New Hall of Fame features immersive interactive experiences and rare memorabilia 

celebrating PBR’s history & legends  

WHAT:

Ahead of an action-packed weekend at Oklahoma City’s Paycom Center as the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) returns for the annual PBR Teams: Wildcatter Days homestand July 31- Aug. 2, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum will proudly unveil the PBR Heroes & Legends Hall of Fame at a media event on Thursday, July 30 at 10 a.m. 

 

A truly significant moment for PBR, the new hall of fame wing blends the rich history of the world’s premier bull riding organization showcasing many of the defining moments from humble beginnings into a global sport now encompassing both individual and team competition.

 

Newly installed interactive experiences will include a full touchscreen display serving as a dynamic hub for an in-depth exploration of the PBR Teams league, a “Join the Team” touchscreen experience that lets fans become part of their favorite teams, and much more.

 

Among the iconic memorabilia on display will be PBR co-founder and 1997 PBR World Champion Michael Gaffney’s original $1,000 founding check – tangible proof of the courage, conviction, and entrepreneurial spirit of the riders who bet on themselves and changed the course of Western sports history.

 

From the rodeo arena to the PBR, bull ropes connect the past to the present, honoring the champions whose hands held them and whose legacies shaped the future. 

 

In addition to his founding check, Gaffney’s bull rope will hang in the new Hall of Fame next to that of one of rodeo's greatest champions who helped build PBR. Jim Shoulders, a 16-time World Champion and dominant force in bull riding, elevated the sport through remarkable talent, relentless determination, and a competitive spirit that set the standard for generations to come.

 

Museum visitors will also get an up-close look at the 2026 PBR World Championship buckle that was launched aboard a U.S. Space Force mission from the Mojave Desert months before the championship event. Following its successful mission and return to Earth, the buckle bore visible signs of its journey – authentic wear resulting from the extreme conditions of launch, flight, and recovery. Those marks stand as a testament to its unprecedented place in both PBR and aerospace history.

 

This event is open to all media. If interested in attending, please contact Mandi McCary at mandi@mmgnv.com or 702-277-7107 to RSVP.

 

WHEN:

Thursday, July 30

10 a.m.

WHERE:

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

1700 NE 63rd St.

Oklahoma City, OK 73111

WHO:

Sean Gleason- CEO of Professional Bull Riders

Jeff Ewing- EVP & Chief Development Officer, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Matt West- PBR Insider & Emcee

Michael Gaffney - PBR Co-Founder & 1997 World Champion

Daylon Swearingen - 2022 PBR World Champion