Who Is The Richest Rodeo Person? The richest rodeo person depends on the association, but Trevor Brazil is the richest in PRCA history with over $7 million, while the highest earner in PBR history is Jose Vitor Leme, who surpassed $8.3 million, making him a strong contender for the highest-earning cowboy overall in modern western sports. Brazil dominated the PRCA for years with multiple world titles, but Leme’s success in bull riding took him to new heights of earning. Jose Vitor Leme is the richest rodeo athlete in history based on career earnings. He recently surpassed longtime leader J.B. Mauney to become the first western sportsman to surpass $8 million in career winnings.
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For the PRCA (Rodeo Events):
- Trevor Brazil stands as the top earner, holding the record for the most world titles and career earnings in PRCA history, competing in tiedown roping, team roping, and steer roping.
For the PBR (Bull Riding):
Among the top earners in professional rodeo and bull riding are:
- Jose Vitor Leme: The current record holder with all-time career earnings, totaling over $8.39 million as of May 2025. He is a two-time PBR World Champion (2020, 2021) and the 2025 PBR World Champion.
- J.B. Mauney: The former highest earner, his career earnings were around $7.4 million to $7.6 million before his retirement in 2023.
- Trevor Brazile: Known as the “King of the Cowboys,” he is the richest person in PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) history with career earnings of around $7 million. He holds a record 26 PRCA world titles.
- Silvano Alves: Three-time PBR World Champion with career earnings of around $6.79 million.
- Guilherme Marchi: The first rider in PBR history to reach 600 career rides, with total earnings of approximately $5.33 million.
How the Richest Cowboys Build Their Wealth
The multimillion-dollar fortunes of rodeo’s elite are built from several revenue streams, with prize money forming the foundation. The modern rodeo landscape offers significant opportunities. In 2023, the PRCA paid out a record $74.5 million in prize money. Major events offer life-changing payouts: A win at The American Rodeo can pay $100,000 to $140,000, and team ropers have taken home $140,000 for a win.
The Real Cost of the Rodeo Road: A Financial Reality Check
Million-dollar headlines only tell half the story. For every Trevor Brazile, hundreds of cowboys face financial hardship. Rodeo is essentially a high-risk small business with a lot of overhead. The average mid-level competitor has very little annual expenses:
- Travel (Fuel, Flights, Truck Maintenance): $40,000 – $60,000
- Entry Fees (Avg. $150-$300 per rodeo): ~$25,000
- Food and Lodging: ~$20,000
- Equipment (Saddles, Ropes, Horse Care): ~$15,000
- Health Insurance and Medical: $10,000+
Total estimated expenses can exceed $112,500 per year. As rodeo analyst Steve Kenyon notes, “You’re an independent contractor running a small business where your body is the product.” A cowboy who earns $150,000 in prize money in a good year may earn less than $40,000 after expenses. This “feast or famine” model explains why most hobbyists compete for first and second place in profits.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Who Is The Richest Rodeo Person?
Who is the richest rodeo cowboy of all time?
Trevor Brazile is the richest, with over $7 million in official PRCA career earnings
Do rodeo cowboys make good money?
Yes, rodeo cowboys make money, ranging from a few thousand dollars at the beginning to millions for top professionals, but earnings vary based on skill, event, and whether they win big or get a sponsorship like a Wrangler or RAM.
How do rodeo cowboys make most of their money?
Rodeo cowboys primarily make money from event winnings and sponsorships, but supplement their income through jackpots, roping schools, horse sales and other ventures, with top competitors earning significantly more through major events like the NFR or The American Rodeo.
Who is the richest bull rider?
The richest bull rider in the PBR (Professional Bull Riders) by lifetime earnings is José Vitor Leme, with over $8.3 million, surpassing former top earner J.B. Mauney, who is known as a legendary figure and the first person to reach $7 million in career earnings.
Are cowgirls included in these earnings?
Yes, while cowboys often make headlines, top cowgirls like barrel racer Sherri Cervey have amassed nearly $3 million in lifetime earnings. The rapid growth of breakaway riding is also creating new high-earning opportunities for women.
Who is the richest bull rider?
J.B. Mauney is widely considered the richest bull rider, holding the record for PBR earnings of over $7.4 million, but José Vitor Leme is quickly closing in and active with over $8.3 million, potentially poised to surpass Mauney as the top earner.
Who is the $8 million bull rider?
The “$8 Million Bull Rider” is José Vitor Leme, a Brazilian professional bull rider who became the highest-earning cowboy in Western sports history by surpassing $8 million in career earnings and winning his third PBR World Championship.
Who is the greatest rodeo cowboy of all time?
There is no single “greatest” but Trevor Brazile is often called the greatest due to his unparalleled versatility and earnings with 14 all-around titles, while Ty Murray (7 all-around titles) and J.B. Mauney (PBR bull riding legend) are also frequently mentioned.
Beyond the Arena Richest Cowboy
The broader interpretation of the question sometimes points to Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys NFL franchise, who has a net worth of about $16.1 billion. While culturally iconic, it highlights a wide financial divide. Jones’ wealth comes from sports franchise ownership and business, not rodeo competition. In the realm of professional rodeo athletes, Trevor Brazile’s earnings record stands as a definitive benchmark for success on the field.