Rodeo’s two-time world champion, J.B. Mauney, stands as one of the most successful advertising cases in arena history, boasting a valuable image crafted over a career spanning more than 15 years in the sport’s elite.
In a recent interview with presenter and YouTuber Dale Brisby, the American revealed that all his sponsors stood by him even after his abrupt departure from competitive riding.
“If I knew I could make money without getting on bulls, I would have stopped a few years back,” he joked. “I still miss it, but it’s nice to know they’re still backing me,” he added.
Mauney announced his retirement in early September following an accident at a PRCA Rodeo that required surgery to insert rods, plates, and screws in his cervical region.
He is sponsored by leading brands in their segments like Monster (energy drink), Wrangler (clothing), American Hat (hats), YETI (adventure gear), Kubota (tractors), Total Feeds (animal nutrition), and Bill Fick (Ford dealership).
According to the champion himself, one of these brands renewed their sponsorship after the accident, believing in the strength of his image beyond the arenas. Others like Wrangler and American Hat have already declared that he will “remain part of the sponsored family for life.”
Contracts are estimated to reach up to half a million dollars annually, considering payments and other benefits, demonstrating the power of his image, placing him alongside the elite in other sports.
This is because even without riding bulls, the competitor, who boasts the largest following among rodeo athletes on social media, will continue to have an active role within the sport. Additionally, behind the scenes, Mauney is consistently considered for potential roles within the PBR Team Series.
