June 17, 2021 Jef Goodger
Reigning King Kris Prather awaits 10 contenders looking to seize the throne

Portland, Maine—The PBA King of the Lanes presented by Pabst Blue Ribbon begins Saturday, June 19 at 2 p.m. ET on Fox Sports’ FS1.

After the inaugural King of the Lanes: Empress Edition concluded Wednesday with Stefanie Johnson as Empress, the men will get a chance to compete for the crown currently held by Kris Prather. In the final two telecasts from the 2020 King of the Lanes, Prather won the throne from Sean Rash and then successfully defended against Pete Weber.

Like the PBA King of the Lanes: Empress Edition, five hour-long telecasts will feature two contenders bowling a one-game match for the right to face the reigning King. The first telecast will showcase Prather facing either Chris Barnes or AJ Johnson. The winner of the King match will advance into each subsequent telecast to defend the crown.

PBA King of the Lanes Presented by Pabst Blue Ribbon Contenders Matches

Chris Barnes vs. AJ Johnson
During the stepladder finals of the 2020 PBA Jonesboro Open, Johnson and Barnes exchanged some words on the approach, adding intrigue to the match. Barnes, a 19-time PBA Tour champion and Hall of Famer, won that match to advance to the finals. Johnson now gets another shot at Barnes as they look to earn a bout with Prather.

Jesper Svensson vs. Parker Bohn III
The left side of the lane will get all the attention as Bohn, a 35-time PBA Tour champion and Hall of Famer, faces 10-time champion Svensson, who is performance-eligible for the Hall of Fame at only 26 years old.

Chris Via vs. Anthony Neuer
Two moments stood out from the 2021 U.S. Open: Via winning his first career PBA Tour title and Neuer becoming the fourth player ever to convert the 7-10 split in a televised finals event. The owners of those two moments will battle for a chance to challenge royalty.

Tim Mack vs. Jason Sterner
Sterner used two consecutive stepladder appearances in the USBC Masters and U.S. Open to earn his way into the PBA Playoffs bracket and will now endure a Bayside Bowl crowd overwhelmingly in support of Mack, manager of the two-time and reigning Elias Cup Champions Portland Lumberjacks.

Tom Daugherty vs. François Lavoie
Daugherty won two titles at World Series of Bowling XII, including the Guaranteed Rate PBA World Championship as his first major title. Lavoie has already earned over $350,000 this season bolstered by wins in the Kia PBA Tournament of Champions and Guaranteed Rate PBA Super Slam.

PBA King of the Lanes Presented by Pabst Blue Ribbon Television Schedule

Saturday, June 19 – 2-3 p.m. ET on FS1
Contenders Match: Chris Barnes vs. AJ Johnson
King Match 1: Kris Prather vs. Contenders Winner

Saturday, June 19 – 3-4 p.m. ET
Contenders Match: Jesper Svensson vs. Parker Bohn III
King Match 2: Winner from King 1 vs. Contenders Winner

Saturday, June 19 – 4-5 p.m. ET on FS1
Contenders Match: Chris Via vs. Anthony Neuer
King Match 3: Winner from King 2 vs. Contenders Winner

Sunday, June 20 – 2-3 p.m. ET on FS1
Contenders Match: Tim Mack vs. Jason Sterner
King Match 4: Winner from King 3 vs. Contenders Winner

Sunday, June 20 – 3-4 p.m. ET on FS1
Contenders Match: Tom Daugherty vs. Francois Lavoie
King Match 5: Winner from King 4 vs. Contenders Winner

About the PBA

The Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated to the sport of bowling and its professional competition, with thousands of members and millions of fans throughout the world. The PBA plays host to bowling’s biggest tournaments from the PBA Tour, PBA Regional Tour, and PBA50 Tour. In 2020, the PBA launched PBA Jr., a club for elite youth bowlers under the age of 17 and the PBA Pinsiders, a membership for fans of the sport. For more information, please visit PBA.com.

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