ESPNOutdoors website to Provide Live Daily Coverage Starting with Redbone S.L.A.M.
ESPN Outdoors announced today that Jose Wejebe, who has hosted Spanish Fly on ESPN2 for 13 years, will host the ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series television coverage on ESPN2. The Sunday morning shows, which will chronicle the six stand-alone, world-class events, will begin in April 2009. The ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series will kick off Sept. 5-7 with the Southernmost Light-Tackle Anglers Masters (S.L.A.M.) tournament in Key West, Fla.
Wejebe, a longtime resident of the Florida Keys, will also remain as host of Spanish Fly, which will air on Sundays on ESPN2 in 2009. Wejebe is one of the most respected fishing guides worldwide and has traveled the world fishing exotic locations and serving as a guide, tournament angler and TV personality in his diverse career.
Gary Ellis, founder of the Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series, has enjoyed a long relationship with Wejebe, introducing him in 1988 to Jerry McKinnis, who hosted The Fishin’ Hole on ESPN networks for more than 25 years.
“It’s ironic that I started my career with ESPN at Redbone over 20 years ago,” Wejebe said. “This is funny how life comes full circle. I met Jerry at the Redbone and from that meeting we started Spanish Fly some 13 years ago. Now, ESPN is highlighting and giving back to Redbone, which continues to give so much to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.”
As previously announced, the ESPNOutdoors website will be the online home for the series, with live daily event coverage including video, photo galleries, articles and features. Competitors in the Series will include celebrities, renowned guides and other luminaries from the fishing industry competing in catch-and-release events.
The popular S.L.A.M. is the first in an annual Florida Keys autumn trilogy of Redbone fishing tournaments. The series was developed by the Ellis family to raise awareness of cystic fibrosis and to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
“We are very excited to have Jose on board to lend his expertise to our television coverage,” said Jamie Wilkinson, senior director of event operations and business development. “Jose’s ability to deliver compelling storylines will further add to this tremendous product.”
For more information, contact ESPN Outdoors Communications at (407) 566-2208.
ESPN OUTDOORS SALTWATER SERIES SCHEDULE
DATE LOCATION EVENT NAME FISH SPECIES
Sept. 5-7 Key West, Fla. Redbone S.L.A.M. Celebrity Tournament Tarpon, bonefish, permit
Sept. 24-26 Montauk, N.Y. F.C.A. Montauk S.L.A.M.
Redbone @ Large Striped bass, bluefish, false albacore
Oct. 3-5 Key Largo, Fla. Redbone Series Baybone Celebrity Tournament Permit, bonefish
Nov. 7-9 Islamorada, Fla. Redbone Series Redbone
Celebrity Tournament Redfish, bonefish
Nov. 21-24 Grand Bahama, Bahamas Fall Deep Water Cay Celebrity Bonefish Classic Redbone @ Large Bonefish
Dec. 12-14 Islamorada, Fla. Don Gurgiolo Sailfish Classic
Redbone @ Large Sailfish
About ESPN Outdoors: Since its inception in 1980, ESPN Outdoors has strived to inform and entertain anglers, hunters, campers and people of all ages who enjoy the outdoors. ESPN Outdoors is committed to increasing awareness of and participation in outdoor activities, a direction best exemplified by television programming on ESPN2. Each year, ESPN Outdoors stages more than 30 marquee events, including the Bassmaster Classic. ESPN Outdoors is comprised of BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, and a growing array of multimedia platforms, including Bassmaster.com, ESPNOutdoors.com and programming on ESPN2, in addition to promotions and activities that deliver a clear message of conservation and ethical sportsmanship.
By: ESPN Outdoors
