Enhancements Include 66 Percent Increase in Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year Program Payout; Anglers to Use Own Branded Boats in Competition Televised on ESPN2
BASS announced enhancements to its tournament structure today. Next season, Bassmaster Elite Series anglers will compete from their own branded boats in all competition days of BASS tournaments, including the Bassmaster Classic. Additionally, BASS introduced a 66 percent increase in payout for the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year, which will now boast a $250,000 top prize.
“The next logical step in providing all BASS anglers the ultimate brand-building opportunity in professional fishing is to encourage them to fish from their own boats in all competition formats,” said Tom Ricks, vice president and general manager of BASS. “With the television coverage on ESPN2 and the additional multi media platforms devoted to our marquee events, Elite Series anglers have an exceptional vehicle to build viable careers and individual brands in the professional fishing industry.”
One of the most prestigious awards in the sport of bass fishing, BASS’ announcement raises the total payout of the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year to more than $1 million in 2008, an increase of $400,000.
“We know the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year award is held in such high regard and we wanted to reflect that prestige in the payout,” Ricks said.
In addition to the tournament enhancements, BASS announced today that the Bassmaster Elite Series, the most visible and prominent tournament trail in the world, will visit 11 fisheries in 2008. A list of the previously announced qualifying structure for the Bassmaster Classic and Bassmaster Elite Series can also be found at www.bassmaster.com.
With the changes to the tournament structure, the three stand-alone Bassmaster Majors will be eliminated from Bassmaster Elite Series competition.
“Our ultimate regular-season focus is now on the 11-event Bassmaster Elite Series,” Ricks said. “The Majors weren’t resonating with fans and the Elite Series is our primary property that we will look to grow further.”
As with past years, each Elite-level event will receive one hour of television coverage on ESPN2’s The Bassmasters, which airs at 9 a.m. ET on Saturdays. ESPN2 will kick off the Elite Series season with 13 hours of programming over three days devoted to the 2008 Bassmaster Classic.
Additionally, www.bassmaster.com and www.espnoutdoors.com will provide fishing fans with real-time leaderboards, streaming footage from weigh-ins, photo galleries and analysis at all Elite events.
With the schedule, BASS is giving the world’s top pros a balance of old favorite destinations and new and intriguing fisheries sure to boast some mind-boggling winning weights.
2008 Bassmaster Elite Series Schedule
| Date | Event Name | Fishery | Host City |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 6-9 | Sunshine Showdown | Harris Chain of Lakes | Leesburg, Fla. |
| March 13-16 | Citrus Slam | Kissimmee Chain | Lake Wales, Fla. |
| April 3-6 | Lone Star Shootout | Falcon Lake | Zapata, Texas |
| April 10-13 | Battle on the Border | Lake Amistad | Del Rio, Texas |
| May 1-4 | Pride of Georgia | Clarks Hill Lake | Evans, Ga. |
| May 15-18 | Carolina Clash | Lake Murray | Irmo, S.C. |
| June 5-8 | Southern Challenge | Wheeler Lake | Decatur, Ala. |
| June 12-15 | Bluegrass Brawl | Kentucky Lake | Gilbertsville, Ky. |
| June 26-29 | River Rumble | Mississippi River | Fort Madison, Iowa |
| July 31- Aug. 3 | Empire Chase | Lake Erie/Niagara River | Buffalo, N.Y. |
| Aug. 7-10 | Champion’s Choice | Oneida Lake | Syracuse, N.Y. |
