2026 PBR World Champion John Crimber signs two-year extension with Florida Freedom through 2029

09.02.26 - Teams

2026 PBR World Champion John Crimber signs two-year extension with Florida Freedom through 2029

Back-to-back PBR Teams MVP to pursue historic PRCA World Championship run in September.

By Brittany Rader

SUNRISE, Fla. — The Florida Freedom today announced that reigning PBR World Champion John Crimber has agreed to a two-year contract extension that will keep one of bull riding’s brightest young stars with the team through the 2029 PBR Teams season.

Crimber is now pursuing another piece of bull riding history: becoming the first rider to win both the PBR World Championship and the PRCA bull riding World Championship in the same year. Having already captured the 2026 PBR World Championship in May, Crimber will turn his attention to the PRCA circuit in September as he chases the second title.

Accordingly, Crimber has been excused from PBR Teams competition during September to compete in PRCA rodeos as he pursues the PRCA bull riding World Championship.

“Florida Freedom has believed in me from the beginning, and this team has become family to me,” Crimber said. “I’m really excited to know I’ll be riding for the Freedom for years to come and continuing to chase a Teams Championship with these guys. I’m also grateful for the opportunity to pursue another goal this September. Winning the PBR World Championship was a dream of mine, and now I have a chance to chase something else that’s never been done. I’m going to give it everything I have.”

“John Crimber has established himself as a cornerstone of the Florida Freedom and an important part of our long-term future,” said Florida Freedom owner Heath Freeman. “Since we selected him first overall in 2024, he has helped drive the Freedom’s rise to one of the league’s premier teams, culminating in our 2025 PBR Teams Regular Season Championship. We’re excited to continue building around John with the goal of winning PBR Teams Championships for years to come. We look forward to everything he will accomplish in a Florida Freedom jersey.”

Crimber has rapidly established himself among the most accomplished young athletes in PBR history. After the Freedom selected him No. 1 overall in the 2024 PBR Teams Draft, he immediately delivered, winning the 2024 PBR Teams regular-season MVP award. He followed that breakout campaign by earning his second consecutive regular-season MVP award in 2025, becoming the youngest two-time PBR Teams MVP.

“John is one of our biggest stars and has quickly become one of the defining athletes of PBR Teams,” said Sean Gleason, CEO and Commissioner of PBR. “His commitment to the Florida Freedom through 2029 is tremendous news for the team and for the league. John also has an opportunity to accomplish something historic this September, and we’re excited to support him in that endeavor. Great athletes want to chase greatness, and John has earned the opportunity to do exactly that.”

Crimber will compete in PRCA events throughout September before returning to PBR Teams competition with the Freedom.

Photo courtesy of Bull Stock Media

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