Austin’s newest professional sports team introduced itself to the city at a launch event late last month, according to a report on the Professional Bull Riders’ (PBR) website.
The Austin Gamblers held the event at Republic Square in the central business district, where the city first took root as the Texas capital in 1839, per the report.
For franchise CEO J.J. Gottsch, the Gamblers are the latest in a long line of sports franchises he founded in the Lone Star State during a 20-year span.
“Couldn’t be prouder to represent the capital of #Texas,” Gottsch said in a tweet.
According to the PBR, the Gamblers will take up residence at the newly opened Moody Center on the campus of the University of Texas.
The venue’s first professional tenant, the Gamblers are slated to compete in their first homestand from Aug. 26-28, per the report.
The Moody Center’s website said there are more than 15,000 seats inside.
Helping Gottsch lead the expansion franchise is an ownership group featuring Egon and Abby Durban in addition to Dell Technologies CEO Michael Dell, the PBR said.
“I am pleased to invest alongside the Durbans in an exciting new professional sports team in the PBR,” Dell said, Austin NBC affiliate KXAN reported. “Importantly, the Gamblers promise to add a truly Texan dimension to Austin’s growing sports and entertainment offering, further enhancing our great community.”
KXAN reported that the Gamblers’ roster will consist of seven riders and three practice squad members.
According to the station, the PBR Team Series will commence in June.
The league said that Austin holds the first pick in its inaugural Team Series Draft. The draft is scheduled for May 23 in Arlington.
