Some partnerships just make sense. When the Austin Gamblers - the Capital City's professional bull riding team and reigning 2024 PBR Teams Champions - came to us, we knew this was more than a collaboration. It was a meeting of two brands that hold themselves to an uncompromising standard of performance, detail, and craft.
Today, we're proud to unveil our co-branded collection with the Austin Gamblers: two exclusive hats built on melin's best-selling Odysea shape, debuted this past weekend at the 2026 PBR World Finals in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Collection
Both styles are designed for the demands of the arena - and the world beyond it. Every detail, from the gel-welded logos to the debossed leather patch, reflects the same obsession with quality that defines everything we make at melin.
The first style is the structured HYDRO - a performance-forward build featuring gel-welded co-branded logos, engineered for structure and built to last in any condition. The second is the unstructured DuraLink Mesh, finished with a debossed leather patch that blends technical innovation with elevated western aesthetics.
Built on Shared Values
The Austin Gamblers don't just compete - they win. Coached by PBR world champion Michael Gaffney and led by CEO J.J. Gottsch, this team has built one of the premier franchises in the sport from the ground up. That's the kind of standard we recognize at melin, and it's exactly why this partnership feels right.
"Partnering with the Austin Gamblers is a real privilege for our team. The level of grit and discipline they compete with is something we have tremendous respect for. They've built a world-class team, and this collaborative collection represents our shared standard for performance and attention to detail." - Brian McDonell, President & Co-Founder, melin
The launch event took place at the Cowboy Channel Bar in Fort Worth's historic Stockyards District - just steps from Cowtown Coliseum, where the very first PBR competition was held in 1993. It was the right place to honor a sport with deep roots and a future as fierce as ever.
"This partnership with melin is a natural fit for the Austin Gamblers. Their dedication to quality and innovation mirrors the standard we hold ourselves to as a team. We're excited to bring our fans a product that not only represents the Gamblers, but performs at the highest level." - J.J. Gottsch, CEO, Austin Gamblers
How to Get the Collection
Early access drops in late May 2026 - sign up at melin.com to be notified the moment it's available. Both the structured HYDRO and unstructured DuraLink Mesh styles are limited edition, so don't wait. And if you want to experience the Gamblers live, catch them at PBR Gambler Days, August 21-23, 2026 at Moody Center in Austin, TX. Tickets are on sale now.
This is what melin is about - finding the people and teams who share our belief that quality is never an accident. The Austin Gamblers prove that every day in the arena. We're honored to build something together that reflects that.