Riding of the Bulls to Hit Los Angeles

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The Chicago Bulls have played at Staples Center. And now the real bulls may be coming.

The venue’s owner, Anschutz Entertainment Group of Los Angeles, is partnering with the Professional Bull Riders tour to create a new professional circuit that will stop in Los Angeles.

Bob Newman, president of AEG Facilities, said he expects it to be a big draw based on the sport’s popularity in other large urban markets such as New York and Chicago, though he wouldn’t say which L.A. venue will host the event. It could also be held at AEG’s StubHub Center in Carson, home of the Galaxy and Chivas soccer teams, or at Staples Center.

“It is a very high-energy sport and does great in urban markets around the world,” he said. “The fan appeal crosses over many demographics.”

There has not been a PBR event in Los Angeles before, although rodeos occasionally come to town.

AEG and PBR are co-owners of the tour, called PBR Velocity, which will kick off March 14 and make between 16 and 18 stops. It will supplement PBR’s flagship bull riding tour, the Built Ford Tough Series, which showcases the top professional bull riders. The Velocity Tour will showcase up-and-coming riders as well as industry veterans.

AEG and PBR began working on plans for a tour about eight months ago.

The Velocity Tour events will be broadcast online by CBS Interactive. Newman said there is sufficient demand for more bull riding.

“There was a void in the marketplace for another fantastic bull riding tour,” he said.

– Jonathan Polakoff

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