reviewjournal.com -- Sports: Las Vegas Events, PRCA feel good about rodeo talks

Las Vegas Events and the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association officials are optimistic a deal will be reached that will keep the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas through 2014 after talks were extended into this week.

The original deadline imposed by LVE board member Michael Gaughan was Tuesday. Bill McBeath, president of Bellagio and an LVE board chairman, has taken over negotiations with PRCA commissioner Troy Ellerman.

Ellerman said Friday from PRCA headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., he's optimistic that he and McBeath will be able to finalize a five-year contract extension that would keep the world's richest rodeo in Las Vegas when the current contract expires after the 2009 event.

"I won't comment on the deal, but we're working toward a solution that will benefit both of us," Ellerman said.

McBeath said they are "close to having a deal in principle to extend the NFR in Las Vegas."

"It's the benefit the rodeo brings to the city as a whole," he said. "The Bellagio probably doesn't benefit as much as our (MGM Mirage) sister properties, but (having the NFR in Las Vegas is) a win-win relationship for both the PRCA and Las Vegas. We'd like to continue that relationship."

The NFR moved to Las Vegas in 1985, and the contract as been extended four times.

If a new accord is reached, it's likely the annual December rodeo will begin the first Thursday of the month beginning next year instead of opening on the first Friday of December, which it will do this year on Dec. 2.

The revised schedule would mean the 10-day rodeo at Thomas & Mack Arena would conclude on a Saturday night instead of Sunday afternoon, which is more appealing to hotels and casinos.

"Unequivocally, that's the right thing to do," McBeath said of the schedule change.

"It seems like to have the season finale of the rodeo on the biggest night of the week in Las Vegas and have a blowout crescendo on Saturday night instead of (ending on a) Sunday afternoon is a little more befitting for the city and it's personality.

"I believe Troy and I are on the same page on this issue."

The period between Thanksgiving and Christmas was among the slowest for tourism until the NFR was lured to Las Vegas from Oklahoma City.

The contract extension also is believed to include a one-time payment of $3 million to the PRCA from LVE, the marketing arm of the Las Vegas Convention Visitor Authority. Substantial increase to the NFR purse for rodeo athletes and stock contractors, and a larger share of event revenue to the rodeo association are part of the package.

The 2004 NFR attracted a 10-day crowd of 176,575, only 50 spectators less than the record set in 2003. LVCVA officials have said the 2003 NFR had a $50 million economic impact, three times what it generated in its inaugural year.