Teton Ridge’s CEO explains what makes the American Rodeo Championship unique
The American Rodeo Championships, which still has tickets for sale, is coming to Globe Life Field from April 11-12.
Ahead of the event, Teton Ridge CEO Dierdre Lester explained what makes this rodeo different and what attendees can expect from this year’s edition.
Teton Ridge is a western entertainment and sports company that owns the Cowboy Channel and the Cowboys and Indians magazine, as well as the American Rodeo and other western-themed sports teams and events.
Lester, who became CEO in October of 2023 after working for the MLB, Whistle Sports and Barstool earlier in her career.
While she didn’t have a background in Rodeo before taking over at Teton, Lester has quickly learned what makes The American Rodeo special.
“The American Championship weekend is the single largest payday in a day for rodeo. It’s the only rodeo that is broadcast live on national TV. But really what’s cool is like, if you’re a fan of golf at all, it’s like the US Open, we invite the best athletes in the world,” said Lester, “Allowing athletes to come compete, have a chance to compete against the best in the world, and the contenders are eligible for a million dollar prize. So it’s a huge payday, life-changing money for these athletes. And. And that’s just really special and unique.”
After awarding $4.6 million last year, the event will award millions more this year, including a $1 million winner-take-all bonus, and will be broadcast on FOX Sports.
When she joined Teton Ridge, Lester realized that rodeo, more than a sport, is a lifestyle.
“So many of the people who are the core fans have lived a lifestyle that is around rodeo. Many of them have participated, or have family members who participated at the youth level, at the high school level, and then those who go on to college, and ultimately pros...But there’s people who just live around rodeo, and it’s part of their community, as part of their culture... I thought the lifestyle piece of it was really unique,” said Lester, ”When you come to a rodeo, you really see that, people are there to experience not just the sport, but the whole kind of immersion of being at a rodeo.”
Lester also highlighted the women who compete at the rodeo, pointing out they compete on the same stage for the same prize money as men, a rarity in sports, and saying there was an untapped potential in western sports to focus on those stories.
Even if someone is not already a rodeo fan, Lester explained the draw as similar to the 2024 MLB All-Star game, which also took place at Globe Life Field.
“It really feels no different than if you were to attend MLB All Star game,”said Lester, “We bring the best athletes in the sport to compete, and then we have this contender series throughout the year that allows other athletes to have a chance to come compete against the best in the world...to enhance the overall experience we bring in major artists that are relevant and authentic to all things Western. This year we have Bailey Zimmerman Friday night, and Riley Green and Ella Langley Saturday night. They’re massive, they’re award-winning.”
The American Rodeo Championship will begin at 7:30 p.m. on April 11 with the Contender tournament finals.
