PRCA commissioner Stressman Interview

Scott Mansch, sports editor for the Great Falls Tribune, interviewed PRCA Commissioner Karl Stressman.  Below are some excerpts from the interview which I have selected because they pertain to the NFR, the recently expressed concerns of rodeo contestants, and the move from GAC to CBS Sports.

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: 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.

The complete interview is here and I would encourage everyone to read it.  I did notice a couple of things.  Stressman says Brazile is "the greatest cowboy" and he has the "utmost respect" for him, and yet he hasn't talked to him.  Is that showing respect?  And when will he talk to Brazile? Stressman says, "when I think the timing is correct."  That's a control move, trying to demonstrate he will determine the time and place for any talking.  In another part of the interview he discusses social media, "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 …"  There's that control thing again.  And of course putting more cowboys on the board would give them more control, and Stressman less.