last two years. New rodeos. And that’s a big number for us. We’re over 600 for the first time in I can’t even tell you when. So those kind of things indicate that that part of it is successful. If we have issues, then those issues need to be brought to the PRCA and they need to be brought in a form that goes through the process. And certainly processes are slow. I understand that, but that’s the way it is in the world. So if people have objections or things that need to be addressed, there’s a process to go through and I can’t change that. Members can, but I can’t. I don’t even have a vote on that board, (although) I do have some influence. But that’s the way it works. There are processes to go through to make changes, and there has to be. The whole world is directed by rules and by-laws and we’re no different than anybody else.
Q: Well, Mr. Stressman, I’m sure you know Trevor Brazile very well. Is there any comment you’d have about this group of cowboys who are upset and threatening to leave the organization?
A: I have great respect for Trevor Brazile. He’s arguably the greatest cowboy that ever put on a pair of boots. I haven’t spoken directly to Trevor at this point in time. We have exchanged some communication by way of texts, but I have not talked to him directly. I’m not exactly sure, with what I’ve read and seen, with what’s happened since. I think everyone is aware that there was a meeting, and there were some proposals (by the cowboys) that were turned down by the board of directors by vote. I haven’t spoken to Trevor directly. But I will here at some point in time when it’s appropriate. I think he and I should discuss some of the issues that are out there. I have nothing but utmost respect for Trevor Brazile, and all the cowboys. We don’t want to be in a position to lose any member. We don’t want to be in a position to lose any rodeo committee. We don’t want to be in a position like that at all. Is it a matter of sitting down and trying to compromise through the issues? That would be my suggestion. But again, I will be glad to speak to him when I think the timing is correct.
Q: I know you’ve got another year for the NFR to be in Las Vegas. Could you please update the many rodeo fans in Montana about that situation?
A: The facts are, the board of directors and the administration of the PRCA look at it as their responsibility to look at every offer that’s on the table. There has been no decision made. I think the confusion came when the board of directors voted, the Sunday after the close of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, to not accept the offer on the table from Las Vegas, it was strictly a financial piece. It was strictly a “no vote” on that particular financial offer, period. At the same time, the commissioners from Osceola County (in Florida) had a meeting to address a memorandum of understanding with the PRCA that said ‘We are interested in hosting the National Finals Rodeo in the future.’ A memorandum of understanding is a suggestion that we understand that there’s a possibility that any other place could in fact bid on the National Finals Rodeo. That’s all it was. But in the process, the information that came out of that day’s discussions … there was obviously some confusion as to what the facts were. It came that that we were moving to Orlando. That is not the case. That has never been the case. Now, are we listening to other offers? Absolutely. We feel like that is our obligation to the members of this association, to look at the product and look at the options as to the dollars and all the other things that go along with it. That’s as simple as it. Are we listening? Of course we’re listening. Would we be derelict in our duties if we didn’t? I believe we would. I believe it would be a serious situation, a breach of our responsibilities, if we did not listen to the offers.
Q: Is it fair to say that Las Vegas Events and the PRCA are still having discussions, then?
A: Absolutely, absolutely. These guys have been our partners for 29 years. You have to do your due diligence to make sure the decisions are being done and they’re being done correctly. I think they have done it and I think we are doing it. Yes, absolutely we are talking.
Q: When might a final decision be made about the future site of the NFR, beyond next December?
A: I don’t have a particular time frame … but I will tell you this: Everybody has to make a decision rapidly. The board is aware of that. We need to make sure that whatever that decision is, that we need to make everybody aware of what the future looks like so everybody has the opportunity to go and do what’s necessary to make their piece of this work. So it’s soon. Sooner rather than lately, certainly.
Q: It was announced during the NFR that the TV rights will be moved from GAC to the CBS Sports channel. What were the reasons for switching?
A: From the minute this administration got to the PRCA, we said we were not going to spend the members’ money to put our product on TV. That if in fact we didn’t have a product that was worthy of sponsor dollars to put us on TV, then we weren’t going to have television. That was a commitment that I made five years ago and that has not changed. Therefore, when you read about the sponsors having influence on television, yes they do have influence. They’re providing money to the PRCA and that’s an investment to provide a better opportunity for their products. That’s as simple as it is. Did we get some input from our sponsors? Of course we did. They are our sponsors and we respect and are grateful that they are our sponsors. Part of the situation is that the sports channel was something that people have expressed an interest in. There are two ways to look at television in my opinion: one is to reward the fans that we currently have, and one is reward them and try to establish an additional fan base. And that was the basis for the decision as to what we made this year. CBS Sports channel is fast-growing, and so is our sport. We feel like it’s a good opportunity for us.
Q: The sport of rodeo is such a feel-good, family operation. And sometimes folks might wonder why everybody can’t just get along. I guess it’s part of your job to weather the storm. Is that true?
A: (laughs) Well, probably it is. But you know, so many times we have a tendency to dwell on whatever the negative parts are. Why we do this as a society, I don’t know. I certainly wish we didn’t. Sometimes I guess we choose to see the glass as half-empty instead of half-full. I think the PRCA is in a great position right now. I think the PRCA has shown that it certainly has staying power. We’ve been through two world wars and the depression. We’re in a position right now where our growth is significant. We put 800,000 people (in the stands) last year and a 1.5 million over the last two years. People like the sport of pro rodeo. Do we have some issues? Of course we do. Will we ever solve all the issues? Probably not. Even as much as I would like to, but the facts are let’s look at things in a positive manner. Let’s say we’re growing, let’s say we made money last year … We’ve got money in the bank, we’ve got a great board of directors right now. If we’ve got issues, let’s deal with those issues. We are as transparent as we can be at the PRCA. We’re not trying to hide anything from anybody. We wouldn’t do that. If there are issues, let’s deal with them. Now, everybody has to give a little. Nobody has their own way forever. You, me or anybody else. I don’t have my way at the PRCA and I certainly don’t have my way at home. And neither do you (laughs). We all see it in some shade of grey. So let’s put those things in place and let’s everybody work toward what’s best for the organization. Then I promise you, everybody wins.
Q: Is there any one last thing you’d have to say to the many great rodeo fans up here in Montana, Mr. Stressman?
A: Yes. I wish I was up there in Montana this week. Unfortunately I’m in a different part of the world. I enjoyed myself last year. People were wonderful to us up there. We are moving forward. It’s business as usual with the PRCA. If there are things that we need to consider or changes that need to be made, then let’s do it in a positive manner.
Q: Thank you for the time, sir.
A: You’re welcome, Scott. Thank you very much. We appreciate our fans up there and all across the country. Rodeo’s a great, great sport. And I promise you, we will solve our issues. That I guarantee you.
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