FORT WORTH, TEXAS (March 16, 2022) – Ahead of the 2023 PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series Draft to be held in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 17, the Carolina Cowboys and Nashville Stampede have made a blockbuster trade, with the Cowboys’ Mason Taylor and Ednelio Almeida going to the Nashville Stampede in exchange for the Stampede’s 2023 No. 1 draft pick.
Competing for the Cowboys during the inaugural PBR Team Series season, Taylor went 14-for-33, helping Carolina to a 15-13 record in the regular season as the team reached the second round of the PBR Team Series Championship. He finished the 2022 individual season at No. 12 in the world, qualifying for the PBR World Finals for the fourth time.
The 23-year-old Texan was also involved in an earlier blockbuster PBR Team Series trade orchestrated by Carolina Cowboys General Manager Austin Dillon at the inaugural 2022 PBR Team Series Draft. In the second round, with the 14th overall pick, the Texas Rattlers sent their top two selections, Daylon Swearingen and Taylor, to Carolina, in exchange for Joao Ricardo Vieira, Cody Jesus and the No. 26 overall pick in the draft.
Almeida began his PBR Team Series career with the Texas Rattlers before being traded to the Carolina Cowboys for Junior Patrik Souza in late August. He was assigned to Carolina’s practice squad. Competing in the 2022 PBR Challenger Series, he went 6-for-15 and won back-to-back events on June 12 in Fort Worth and June 15 in Erick, Oklahoma.
“Mason Taylor and Ednelio Almeida are both exceptional bull riders who have the talent and determination needed to excel in the PBR Team Series,” Dillon said. “We want to thank them for their time with the Carolina Cowboys. Mason, in particular, has been with our team since day one as one of our original Carolina Cowboys, so we will certainly miss his presence with the team. We wish him and Ednelio the best of luck with their new home at the Nashville Stampede. We’re excited for the upcoming talent in the 2023 PBR Team Series draft and are looking forward to having the No. 1 overall pick.”
“In and out of the arena, Mason’s riding ability and character embody what we’re building in Nashville,” said Nashville Stampede General Manager Tina Battock. “He and Ednelio are exciting, dynamic additions to our roster and team. We can’t wait to see them ride in Stampede blue.”
“I’m happy to have them on our team,” said Nashville Stampede Head Coach Justin McBride. “They give our roster real depth, and we’re looking forward to the 2023 season.”
With the first of three Team Series combines scheduled during March and April now underway in Archdale, NC, there are more than 70 newly declared Team Series riders eligible to be drafted on May 17. Riders who are not drafted will be unrestricted free agents on May 18.
The 2023 PBR Team Series season begins in Cheyenne, WY (July 24-25), and after a 10-event regular season, culminates with the Championship in Las Vegas (Oct. 20-22).
The Nashville Stampede finished the 2022 regular season 7-20-1, entering the PBR Team Series playoffs in last place. The underachieving squad then caught fire to become dominant in the eight-team progressive-elimination tournament in Las Vegas at T-Mobile Arena, riding to upset wins against the Top 3 teams to be crowned the first-ever PBR Team Series Champions.
The team’s Stampede Days homestand returns to Bridgestone Arena August 18-20. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.
For more information about Nashville Stampede, visit www.NashvilleStampede.com, Nashville Stampede on Facebook, @NashvilleStampede on Instagram, or @Nash_Stampede on Twitter.
Stacked with talent, including two PBR World Champions, the Carolina Cowboys will host their debut PBR Cowboy Days homestand in Greensboro, North Carolina, at Greensboro Coliseum on Sept. 22-24. Tickets are on sale now and be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Greensboro Coliseum Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service at 1-800-732-1727.
For more information on Carolina Cowboys and ticketing updates on the upcoming PBR Cowboy Days, visit https://pbr.com/teams/carolina-cowboys, Carolina Cowboys on Facebook, @carolinacowboyspbr on Instagram, or @CARCowboysPBR on Twitter.
