KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City welcomed the newest professional team Friday with the arrival of The Kansas City Outlaws.
The KC Outlaws is one of eight bull riding teams across the United States playing in PBR’s new Team Series league.
The KC Outlaws will host competitions at the T-Mobile Center in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, their first event August 5-7, 2022.
Team and league officials were on hand Friday morning during an event at the arena to announce the team.
Former PBR rider J.W. Hart will serve as the team’s coach.
“I was hoping I’d get the call from Kansas City," Hart said. "When they called me, I was tickled to death, and I did the best job I could to sell myself to them and it worked.”
PBR polled 15 million fans, and out of eight new teams, the favorite was clear.
“Kansas City logo and brand actually took first place, we are happy to reveal our helmet," a spokesperson said.
They say they are ready to build a fan base.
“The persona that we will put off as being an 'Outlaw and Outlaw Nation,' starting a tradition of winning and carrying it on," Hart said. “With Kansas City being so centrally located, we can draw people from California, people from Wisconsin. I hope this building is big enough to hold them all.”
Hart says KC fans should expect quite the ride.
“Research shows when the bull riders have been in a team concept, the ride percentages go up, scores go up,” he said.
PBR says the team will be finalized May 23.
Other teams in the new league include the Missouri Thunder (in Ridgedale, Missouri), Oklahoma Freedom, Austin Gamblers, Texas Rattlers, Arizona Ridge Riders, Nashville Stampede and the Carolina Cowboys.
More information about the league is available on the PBR website.
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