For anyone that may be interested in a short history lesson of the ups and downs of B.A.S.S. during the ESPN involvement, the stories and timeline below will help get you up to speed on where it began, and where it stands today. Although every little detail has not been included, the major events are provided in the below articles as published at bassfan.com. Yes, it may be a lengthy reading, but it may shed a little light on many questions that you may have had over time, especially if you have been involved with B.A.S.S. as a member for many years.
Source: www.bassfan.com
A Walk Through History – Part 1 (2001–2004)
Charting The ESPN Decade In Timeline Form
Monday, August 23, 2010
Photo: BASS
A familiar face through the first half of the ESPN decade, Dean Kessel was named BASS GM 4 months into ESPN’s ownership.
(Editor’s note: This is the first part of a multi-part story that chronicles, in timeline form, major milestones and events during the ESPN era of BASS.)
As the proposed sale of BASS to independent investors Jerry McKinnis, Don Logan and Jim Copeland draws near to closing, the ESPN era of BASS draws nearer to its end.
The ESPN purchase of BASS on April 4, 2001 marked a seminal moment in the sport. Expectations were that the Worldwide Leader in Sports would shine a new light on bass fishing – both at the pro level, as well as the amateur ranks.
But although ESPN was the worldwide leader in sports broadcasting, it was clear from the beginning that the company wasn’t necessarily as versed in event and membership management.
Truth is, nearly everyone agrees that the ESPN era of BASS delivered both good and bad. Alongside the mega-platform of the ESPN networks and revolutions like same-day coverage of the Bassmaster Classic, no-info rules and the launch of an ambitious Weekend Series, there existed tension with the anglers, tension with the Federation, the elimination of popular programs like Bassmaster University and the firing of fan favorite Fish Fishburne.
The past decade was certainly the most tumultuous in the history of the sport. Ma BASS went toe-to-toe with the rising force of FLW Outdoors, and at times it seemed the only constant was change.
BassFan, which launched 4 months after ESPN purchased BASS, bore witness to it all. Before ESPN closes the doors on its BASS project, it’s in the interest of history to chronicle that decade of ownership. Thus, this multi-part story presents, in timeline form, highlights (and lowlights) of the ESPN decade of BASS.
A few notes:
> Of course, not all events warrant mention. The timeline primarily deals with significant events like changes to competition format, the Federation split, the rise of the PAA, changes in management and such.
> The following is a BASS timeline. Occurrences involving FLW Outdoors are noted when relevant.
> As in all businesses, some decisions are good for the business and some are bad. It’s easy to look back several years later and make such judgments. The purpose of this timeline is not to serve judgment on any decisions made by BASS, ESPN, its employees, members or athletes. Again, the purpose is to initiate an historical record of the most tumultuous decade in the history of bass fishing.
Year 2001 – The Purchase, Shootout Controversy
April 4 – ESPN, a Walt Disney Co. subsidiary, purchases bass for an amount rumored to be in the $40 million range.
Almost immediately, ESPN/BASS announces a new Bassmaster Classic qualifying format, whereby only 10 pros are guaranteed a Classic spot via the Bassmaster Tour. The rest will go to a 2-day shootout the week before the Classic for the right to compete in the big show. Angler upset forces ESPN to change the number to 30 guaranteed through the Tour. Marks one of the first instances of angler unity that results in a format change at the tour level.
August 1 – Citgo signs a multiyear agreement to become title sponsor of the Bassmaster Tour. Its sponsorship of FLW Outdoors runs through the end of the year.
August 16 – Dean Kessel, who formerly headed up Lowe’s sports marketing, named BASS GM. Kessel and executive VP Helen Sevier report directly to ESPN Outdoors senior VP Michael Rooney.
September 11 – The nation mourns a tragic and cowardly attack on American soil.
September 18 – Pros form the Professional Anglers Association (PAA) with nine elected board members.
October 18 – BASS meets with a 10-man pro advisory board, coined BASS Athletes Advisory Council (BAAC), to discuss how to revamp the Tour. Interestingly, BASS doesn’t accept the nine-man PAA board and instead retains the 10-angler advisory board voted by pro ballot. In attendance are BASS and ESPN brass, as well as Jerry McKinnis, Mike McKinnis and Angie Thompson from ESPN Outdoors’ production company JM Associates of Little Rock, Ark. Most discussed was the idea of shrinking the Tour field but adding events.
