J.B. Mauney Net Worth

What Is J.B. Mauney's Net Worth?

J.B. Mauney is an American former professional bull rider and coach who has a net worth of $6 million. Widely regarded as one of the greatest bull riders in history, Mauney won the Professional Bull Riders World Championship twice and earned more than $7.4 million in official PBR prize money during his career, making him one of the highest-earning competitors the sport has ever produced.

Nicknamed "The Dragon Slayer," Mauney became famous for deliberately choosing some of the most difficult bulls available rather than attempting to protect his standings with easier matchups. He won world championships in 2013 and 2015, qualified for the PBR World Finals 15 consecutive times, and became the first rider in PBR history to surpass $7 million in career prize money. His most famous performance came in 2013 when he successfully rode Bushwacker for 95.25 points, ending the legendary bull's streak of 42 consecutive buck-offs.

Mauney's riding career ended in 2023 after a serious neck injury required surgery. He subsequently remained involved in professional bull riding as a coach and was inducted into the PBR Hall of Fame in 2025.

Early Life

James Burton "J.B." Mauney was born on January 9, 1987, in Charlotte, North Carolina, and grew up in nearby Mooresville. He developed an interest in rodeo almost immediately, beginning with sheep before progressing to calves and eventually bulls.

Mauney rode his first bull when he was around 13 years old and quickly established himself as an unusually talented young competitor. In 2002, he won the Southern Rodeo Association Junior All-Around championship, setting the stage for his move into professional bull riding.

PBR Career

Mauney joined the Professional Bull Riders circuit in 2005 and earned PBR Rookie of the Year honors the following season. His willingness to accept difficult matchups quickly separated him from other riders. Rather than simply trying to accumulate safe scores, Mauney frequently selected bulls with reputations for throwing nearly everyone who attempted to ride them.

That aggressive approach made him one of the sport's biggest attractions and led to his "Dragon Slayer" nickname. Fans came to expect Mauney to pursue the bulls other riders hoped to avoid, even when doing so increased his chances of injury or losing prize money.

Over the course of his PBR career, Mauney won 32 Premier Series events, recorded 75 rides worth at least 90 points, and qualified for the PBR World Finals 15 straight times. He also won the PBR World Finals event championship twice.

World Championships

Mauney won his first PBR World Championship in 2013 during one of the greatest individual seasons in professional bull-riding history. He earned more than $1.8 million during the year and recorded 19 round victories while making a dramatic late-season push toward the title.

Two years later, he captured his second world championship in 2015. By that point, Mauney had become one of the defining personalities of the PBR, known as much for his toughness and willingness to compete while injured as for his technical ability.

His longevity was particularly notable in a sport where serious injuries frequently shorten careers. Mauney remained a championship-level competitor for years despite accumulating a long list of broken bones, ligament injuries, shoulder problems, and other physical damage.

Bushwacker

Mauney's most celebrated ride came against Bushwacker, one of the most dominant bulls in PBR history.

By August 2013, Bushwacker had bucked off 42 consecutive riders in official competition. Mauney had attempted to ride him several times previously without success, but he continued requesting the matchup.

At a PBR event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Mauney finally stayed aboard for the required eight seconds. Judges awarded him 95.25 points, ending Bushwacker's historic buck-off streak and creating one of the signature moments in professional bull riding.

The performance perfectly illustrated the approach that defined Mauney's career. He was not merely interested in winning events; he wanted to prove himself against the most difficult bulls in the sport.

Career Earnings

According to official Professional Bull Riders records, Mauney earned approximately $7.42 million in PBR competition. He became the first bull rider in the organization's history to surpass $7 million in career prize money.

His total career income exceeded his official PBR winnings when sponsorships, endorsements, appearances, rodeos outside the PBR, and other opportunities are included. Mauney's reputation and popularity also made him one of the sport's most marketable riders.

Professional bull riding carries substantial expenses, however. Competitors are responsible for travel, entry fees, agents, taxes, medical costs, and other expenses, while injuries can prevent them from competing and earning prize money for extended periods.

(Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images)

Injuries and Retirement

Mauney competed through an extraordinary number of injuries during his career. He suffered broken bones, torn ligaments, damaged shoulders, and repeated trauma from being thrown, stepped on, and struck by bulls weighing well over 1,000 pounds.

His riding career finally ended in September 2023 at the Lewiston Roundup in Idaho. Mauney was thrown by a bull named Arctic Assassin and landed awkwardly, suffering a serious cervical spine injury. Doctors performed surgery to stabilize his neck, and Mauney subsequently announced that he was retiring from competition.

The injury ended a professional riding career that had lasted nearly two decades.

Coaching Career

Mauney remained involved in professional bull riding after his retirement. In 2024, he became head coach of the Oklahoma Wildcatters in the PBR Teams league, allowing him to pass along his experience to a new generation of riders.

In 2025, Mauney was inducted into the PBR Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. The honor recognized both his championship record and his status as one of the most influential and popular competitors in PBR history.

Personal Life

Mauney is married to Samantha Lyne, the daughter of legendary rodeo cowboy Phil Lyne. He has children and has remained closely connected to ranching, horses, cattle, and Western sports following his retirement.

Although he can no longer compete professionally, Mauney's transition into coaching has allowed him to remain a prominent figure in the sport that made him famous.

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