PBR partners with RFD-TV on top 20 special

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Professional Bull Riders has partnered with former CEO Randy Bernard to commemorate its 20th anniversary season with a weekly special aired on the network he now runs.

RFD-TV will debut "PBR 20-20" on May 1. The 90-minute episodes will showcase the top 20 PBR events of all time.

It's the first time PBR and RFD-TV have partnered, but the match became obvious once Bernard became CEO of the network in December. Bernard was CEO of PBR from 1995 until 2010, when he became CEO of IndyCar.

"There is no better way to celebrate PBR's 20th anniversary than by taking a trip down memory lane with RFD-TV," said Sean Gleason, PBR's chief operating officer. "Some of the greatest bull riding events in history have been locked in the vaults over the past 20 years and this is the first opportunity that anyone will have to see them."

PBR and RFD-TV combed through hours of archived footage to put together the series, which covers 20 events chosen by industry veterans. The first 12 weeks will feature competitions, including the St. Louis 2001 event, where PBR riders produced 11 90-plus rides — the equivalent of 11 grand slams in a baseball game.

PBR fans can vote for their favorite memories and moments from the last 20 years via Twitter. The Twitter votes will be calculated and factor into the selection process of the remaining series.

"This is a great way for our combined legions of western sports and bull riding fans across rural America to come together for this epic, 20-part, broadcast event. I look forward to watching Ty Murray, Cody Lambert, Ted Nuce, Michael Gaffney, Adriano Moraes and all the other greats," said Bernard.