October 29 – Gary Morgenstern named executive director of ESPN Outdoors.
November 7 – BASS kills its Classic Shootout, largely based on negative reaction from pros.
November 15 – Although Rooney was de-facto head of ESPN’s outdoors initiatives, he’s named senior VP and GM of ESPN Outdoors and is the senior ESPN manager in charge of BASS. Under the redrawn corporate structure, Rooney gives up his ESPN magazine responsibilities.
December 7 – Operation Bass is renamed FLW Outdoors.
Year 2002 – No Patch/No Points, Federation Tension
January 5 – The first ESPN-produced Bassmaster show appears at 10:30 a.m. on ESPN2. Production value and presentation are significantly higher than recent Bassmaster shows, which had become a pale shadow of the program produced years earlier by former BASS TV guru Bob Cobb.
Tournament director Dewey Kendrick becomes BASS site-selection manager. Trip Weldon promoted to tournament director.
March 8 – BASS Federation directors meet with BASS and ESPN Outdoors officials in Bristol, Conn. to air concerns. According to those who attended the all-day meeting, the result is good – ESPN largely alleviates pre-meeting concerns.
March 15 – The 10-man BAAC resigns over concerns about BASS’s plans for the 2003 Tour. The board tells BASS that all future negotiations on the terms and conditions of the 2003 Tour must be negotiated on the anglers’ behalf by the PAA.
March 27 – BASS announces 2003 Bassmaster Tour with sweeping changes
> The Tour expands to 10 events with a 175-boat field for the first six. After the sixth event, the field cuts to 100, then to 50 for the final two events. The Top 40 of those 50 make the Classic. Four of the events will feature a Megabucks-style “hole course.”
> Field is cut to a TV-friendly Top 12 for day 3 and Top 6 for day 4.
> Tour purse increases 44% to $9.2 million. Payouts become primarily cash and pay down much further through the field.
> New 30-day off-limits is instituted.
> Anglers will fish from BASS-supplied boats on TV days.
> The Western Bassmaster Opens are canceled and remaining Opens change from draw to pro-am.
June 24 – FLW Outdoors releases 2003 FLW Tour schedule, two dates overlap Bassmaster Tour.
June 27 – BASS moves first date that conflicts with FLW Tour. Conflict is never resolved and pros must choose to fish the Walmart Open at Beaver or go west with BASS to Clear Lake and the Delta (after the field cuts to 100).
September 5 – BASS announces pending decision that anglers must wear Busch beer patch in order to win money in the AOY race.
October 11 – ESPN and former BASS owners enter arbitration. At issue is the number of Bassmaster subscribers touted by the former owners, which roughly equates to BASS membership. Money is held in escrow until dispute is settled.
October 15 – BASS announces made-for-TV International Cup, to be held that week at a private lake in Stuttgart, Ark.
October 31 – ESPN and former BASS owners settle arbitration. Two sources familiar with the proceedings say former BASS owners receive $4 million out of a possible $5 million in a settlement that was agreed to on the day the arbitration began. BASS averages 560,000 paid subscribers at the time – a combination of membership and newsstand sales.
Photo: BASS
The no-patch, no-points conflict was a heated point of discussion in 2002. To left is the original patch, to right is the redesigned version.
November 11 – Pros are surprised when BASS announces the Busch patch is not a true contingency program – they must display the patch on their shirt and boat in order to receive AOY points. The BAAC, which is essentially now the PAA board – a fact BASS does not acknowledge – meets with BASS the next day. Several suggestions are made. BASS agrees to take suggestions to Busch.
December 5 – In a conference call with the BAAC, BASS grants the requests. The Busch logo is substantially toned down to more represent the Tour and AOY race. The eventual AOY is also granted a right to decline appearances in Busch media and events. Nevertheless, several pros either refuse to fish BASS or to wear the patch, including Lendell Martin, Jr., Randy Blaukat, Clark Wendlandt and David Walker.
Year 2003 – More Tour Changes, More Federation Tension
January 7 – Weldon announces several formative Tour rules. Nets prohibited, anchor rule thrown out, incremental fish-care penalties instituted, former pros prohibited from fishing amateur division, 30-day off-limits/no-info rule codified.
