Austin Gamblers Open Operations in Brazil, Let by Three-Time PBR World Champion Adriano Moraes
By: PBR
AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin Gamblers, one of eight founding teams in the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Team Series which begins its 2023 season in late July, have opened a new operation in Brazil, where the team will travel on a scouting and development mission, it was announced today.
Brazilian native and bull riding legend Adriano Moraes was named Director of Brazil Operations, responsible for both scouting and assisting in coaching and developing the team’s riders. Moraes was PBR’s first World Champion (1994) and first three-time World Champion, adding titles in 2001 and 2006.
The Gamblers look to continue the success from the inaugural season, where the team went 16-12 on their way to becoming the league’s first regular season champions. Moraes will work with Gamblers’ CEO J.J. Gottsch and Head Coach Michael Gaffney in advance of the 2023 Draft (May 17), the free agency period that immediately follows, and throughout the 2023 season.
Additionally, Moraes will provide coaching and instruction to the riders, working with Gaffney and his team of 12 riders throughout the 2023 campaign.
The Gamblers will travel to Brazil in mid-June to participate as a team in the PBR Brazil Iron Cowboy event in Americana (June 16-18), following a 3-day training camp at Moraes’ ranch in Cachoeira Paulista, SP.
“I am very excited to be a part of a team as remarkable as the Austin Gamblers and believe this partnership will have incredible success,” Moraes said. “Witnessing from the very beginning PBR’s steps towards the team format, which has always felt like the natural progression for bull riding, has been an inspiring journey. Today, being able to actively participate in this new league alongside my good friend Michael (Gaffney), someone who I have always looked up to, brings me indescribable happiness. My ultimate goal is to contribute not only my knowledge about bull riding but also all my life experiences that revolve around this sport. I believe having a local base in Brazil will elevate the professionalism of bull riding athletes in our country, helping ensure they will be ready to compete at their best in the U.S. without having to worry about language barriers or adjusting to a new environment. I am eager and ready to collaborate with the team, help elevate bull riding, and leave a lasting impact on its fans.”
“I’m beyond excited to have Adriano join our organization,” said Gamblers’ Head Coach Michael Gaffney, who won the 1997 PBR World Championship. “I’ve known the man 30 years and have so many great memories of PBR and professional rodeo that were spent traveling and competing with this amazing champion. His wealth of knowledge will be invaluable to our young men of the Austin Gamblers. Brazil is full of talented cowboys. Adriano will be our eyes and ears in South America, searching for those aspiring to be great and join our team.”
Current 2023 Austin Gamblers riders who are Brazilian natives include Jose Vitor Leme, Lucas Divino, Ramon de Lima, and Adriano Salgado.
In 2017, Leme earned his invite to Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour Finals in Las Vegas as the PBR Brazil Champion, after accomplishing a PBR “trifecta” in Brazil that year in winning the 2017 Brazil National Finals at Barretos, the 2017 Brazil Rookie of the Year honors, and 2017 PBR Brazil Championship. Leme went on to win World Championships in 2020 and 2021, the sport’s second back-to-back World Champion, joining fellow Brazilian Silvano Alves.
Overall, in the PBR’s’ 30-year history, the coveted gold Buckle that goes to the World Champion has been won by a Brazilian rider 12 times. Leme, currently No. 2 in the world standings, will be competing for a record-tying third title at PBR World Finals in Fort Worth May 12-21.
“I’m very excited to have Adriano with the Gamblers, and I can’t wait to work with him,” Leme said “He’s my mentor and I’m sure he will help everyone on the team. Going to Brazil will be very helpful for all the riders on the team to have a different experience. The opportunity to go out in a different country and ride different bulls in a different scenery will be amazing. I think everyone will learn something good from this trip.”
The PBR Team Series 11-event 2023 season opens in July at Cheyenne Frontier Days on July 24-25 and culminates in a team championship at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on October 20-22. All PBR Team Series events are carried on either the CBS Television Network, streaming live on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network, or RidePass on Pluto TV.
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