VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, [7], 8, 9, 10 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 05:13:39 02/28/07 Wed
Author: Julie
Subject: Commentary from the Houston Chronicle ---->
In reply to: Julie 's message, "Pro rodeo Should Listen to the Cowboys--see inside" on 05:12:28 02/28/07 Wed

Feb. 26, 2007, 11:53PM
COMMENTARY
Pro rodeo should listen to cowboys


By JOHN P. LOPEZ
Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle


Imagine if NBA commissioner David Stern, a former practicing attorney, decided to represent the defendants in the federal BALCO steroids case that involves Barry Bonds, Jason Giambi and other baseball heavy hitters.

That's what then-Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association commissioner Troy Ellerman did. But it didn't get him fired.

It didn't even raise many eyebrows, publicly at least, from the board of directors that controls the largest rodeo organization in the world.


And there's more
Now imagine if Stern, during the BALCO case, was investigated as the source for leaking secret grand jury testimony to a couple of reporters regarding the case. Imagine if Stern was caught on tape by FBI investigators making comments that implicated him in the leak and ensuing coverup.

Imagine if Stern deceived not just the reporters, but the FBI and the federal judicial system by then filing a motion to dismiss the case because of that leaked information which he, in fact, leaked.

Imagine if Stern meticulously surrounded himself with yes men on the board, unceremoniously kicking out anyone who questioned his tactics or leadership plan, replacing them with foils. Imagine if Stern refused to share with the board key financial contracts.


No representation
Imagine if he fought hard against proper representation on the board from what seem to be the only honest people in the sport, the athletes who drive their trucks from city to city, giving up their bodies, hoping to cash checks, but guaranteed nothing.

Imagine if even his supporters on the board described him as ruthless and heavy-handed, prone to unleashing strings of profanities at anyone who questioned his tactics.

Imagine if he called federal investigators "unadulterated punks" and oversaw an organization that admittedly was experiencing the most unrest from its rank and file in history.

Imagine if Stern, with the feds closing in, finally pleaded guilty to obstructing justice, perjury and criminal contempt, crimes that could bring up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Ellerman did all of that. Yet the nine-member PRCA board refused to fire him.

And when Ellerman finally resigned last week, instead of condemning Ellerman's rule, the board decided to send him away with a full year's salary of more than $200,000.

The decision to pay Ellerman a year's salary ultimately was reversed after the decision created an uproar among rodeo cowboys, but clearly the PRCA has come to Houston and reached a crossroads.

The board needs a total makeover. And it needs to listen to some good, old country logic. That is, give the cowboys more voices on the board.

Sure, with the March Madness kind of bracket the PRCA is instituting, there's potential to draw more rodeo fans than Beyoncé fans to events like the Houston Rodeo, the sport's greatest show on earth that begins today.

There is value to highlighting individuals and personalities. Fans cheer stars. And frankly, you won't find better people, simpler ideals and honest work for honest pay values than in your average rodeo cowboy.

Their only problem also has been one of their most endearing qualities: They don't complain. They go to work, get beat up, and move on.

But in the wake of Ellerman's controversial tenure, more cowboys are making noise, and now is the time for them to be heard.

Ellerman often boasted that under his leadership, the PRCA went from red ink to black ink. That's one way to look at it.

That is how interim CEO Keith Martin, former president of the San Antonio rodeo, spun it in a news release following Ellerman's resignation, saying, "Thanks in part to his leadership, the PRCA achieved a multimillion-dollar financial turnaround, and is now strong, stable and in position for solid growth."

Another way to look at it is Ellerman gutted the organization of its heart and soul, the cowboys.

Ellerman sold the rights to the PRCA's bull riding tour for a paltry $1.5 million for three years to a television production company that is raking in advertising dollars. He cut off the Women's Professional Rodeo Association, saying the group that includes some 2,000 members wasn't paying high enough dues.

And all the while, he refused to allow members to see financial contracts.

By all accounts, Martin's heart is in the right spot when it comes to righting the PRCA's ship, and there have been a couple of changes to the board membership and member responsibilities.

But to paraphrase a country classic, save the PRCA? Ride the cowboys.

It's going to be a rough ride with a lot of tough falls. It's certainly going to take a lot more than eight seconds to bring the sport the notoriety and financial success it deserves.

But who would you rather saddle up and follow down a tricky, dusty trail? A sleazy lawyer? Or some honest, tough cowboys?

Listen to John P. Lopez weekdays noon-3 p.m. on 790 AM.

john.lopez@chron.com

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

  • This is a good article. (NT) -- Crystal, 07:19:24 02/28/07 Wed
    [ Contact Forum Admin ]

    Forum timezone: GMT-8
    VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
    Before posting please read our privacy policy.
    VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
    Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.