March 15 – The airing of David Wharton’s win at Toledo Bend is the highest-rated “The Bassmasters” TV show so far on ESPN2. Its 0.47 rating represents an average of 396,000 households. Yet those ratings are lower than the old Bob Cobb-produced shows, although the Cobb shows aired at a time when fewer cable networks were available to viewers.
May – Kessel and national Federation director Al Smith meet with Federation presidents at the National Championship to float several changes under consideration. Reaction is negative and the individual Federations, which BASS does not own, incorporate as The Bass Federation, Inc.
June – BASS wants a BFL-like weekend trail, which leads to further concern from the Federations, since the new trail would conceivably be a competitor. The two parties had talked about getting the Federations involved in such a trail in the preceding months, but those talks fizzled.
June 13 – Irwin Jacobs makes his first overture to the Federation and tells BassFan: “We would welcome them like a family welcomes somebody home to their house, with our door wide open, if they wanted to become associated with us in any way, shape or form. I would be pleased to work something out to welcome the Federations into some relationship without even knowing what that is.”
July 7 – BASS fires Smith, which further strains relations between BASS and the Federation. Many Federation leaders see Smith as a “fall guy” for mistakes made by Kessel.
July 25 – BASS announces new Elite 50 concept and series for 2004. Field draws from BASS all-time money list, 3-year Tour points average, current Tour points and reigning title-holders. The series offers a $1.6 million purse with no entry fees.
August 14 – BASS announces 2004 Tour. Still at 10 events (six Tour, four Elite 50).
August 19 – Don Corkran returns as Federation director.
September 3 – BASS releases more details of 2004 Tour. Shrinks the field from 175 to 150. Each of the six Tour events will offer the same all-cash payout as 2003: $448,000 per event with a 1st-place check of $100,000. Anglers who finish in 58th-75th place will win back their entry fees. Eligibility based on previous Tour standing, but exemptions offered for past accomplishments. No hole-style formats on the Tour, but E50s will all be hole-style. E50s are first tour-level events to use observers. Winter/spring-loaded Tour schedule ends in early March.
September 13 – Kessel pens an open letter to the Federation, published in September BASS Times, in response to open letter from the Federation “Fab 5” to ESPN/BASS. The Federation’s letter was highly critical of Kessel. Kessel seeks to quell the divisiveness and what he sees as the desire of some to move the Federation from BASS.
September 29 – FLW schedules its 2005 FLW Tour Championship (FLWTC) on top of the Classic.
October 1 – Jacobs announces he’ll move the FLWTC date.
October 7 – Citgo takes over title sponsorship of the AOY race.
October 13 – Christine Godleski, former ESPN Outdoors director of operations, promoted to VP and general manager of ESPN Outdoors. Kessel reports to her.
October 23 – BASS announces made-for-TV Busch Shootout. Anglers qualify based on heaviest single-day weights. Busch also pays big-bag money on each Tour competition day, and offers prize of $1 million if Dean Rojas’ record is broken.
December 3 – BASS announces new points system based on the NASCAR formula – tiered points and bonus for daily leader.
Year 2004 – Enter Rucks, Bass Block Launches
January 31 – Fish Fishburne declines “take it or leave it” contract offer from ESPN (not BASS).
Photo: BASS
Don Rucks was named BASS GM in September 2004.
February 4 – After fan uproar, Fishburne is hired by BASS to emcee.
March 17 – BASS announces return to one-boat/one-motor sponsor arrangement, effective June 16. Triton and Mercury are the sponsors.
March 18 – BASS makes a change to its Elite 50s qualification system in the middle of the Tour season. The Elite 50s now use season-ending points for the prior 3 years, instead of the first six events of each season. The core issue is that anglers received points for catching no fish during the current season. Elias quits BAAC in disgust.
April 6 – Ray Scott “returns” to BASS and will appear at BASS events.
April 14 – First Elite 50 begins.
June – BASS sponsors NASCAR Charter Racing No. 60 Ford driven by Greg Biffle.
June 16 – BASS announces 2005 Classic will be at Pittsburgh.
July 1 – FLW Tour 2005 purse increases by $800,000, with $10,000 paid through 50th. Entry fees raised again.
