Florida Freedom’s Flock: Time to Go Hunting
Picture Courtesy of PBR Picture Credit: PBRThe Florida Freedom Flock is riding high, perched atop the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Teams Series standings after dismantling the reigning Champions, Austin Gamblers. With their second perfect game in franchise history, a shutout victory in Anaheim, and a clean sweep at Cowboy Days, the flock has established itself as the team to beat. Now they’re heading into Maverick Days with two massive showdowns. First, a rematch with the Austin Gamblers – a team the flock has already beaten in their last three outings – followed by a final, high-stakes duel for the coveted Battle for the Belt Rivalry title against the #ConcreteCowboys of the New York Mavericks.
The heat between the teams isn’t just confined to the dirt. The Freedom’s hype man, John Crimber, has been relentlessly poking the Austin Gamblers. From throwing “horns down” inside Moody Center during the opening night of Gambler Days to telling PBR sideline reporter Kate Harrison it may be time to rename the team to the “Florida Gamblers,” Crimber is adding fuel to the fire. He even added another layer to the rivalry at Cowboy Days, where he was captured placing the Freedom’s locker room placard of the Gamblers’.
While the flock of the Florida Freedom has been busy with verbal jabs, the reigning Champions have taken a more stoic approach. They’ve been reserved, letting their riding do the talking for them rather than responding on social media to John’s pokes. The stakes couldn’t be higher – this will be the Gamblers’ last chance against the Freedom until the Teams Championship in Las Vegas in late October. So, will the reigning Champions finally put the upstart flock in their place, or will it be the same dominant results as the previous three games? We’ll find out Friday night!
And don’t think the final game is just a formality. The Battle for the Belt against the #ConcreteCowboys has its own history. Yes, the Mavericks did claim the very first game inside the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden, but since then, the Freedom has kept the belt in Sunrise with them in all subsequent games. While some so-called experts may tell you that the #ConcreteCowboys stand no chance against the current No. 1 team, the newest addition, Bob Mitchell and Marco Rizzo, may surprise us all and turn this game into a must-see showdown.
Given the sheer unpredictability of the sport, which is what makes watching bull riding so fun, the flock will have their work cut out for them at Maverick Days. Will the constant pokes from the Florida Freedom aimed at the Champions backfire, or will they continue to build on their lead in the standings? They absolutely cannot overlook the Mavericks on the last day, as the #ConcreteCowboys did sweep their homestand last year.
Don’t miss a single moment of the action at Maverick Days, September 18-20. To catch every ride with the voices of the sport, including Craig Hummer, Kate Harrison, Cord McCoy, and Matt West, here’s where you need to tune in:
Catch all of the bull riding on Thursday, with coverage beginning at 8:00 PM ET on PBR+, RidePass, or The CW App. On Friday Night, the coverage kicks off on FOX Nation at 7:45 PM ET, while Saturday night’s games will be featured on The CW starting at 8:00 PM ET. The last two games of Saturday night will be featured on Sunday on CBS for the Game of the Week at 3:00 PM ET (check local listings to verify broadcast times).