Cowboys Consider Union

Rodeo cowboys, the epitome of Western individuality, are talking about unionizing.

About 100 cowboys competing at the Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo met to discuss forming a Professional Rodeo Players Association, starting a mailing list and collecting $50 dues.

Proponents see it as a way to get a bigger share of gate receipts, health and retirement benefits and an avenue for airing grievances.

“This is not going to happen by immaculate conception,” said R.G. Kekich, a 57-year-old Gilbert, Ariz., steer wrestler leading the move to organize. “It’s not going to happen unless we fight for it.”

Jeff Klaus, a Denver labor attorney, who has represented athletes, said a decision could be made in two weeks.

“It’s just the business of sports in the 20th Century,” he said. “We’ll ask the question of where is the money coming from and where is the money going. Every other sport has a players association. … Let this sport evolve as other sports have evolved.”

“We offer a good product for a cheap price and we’re not represented right,” said Mike Smith, a Jerome, Idaho, steer wrestler. “But the problem with cowboys is they are too independent, the problem is in sticking together. But I’d be happy to sit out to get it (salaries and benefits) to where it should be.”