A federal district judge ruled Thursday that new bylaws meant to protect the long-established Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association from competing rodeo circuits are enforceable, a blow to a group of top rodeo athletes planning a satellite circuit this year.
But the judge, Barbara Lynn of United States District Court in Dallas, denied the association’s motion to dismiss a broader antitrust lawsuit filed by Elite Rodeo Athletes, whose nine-city tour is scheduled to stretch from March to November.
E.R.A. was founded by some of rodeo’s biggest stars, including Trevor Brazile, Bobby Mote and Ryan Motes, all of whom are named plaintiffs in the class-action suit filed in November.