NFR bucks ESPN Classic

If you've had trouble finding telecasts of the National Finals Rodeo this year it will be even more challenging next year.

Eight of this year's first nine go-rounds are being shown live on ESPN Classic on Cox's upper level digital service.

The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association announced Tuesday that for at least the next two years exclusive NFR telecasts will be on cable network Great American Country, not carried by Cox in Southern Nevada.

It will be the first year since the mid-1990s the rodeo will not be shown on an ESPN network.

Karl Stressman, commissioner of the PRCA that owns the NFR and is the country's primary sanctioning body for rodeo, said he has not been pleased with ESPN airing the world's richest rodeo on its third tier network, which has limited national reach.

Stressman said ESPN Classic reaches only about 35 million homes, one-third the reach of ESPN or ESPN2, which will show Sunday's 10th and final round on tape-delay that night.

GAC, according to Stressman, will show each final round of the NFR live over the next two years.

According to GACtv.com, its network reaches into 46 million homes. In Southern Nevada, the network is only available on satellite service.

GAC is owned by Scripps Networks, which has developed popular cable networks including HGTV, Food Network and DIY Network. GAC's primary programming involves country music and related programs.

The switch to GAC will not affect closed-circuit, live broadcasts of the NFR to Southern Nevada hotels, according to Pat Christenson, president of Las Vegas Events that promotes the rodeo.

n HOT STREAKS -- Cody Ohl of Hico, Texas, roped his calf in 7.3 seconds to win or share first place for the third straight night. Saddle bronc rider Cody Wright of Milford, Utah, took advantage of a re-ride to win his third go-round of the 52nd annual NFR.

Team ropers JoJo Lemond of Andrews, Texas, and Cory Petska of Marana, Ariz., and bull rider J.W. Harris of Mullin, Texas, recorded second consecutive go-round wins.

Harris won for the third time and leads the NFR with earnings of $75,132 over six nights.

Other go-round winners were: Wes Stevenson (Lubbock, Tex.), bareback; Luke Branquino (Los Alamos, Calif.), steer wrestling; and Brenda Mays (Terrebonne, Ore.), barrel racing.

n GRAY RELEASED -- Bareback rider Ryan Gray was released Monday night from University Medical Center and attended the sixth-go round.

Gray was the money leader in his event before dropping out of the Finals after sustaining a lacerated liver Friday night when he was stepped on by a bucking horse..

Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0247.