July 9 – Crown Royal, one of the most visible independent sponsors in the sport and a participant since 1998, pulls out and dissolves its 12-man fishing team. Redirects sports marketing toward auto-racing as NASCAR now allows distilled-spirit sponsorships.
August 25 – Byron Velvick named as the next TV’s The Bachelor.
September 15 – Former Citgo marketer Don Rucks named GM of BASS and reports to Godleski. Kessel demoted to newly created position of VP of BASS Operations, where he oversees BASS conservation, events, Federation and publications groups. Kessel reports to Rucks. Also several shuffles within ESPN.
September 22 – BASS announces pilot “weekend” event to serve as a test for its expected new weekend circuit.
October 4 – BASS announces its much-anticipated ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Weekend Series with a BFL-like structure and national championship. Inaugural season to include 80 events over four regions. Entry fee set at $200 for boaters and $100 for non-boaters. Classic spot given to national champion.
October 6 – Citgo renews its sponsorship of BASS through 2009.
October 11 – ESPN announces new BassCenter and Loudmouth Bass shows to air Saturday mornings.
October 18 – Official word lands that BASS will leave its hallowed halls in Montgomery, Ala. and move to Celebration, Fla. ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer notes: “Moving to Walt Disney World will tremendously enhance our ability to grow the sport. Our efforts to expand our reach and improve the fishing experience for millions of visitors will clearly benefit from the unique combination of fantastic fishing venues and the marketing capabilities of both groups.”
Photo: BASS
Fish Fishburne was fired from his emcee job shortly after Rucks assumed the BASS helm.
November – Several anglers are successful in negotiating independent title-sponsor boat wraps, but still must use BASS-sponsor boats on TV days – a policy that began in 2003. Pros state they were told by BASS that the 2003 experiment was for 2 years, but new BASS sponsor contracts extend through 2008. The BAAC meets with BASS to voice concerns. Seeds for a rekindled PAA are planted.
November 9 – Rucks fires Fishburne. Keith Alan will replace him.
November 10 – After a 10-year relationship, major sponsor Flowmaster leaves BASS.
November 19 – 2005 Federation National Championship announced. Venue is split – 2 days at Toho and 2 days at Walt Disney World’s Bay Lake.
December 1 – Although BASS previously set a hard deadline for its new $20 Federation dues, it backpedals and extends the deadline. The original $15 deadline stands, but additional $5 can be paid 4 months later.
December 7 – Don Butler, the first BASS member, passes after a long fight with bone cancer.
December 14 – ESPN announces full details of its new Saturday “Bass Block.”
December 15 – Deadline for BASS employees to decide whether they’ll move to Florida or lose their jobs.
December 21 – BASS and the BAAC meet again to discuss boat issue.
– End of part 1 –
A Walk Through History – Part 2 (2005)
2005 Redefined And Further Split The Sport
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Photo: ESPN Outdoors
The Elite 50s were still a big deal in 2005, but would be replaced by the Majors the following year.
(Editor’s note: This is the second part of a multi-part story that chronicles, in timeline form, major milestones and events during the ESPN era of BASS. This part deals exclusively with the year 2005.)
January 3 – Registration opens for inaugural Weekend Series season.
January 11 – Federation national director Don Corkran decides he won’t relocate to Florida with BASS.
January 21 – BASS unveils sweeping changes to Tour, to take effect in 2006. Schedule stretches from spring through fall across 11 events plus three majors (dates given, venues not announced). E50s dropped for new Majors, Classic moved to February, Classic 1st-place prize increased from $200,000 to $500,000, with additional $300,000 paid through field. Majors are no-entry-fee with small field and $250,000 1st-place cash prize. With Classic move, 2005 standings determine qualification for two Classics. The 2006 Classic will fill field based on prior 2005 Classic and E50 finishes.
January 22 – BASS and the Bass Anglers Advisory Council (BAAC) meet in Bristol, Conn. News leaks several months later that BASS proposes giving pros their boats back on TV days, provided they display BASS sponsors on a quarter of the gunwale space (a “quarter panel,” a la NASCAR), plus carve out a quarter of the front of their tour jerseys for BASS sponsors.
January 26 – BASS adds sixth Federation division, Mid-Atlantic, and an additional Classic spot for that division’s qualifier.
