A “bunch of bull” might not sound like something very desirable for a city to have, but in this case it is.
The Carolinas’ first professional bull riding team has relocated to Greensboro and the Greensboro Coliseum – giving area residents a chance to see a lot more of the somewhat uncommon entertainment option for this part of the country.
The Carolina Cowboys, the bull riding team that competes in the Professional Bull Riders Team Series (PBR) announced this week that the team will relocate to Greensboro, starting in the 2023 season. The Cowboys will host its first home PBR event at the Greensboro Coliseum Friday, Sept. 22 through Sunday, Sept. 24.
The team is moving to Greensboro after competing at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Winston-Salem.
Greensboro has been expanding its entertainment options in recent years and economic development officials frequently talk about the importance of having a wide variety of options when it comes to attracting new businesses and new residents.
Greensboro Mayor Nancy Vaughan stated in a press release announcing the team’s decision that this will build on the progress the city has already made in regard to its sports offerings.
“Greensboro has long been known as a sports town, and we are thrilled to add to that reputation as we welcome North Carolina’s first Professional Bull Riding team, the Carolina Cowboys, to the Greensboro Coliseum,” the mayor stated. “I can’t wait to dust off my cowboy hat and join everyone for ‘Cowboy Days’ on September 22-24 at the Greensboro Coliseum to watch our Carolina Cowboys compete against some of the best bull riders in the country in a new league that’s made the most exciting eight seconds in sports even more thrilling.”
Vaughan did not say whether or not she would ride a bull in a first honorary ride to open the September event.
Greensboro has hosted bull riding events before, but having a home team located in the city could raise the interest in the sport locally to a new level. For many area residents, the closest they’ve ever been to the sport is riding a mechanical bull at Arizona Pete’s after seeing Urban Cowboy one too many times.
But now the city will have the real deal as an ongoing attraction.
Carolina Cowboys owner Richard Childress said that he thinks this will be a great thing for the team and the region.
“We’re thrilled to be able to keep the Carolina Cowboys in the Piedmont-Triad and bring professional bull riding to Greensboro in 2023,” he stated.
Childress added that the goal is to “introduce an entirely new generation of fans to Western sports.”
The 2018 Daytona 500 Champion Austin Dillon serving as General Manager while Bull riding legend and PBR co-founder Jerome Davis will serve as the Cowboys’ head coach.
Two items- Has the Humane Society been asked their thoughts about the abuse of the bulls if this “bull-riding” sport finds its way into Greensboro’s classy entertainment?
As to the further taxing of “eat-in” or “eat-out meals to help fund TANGER CENTER, wasn’t it suppose to be self sustaining by the caliber of its presentations?? The extra tax on food might cause a reduction in diners AND thereby cause many employees and some food establishments to lose their income?
Of course, parking deck cost can be increased to handle $’s lost because of fewer attendees at downtown attractions!
I feel bad for the bulls. Abusive and unnecessary. Why must your sport be based on violence toward these poor tormented animals. They have as much right to peace as the rest of us, and to live a natural life. They have only their health and their life and we manage to take that from them. I don’t see any fun in it. Can’t you do a mechanical bulls, sort of taking off of the athletic competition shows like American Nija warrior?
How are bulls made to buck? Pretty ugly animal abuse here. Mandate Mayor however loves anything to distract from real problems in our city.
Greensboro’s new sport is now the confiscation of wealth. They are learning how from Chicago.