BOERNE, Texas, Aug. 26, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, Elite Rodeo Athletes (ERA) makes rodeo history, officially unveiling a deal with FOX Sports that will telecast the entire ERA season and World Championship event in 2016. With more than 42 hours of programming, the ERA will have the largest household network audience in professional rodeo.
ERA, a rodeo corporation created by the top rodeo athletes in the world, signed a multi-year deal that will launch with the beginning of the ERA Tour in March 2016. The tour will consist of 15 regular-season events culminating with a 5-day World Championship event in Dallas, Texas, all broadcasted by FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports 2.
"For the first time in the history of rodeo, fans from all over the country will be able to watch the race to an ERA World Championship on FOX Sports, a national television network, that is a sports icon. FOX Sports 1 & FOX Sports 2 gives us the opportunity to showcase the sport of rodeo on a national stage," said Trevor Brazile, 21-time World Champion and ERA Athlete.
Tony Garritano, CEO and President of ERA said, "Having an industry leader in sports television such as FOX Sports will provide the ERA a national platform in which to showcase professional rodeo at its highest level. FOX Sports has shown its commitment to the sport of rodeo. Due to their various national networks that have considerable reach, ERA will now be showcased in more homes across the country than any other organization in the history of rodeo. We are excited and honored to be part of the FOX Sports family. We can't wait to bring the athleticism and excitement of ERA rodeo to living rooms across the country."
"We are thrilled to work with Elite Rodeo Athletes to televise these exciting and action packed rodeos," says Patrick Crakes, FOX Sports SVP of Programming, Research & Content Strategy. "The ERA fits nicely with our ever expanding portfolio of live event programming and we're confident our audience will be just as excited as we are when we launch the series in 2016."
ABOUT FOX SPORTS
FOX Sports is the umbrella entity representing 21st Century FOX's wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets. Built with brands capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FOX Sports includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FOX Sports includes the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2; FOX Sports Regional Networks, their affiliated regional web sites and national programming; FOX Soccer Plus; FOX Deportes and FOX College Sports. In addition, FOX Sports also encompasses FOX Sports Digital, which includes FOXSports.com, FOX Sports GO, Whatifsports.com and Yardbarker.com. Also included in the Group are FOX's interests in joint-venture businesses Big Ten Network and BTN 2Go, as well as a licensing agreement that establishes the FOX Sports Radio Network.
ABOUT THE ERA
The ERA is a "League of Champions" where only the world's best rodeo athletes and livestock will compete against each other at every tour stop and rodeo. The tour was created with rodeo fans in mind, so they can easily follow their favorite athletes throughout the tour, which will be 15 regular-season events culminating with a 5 day World Championship event in Dallas, November 9-13, 2016 at the American Airlines Center. Fans will be able to watch only the best athletes and animals compete against each other, either in person or by watching the journey on FOX Sports.
The top 52 rodeo athletes in the world created the ERA, 30 of which are World Champion Rodeo Cowboys & Cowgirls. More exciting announcements about the 2016 tour including dates will be coming soon and will be released through ERArodeo.com and ERA's Facebook and Twitter feeds (@ERArodeo).
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