February 9 – Longtime BASS sponsor Chevy gets back into fishing sponsorship, but signs with FLW Outdoors, not BASS. Toyota is already the official truck of BASS.
February 15 – Rumors intensify that Brunswick Corp. parent of Mercury Marine, will purchase Triton Boats. Mercury and Triton are the sole motor and boat sponsors of BASS.
February 22 – The BAAC addresses pros at the Guntersville Bassmaster Tour practice in order to present proposals BASS is considering. Consensus arises that pros must revive the dormant PAA.
February 25 – The BAAC and pros meet again at Guntersville. Anglers vote unanimously to contribute 1% of individual earnings to fund PAA. Hints of plans to stage tournaments.
March 16 – BASS revises 2005 E50 payout schedules. Anglers now paid after each event, rather than final lump sum.
March 25 – News surfaces that the pros plan to meet again, this time at the Table Rock Tour event, to further discuss a revived PAA. Same day, BASS announced 2005 Open payouts. Entry fees raised. Open Championship payout upped at expense of individual event payouts.
March 28 – Pros meet at Table Rock and officially revive the PAA with 100 immediate members. Elected officers are Kevin VanDam (president), Mark Davis (VP), Mike Auten (secretary) and Jay Yelas (treasurer).
March 31 – BASS announces new set of sweeping changes to 2006 Tour. After announcing plans earlier in the year (see Jan. 21), BASS makes full announcement of 2006 Tour. Details include:
> 200-boat field
> Increased payouts down to 125th place
> Changes cut format to 75 pros on day 3 (up from 12) and 12 pros on day 4 (up from 6).
> Pros fish in BASS boats only on day 4.
> Tiered entry fees charge pros more when they make the cut.
> Ability for top pro(s) from FLW Tour and WON Bass to join Tour.
> Classic field expanded to 50 boats for 2006 and beyond (more Tour pros make it).
> Entire Classic and Majors final days will air live on ESPN or ESPN2.
> Still no 2006 venues announced.
April 5 – FLW Outdoors chairman Irwin Jacobs addresses the Bassmaster Tour expansion and tells BassFan: “I think it will be difficult for (tour pros) to leave our tournaments and go fish (the Bassmaster Tour) when they see our schedule next year and the money we’re giving away. I’ve said many times that I don’t want to see anything bad happen to BASS, for boating and fishing and everything else. But I’m very confused as to what they’re trying to do, and I think it’s very confusing to the anglers.”
April 6 – BASS/ESPN director of sponsor fulfillment Hunter Cole, a 20-year employee, opts out of the Florida move and joins Mann’s Bait Co.
April 8 – BASS confirms 2006 Tour and Majors dates. Still no venues announced. Reworks Tour points to a 400-point system to further reward top finishers. Adds “wildcard” slots for Majors, whereby Top 4 in Tour points immediately prior to each Major qualify.
April 14 – BASS releases 2006 Tour payout details.
> Each Tour event pays out $77,950 more vs. the 2005 payout. Thirty-five percent of that (or $27,650 per event) comes in the new payout places, 76th-125th.
> Anglers 60th through 75th get $3,000, which is the total entry fee for anyone who finishes 1st through 75th. Anglers 35th through 59th get $3,500.
> 1st place still pays $100,000 but 2nd place is a little bit less – $30,000 in 2006 vs. $38,000 in 2005.
> The Classic and the Elite 50s (Majors) pay out better, at $325,500 and $285,500 (per event) more, respectively. Again, 1st at the Classic will be $500,000 to match the FLW championship and 1st at a BASS Major is worth $250,000.
April 20 – PAA makes its first official public statement. Announces Gene Ellison as interim executive director. BAAC resigns. PAA finds BASS’s proposed 2006 Tour “very disappointing” and decides to make it “a top priority.”
April 22 – Ray Scott confirmed as emcee for the following week’s 2005 Federation National Championship.
April 25 – BASS leaves Montgomery, Ala. for new headquarters in Celebration, Fla. Former BASS salesman and Classic Outdoor Expo director Mike Swain opts out of the move and joins BassFan.
April 26 – BASS is short non-boaters for the Rayburn Central Open and must pair some pros with pros. Late schedule announcement seen as problematic. Also, word leaks that sponsors meet with BASS to discuss their increased overhead for expanded Tour.
