For 10 days in December, Las Vegas, Nevada turns into a cowboy town, hosting the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo. This is the largest event in rodeo, where the top 15 cowboys and cowgirls across 8 rodeo events compete for their chance at a world title. After the conclusion of the NFR, Flint Rasmussen joined Shelby on the Learfield College Rodeo Podcast to discuss the 40th anniversary in Vegas, how his 10 days have evolved over the years, the role college rodeo plays, and more.
10 Days of Non-Stop Rodeo
Flint and Shelby both spent almost 2 weeks in Las Vegas for the 2025 National Finals Rodeo. Flint’s time was spent capturing unique content and interviews for social media, hosting the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation watch party, and hosting the nightly go-round awards presentation at the South Point. Through all of this, he has developed a different relationship with many of the pro-rodeo athletes, getting to know them on a deeper personal level. He also witnesses the raw emotion captured when the cowboys and cowgirls win a round and get to join him on stage to receive their buckle.
40 Years in Las Vegas
The Wrangler National Finals Rodeo celebrated its fortieth year in Las Vegas in 2025, highlighting past champions and special moments. Flint has played a role in the event for over 20 years, working in the arena 8 times, hosting the original talk show of the Western world, and hosting the nightly awards. With this significant milestone for rodeo’s history in the city, Flint stated that 2025 was one of the best rodeos he had ever seen.
College Rodeo’s Role
College rodeo has played a huge role in many of the National Finals Rodeo contestants’ careers. Many of them are College National Finals Rodeo qualifiers and champions and some are still competing at the collegiate level. Shelby and Flint spent time reflecting on some of these notable champions, the role of many college rodeo coaches, even at the highest level, and more unique stories.
To hear more about this year’s Wrangler National Finals Rodeo and the role college rodeo played, listen to Episode 26 of the Learfield College Rodeo Podcast.