Currently, 35 and counting, pro rodeos have been either cancelled or postponed due to covid-19. As we all sit here and wonder when and pray for an end to the pandemic, I couldn’t help but notice the PRCA’s latest Instagram post. Obviously, like many others, I have a little more free time to scroll through social media. The latest post 3.18.20 was 60% off merch, I mean, I get it, they aren’t making money off of our entry fees at the moment. Before that, 3.17.20 post: standings shuffle with caption : *money bag emoji, *money face emoji “PRCA Standings Shuffle: 10 move up in top 15…” and my absolute favorite just before that 3.16.20 Stat of the Week…. Which is the amount of prize money the PRCA (arguable) has paid thus far in the 2020 season, 11,455,123. Granted yes that’s a large number, but when you keep in mind there are 7000 members, the mass majority of athletes who have competed in this season have no where near made a living wage off of professional rodeo. I’ve said this many times before and I will say it many more to come, rodeo is a gamble, you are never guaranteed a paycheck, yet it is a sport filled with the most dedicated group of athletes. This is where my frustration makes an entrance. Posting about the amount of money that has already been dolled out, DOES NOT change or distract us from the fact that the next few months, like a lot of Americans, our income will basically be non-existent. I’m confident in saying that the contestants will all be just fine, as they are some of the most adaptable, hard working people I know. That being said, we deserve to be informed of what the future holds for our career. Instead we are being told of cancellations just days before, and left torn between risking not only our and our communities health, but risking travel costs just to get the word of a cancellation upon arrival. I had faith that the PRCA would work closely with committees to ensure the safety of fans, sponsors, contestants and their families, while also working towards a plan of action to make up for this kink in the hose. With every social media post avoiding the current situation I loose some of that faith. I had hoped that the PRCA would understand the severity of the situation. I commend the committees that have found a way to reschedule their rodeo. This gives us hope that later on the 2020 season will return to as normal of a season as possible, once the state of emergency has passed. Obviously the PRCA can not tell the future, nor can they cure covid-19, but what they can do is keep its members informed, and work on a plan of action post-pandemic.
In short, George, the Covid-19 tab on the pro rodeo site is not enough.