On April 11, the New York Mavericks, one of two new teams joining the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) Camping World Team Series, chose four talented Brazilian bull riders and a gritty Texan in the league’s first expansion draft, assembling an initial roster of riders ahead of their inaugural homestand in August at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
With the No. 2 and No. 3 picks in the Expansion Draft’s opening round, the New York Mavericks selected World Finals qualifier Vitor Losnake (Bauru, Brazil) and member of the 2023 PBR Teams regular-season No. 2 Kansas City Outlaws Leonardo Castro (Cassilandia, Brazil). The Mavericks secured Braidy Randolph (Stephenville, TX), Leandro Zampollo (Pirassununga, Brazil), Ederson Santos (Ilha Solteira, Brazil) and Romario Leite (Brotas, Brazil), setting the stage for the debut of New York’s first bull riding team to compete together, beginning in July.
“We are incredibly proud to announce the selection of our inaugural riders for the New York Mavericks. We believe each individual embodies the spirit of determination, skill, and passion that will define our team,” said New York Mavericks General Manager Chris Pantani. “The New York Mavericks are poised to make a significant impact in our community and in the world of bull riding, and we couldn’t be more excited to have these talented riders leading the charge.”
The drafted riders join the New York Mavericks roster led by head coach, 2009 PBR World Champion and Ring of Honor inductee, Kody Lostroh along with assistant coach and 2002 PBR World Champion, Ednei Caminhas.
As the first bull riding team to represent New York and the Northeast, the New York Mavericks builds upon a rich legacy of bull riding in the region, epitomized by the 17-year tenure of PBR’s Unleash The Beast premier series event at Madison Square Garden and annual events spanning from Virginia to Maine. The Northeast boasts vibrant international communities from Brazil, Mexico, and Central America, where bull riding holds deep cultural significance and widespread popularity.
The New York Mavericks roster now includes:
• No. 2 Overall Pick: Vitor Losnake
• No. 3 Overall Pick: Leonardo Castro
• No. 6 Overall Pick: Braidy Randolph
• No. 7 Overall Pick: Leandro Zampollo
• No. 10 Overall Pick: Ederson Santos
• No. 11 Overall Pick: Romario Leite
At the conclusion of the expansion draft, the league held the lottery for the New Rider Draft to be held on May 29 in Nashville. After the Florida Freedom earned the No. 1 overall pick, the New York Mavericks and Oklahoma Wildcatters engaged in a league-administered coin flip for the No. 2 and No. 3 picks. Following the flip, the New York Mavericks will hold the No. 3 overall pick in the New Rider Draft, anticipated to be headlined by riders including teenage phenom John Crimber (Decatur, TX), and fellow young guns Clay Guiton (Cherryville, NC) and Marco Rizzo (Quitman, GA).
For the 2024 PBR Camping World Team Series, the league has expanded to 10 teams, including the newly added New York Mavericks and Oklahoma Wildcatters. These teams will compete in five-on-five bull riding games throughout the 12-event season starting on July 12 through 14 in Oklahoma City. The bull riding action for the 2024 PBR Camping World Team Series’ New York Mavericks Days at Barclays Center begins at 7:45 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 9, and 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10.
Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com and PBR.com, at the Barclays Center box office, or by calling PBR customer service (800-732-1727). Two-day ticket packages are available, offering fans a 15 percent discount on select price levels.
Stay tuned to PBR.com for more information on the New York Mavericks and the 2024 PBR Camping World Team Series season. For more information about New York Mavericks, www.pbr.com/teams/new-york-mavericks, @nymavericks on Facebook, or @NY_Mavericks on X and Instagram.
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