Florida Freedom’s first professional bullriding team gears up for a thrilling season with a new home and exciting matchups
The Florida Freedom, Florida’s inaugural professional bull riding team, has announced its highly anticipated 2024 game and broadcast schedule for the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series. With a thrilling lineup of events and a new home base, the team is set to captivate fans and elevate the sport in the Sunshine State.
A New Era for Florida Freedom
As the third season of the groundbreaking PBR Teams league approaches, the Florida Freedom are preparing for their debut in their new home, Amerant Bank Arena, the same venue that hosts the NHL’s Florida Panthers. After spending the first two seasons in Oklahoma City, the Florida Freedom has moved to its new base in Sunrise, Florida, in preparation for the 2024 season.
The 2024 PBR Camping World Team Series season will commence on July 12-14 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This season includes home games for each of the league's ten teams and two neutral site events over three days. With the addition of new teams, the schedule now comprises 12 events, and every team will have seven bye weeks.
One of the standout events of the season will be the Freedom Days homestand, scheduled for August 2-4 at Amerant Bank Arena. At the Freedom Days event, the Florida Freedom will play against the New York Mavericks on August 2, the Oklahoma Wildcatters on August 3, and the Missouri Thunder on August 4. This marks the team’s inaugural homestand in Florida, offering a thrilling weekend of bull riding action.
The 2024 season will culminate in Las Vegas with the PBR Teams Championship. The Championship will feature a new playoff structure, beginning with a Ride-in-Round on October 17 at the South Point Hotel, Casino & Spa. The four teams with the lowest standings will compete in this round, with the top two advancing to the eight-team Championship held at T-Mobile Arena from October 18-20.
Comprehensive broadcast coverage
CBS and Merit Street Media have secured new broadcasting deals for the season, ensuring that all 140 regular-season games and the Championship event are available to fans. Games will air on Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. ET and Sundays at 3 p.m. ET. CBS will feature its “Game of the Week,” while Merit Street Media will provide extra pre- and post-game segments, as well as relaunch PBR Now for in-depth weekly coverage.
Under the leadership of 10-time PBR World Finals Qualifier and Head Coach Paulo Crimber, who will be inducted into PBR’s prestigious Ring of Honor on July 11, the Florida Freedom boasts a talent-packed roster. The team is headlined by Crimber’s son, teenage phenom John Crimber, who was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 PBR Teams New Rider Draft.
John Crimber delivered an impressive rookie season in 2024, narrowly missing the PBR World Championship. The 18-year-old standout secured one premier series win and five second-place finishes, achieving a remarkable 43.93% coverage of his competitors. In his World Finals debut, Crimber scored a personal-best 95 points on Big Bank, finishing in second place.
Joining John Crimber are fellow draft selections Eric Henrique Domingos, Yan Vitor Santos Cunha, and Gavin Hauck. They will be complemented by returning stars such as Caden Bunch, Elizmar Jeremias, Thiago Salgado, Alex Cerqueira, and Casey Roberts. The team also bolstered its roster through trades and free agency, adding PBR World Finals qualifiers Conner Halverson, Trey Benton III, and Joao Lucas Campos.
In 2023, the Florida Freedom finished the regular season ranked fourth in the league with a 14-14 record. Led by standout performances from Bunch and rookie Jeremias, the Freedom had a strong showing in 2023. Bunch played a pivotal role by defeating the Nashville Stampede in the first round of the PBR Teams Championship. Unfortunately, the team was later knocked out by the Missouri Thunder in the second Last Chance Game.
The Florida Freedom’s homestand, PBR Freedom Days, is set for August 2-4, 2024, at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Three-day ticket packages are available, offering fans a 20% discount on select price levels. Tickets start at $20 (excluding taxes and fees) and can be purchased online at SeatGeek.com and PBR.com, at the Amerant Bank Arena Box Office, or by calling PBR customer service.
To stay updated on all things PBR and Florida Freedom, sign up for the Calle Ocho News newsletter. Get the latest news, event updates, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox. Interested in reaching a broader audience? Consider advertising with Calle Ocho News for unparalleled exposure within the community. Join us as we bring you closer to the action and excitement of professional bull riding in Florida!
Add Comment