The controversy over rodeos at Petco Park took another turn last week when a San Diego public agency that doles out marketing money to events rejected a funding request for a planned January rodeo at the stadium. The board of the San Diego Tourism Marketing District deadlocked 4-4 last Friday over the $150,000 funding request from the San Diego Padres — $100,000 for musical talent and $50,000 for promotion. When the board deadlocks, requests for funding are denied. The board doles out the share of city hotel tax revenue that is earmarked for tourism marketing. The vote comes as San Diego Councilmember Kent Lee and the San Diego Humane Society continue to pursue legislation that could restrict rodeo activities within the city limits. Sara Kamiab, Lee’s chief of staff, said Tuesday that the council member and Humane Society officials are scheduled to meet later this week to discuss a timeline for the possible legislation. Lee has been exploring legislation since a rodeo the Padres hosted at Petco in January sparked protests from animal rights groups, litigation and calls to ban rodeos within the city. Last winter’s rodeo was the first in the city since the 1980s, but multiple rodeos are staged each year around the county, including annual events in Lakeside, Poway and Ramona. While Lee was considering legislation, the Padres announced last month that they are planning a larger version of the previous event for Jan. 10, 11 and 12 of next year. Activists are touting the rejection by the tourism marketing district as a major victory for their cause. “Funding such an event is increasingly seen as unacceptable, and we commend the SDTMD for making the ethical decision,” said Amit Dhuleshia, co-founder of Strategic Action For Animals. Activists also said the decision marks a significant step toward fostering a tourism landscape that reflects values of compassion and respect for all living beings. The tourism marketing district contributed $150,000 to the 2024 Petco rodeo — the same amount requested for the 2025 event. A spokesperson for the district said Tuesday that last Friday’s decision came after some board members expressed concern that the requested funding would not increase the total number of hotel stays associated with the event. One board member asked questions during the hearing about litigation against the Padres over last January’s rodeo, but that was not cited as a reason for the rejection, said the district spokesperson, Colleen Anderson. The San Diego Rodeo Alliance, a group that includes the Padres, said Tuesday that the January 2024 rodeo at Petco provided the region a $1.5 million economic boost and resulted in more than 6,000 hotel room bookings. “We believe the upcoming rodeo in January 2025 will be an even bigger success,” said alliance chair Josh Muse, who is also vice chairman of the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation.