TNN premieres new extreme sport

The man weighs 170 pounds. The beast more than 2,000 and might be named Buzzard Bait, Scorpion, or Free Loader. The man just wants to stay on. The beast's intention is to knock him off and stomp him into oblivion?

The sport is PBR Championship Bullriding, America's first extreme sport. And the ride known as the most dangerous eight seconds on television can be seen exclusively on TNN: The National Network as its exclusive coverage of the PBR Bud Light Cup Tour resumes in July.

Currently ranked in the top-10, Chris Shivers, the 21-year old defending PBR champion, was the first PBR rider to earn a million dollars on the tour. Shivers will need a strong finish to the 2000 season to secure the top spot and big payday again.

Also shooting for the PBR title and the one million dollar bounty this year will be seven-time world all-around champion, who happens to be Jewel's boyfriend, Ty Murray; rising PBR star, Justin McBride; 1994 PBR champion and international heart-throb, Brazilian Adriano Moraes; and Oregon-native Ross Coleman.

TNN will also focus on the voracious and tenacious bulls that make the PBR such a unique sporting event. The 2000 "Bull of the Year," Dilinger, is yet again among the toughest bulls on the tour, frequently knocking off the game's finest riders.

Despite their seemingly innocent names, top-ranking bulls including Blueberry Wine, Promised Land, Hollywood, Red Cloud, and Jack Daniels' Happy Hour have that killer extinct which can make life miserable for the champion bull riders.

Following a two-month hiatus, the PBR is back on TNN with coverage of the PBR Wells Fargo Bank Classic in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Sunday, July 1 (9:00-10:30 PM, ET/PT). The world's best and most fearless professional bullriders take on the "superstars" of American livestock in the most dangerous event in modern rodeo.

Each daring athlete must stay on the bull for a minimum of eight seconds to qualify for a legal ride. These precious eight ticks of the clock are moments of adrenaline-pumping action, which feels like an eternity aboard a bucking bull. However, the thrill of the ride and the lure of financial reward motivate and push these daredevils to risk life and limb.

The PBR's annual stop in Colorado Springs is highlighted by two thrilling match-ups including Brazilian champion 180-pound Adriano Moraes riding the vociferous Red Dog and America's top contender, 145-pound Oklahoman Justin McBride, riding the ever-obstinate Locomotive Breath.

The following is a schedule of the remaining PBR events on TNN through PBR Championships in October:

TNN is the only cable network to offer a regular series devoted to professional bull riding. PBR Championship Bullriding is produced by Reid/Land Sports for TNN.