May 5 – Pros air concerns about 2006 Tour format. Larger fields, bigger entry fees main concerns.
May 6 – In a BASS Times article, BASS GM Don Rucks notes that BASS will dump its co-angler shared-weight format on the 2006 Bassmaster Tour. Under the previous rule, a co-angler’s weight was added to the pro partner’s weight each day. Some felt the rule left too much to chance – the co-angler’s standing was dependent on his pro partner’s performance. It also could be problematic for rules enforcement, since a co-angler benefits from a pro’s weight, and might be less apt to report rules infractions.
May 17 – BASS notifies pros via letter of an angler-relations meeting at the upcoming Lewisville E50. This comes after the PAA sends a letter to BASS requesting a meeting between the PAA and BASS.
Photo: ESPN Outdoors
BAAC members met with BASS and ESPN brass at the Lewisville E50. The event itself was a resounding success with huge crowds.
May 31 – Brunswick buys Triton.
June 1 – PAA publishes a newsletter on its site that discusses desire to plan and host fund-raising pro tournaments.
June 2 – BASS holds angler-relation meeting at Lewisville E50. Rucks makes clear that Ellison not invited to attend. Less than 15 pros attend – many are PAA boardmembers. Statements from PAA and BASS paint a rosy picture, but details later emerge that discussion is heated, and ESPN senior VP of programming and production Mark Quenzel reportedly warns PAA against running its own tournaments.
June 4 – Massive crowds turn out for Lewisville E50 final weigh-in.
June 19 – BASS unveils its 2006 Tour venues at 5:30 p.m. (Sunday) on BASS Madness: The 2006 Site Selection Special TV show on ESPN. BassCenter immediately follows. Schedule includes geographic “legs,” which are nicknamed, as are the Tour stops. Regarded as the strongest schedule ever for a Tour, with stops that coincide with peak bites. Classic site announced as Toho, in backyard of new BASS headquarters.
June 16 – BASS announces new Women’s Bassmaster Tour (WBT), to begin in 2006. Dates will coincide with “men’s” Tour stops.
June 22 – BassFan publishes story that examines potential discrepancy in the way points were distributed in 2005 E50s for Top 12 pros who zeroed on a day of competition (after weights are zeroed at the cut). The discrepancy most affects Gary Klein, who’s currently first out of the Classic in the E50s.
July 8 – After ESPN refuses to precede references to the FLW Tour and FLW Outdoors with Walmart, FLW Outdoors bars ESPN cameras from its upcoming Forrest L. Wood Championship. Later allows cameras in.
July 12 – BASS rules that Klein will fish Classic. Adds additional spot for him in both 2005 and 2006 Classics. Some pros feel the decision undermines Weldon’s authority.
July 15 – BASS hires Gary Jones as director of angler relations. Jones notes in his announcement letter to pros: “While we had the best of intentions in setting up the Tour program…we now realize we need to rethink several key issues. In our opinion, it was a bold, courageous step to completely redesign the world’s most prestigious professional tour. But it takes even more courage to admit that we didn’t get it completely right. We will announce our new plans after the upcoming Bassmaster Classic, but before Sept. 1, 2005. This should give us plenty of time to hear from every angler with a stake in the Tour – and ensure that we get it exactly right this time.”
July 20 – BASS clarifies that Jones is not only director of angler relations, but also Federation director. Thus he replaces Corkran who didn’t move to Florida.
July 26 – Humminbird unveils Side-Imaging at ICAST – technology that’ll redefine tour angling in the years to come.
July 31 – VanDam wins Pittsburgh Classic. BASS and ESPN officially recognize the PAA when Ellison meets with Rucks, Kessel and Quenzel at the Classic. “They did contact me, and we had a very pleasant meeting at the Classic on Sunday – the final day of the tournament,” Ellison says. “It really was, in my opinion, a very productive introductory meeting. They stated they officially recognize the PAA.”
August 15 – The PAA meets with BASS/ESPN. Several PAA boardmembers present. Brass includes Rucks, Kessel, Quenzel, Jones, Weldon and George McNeilly (BASS communications). Also in attendance is McKinnis. BASS floats ideas about a new Elite Series.
August 18 – The PAA issues details of the meeting, including aggressive entry-fee structure, reduced field, boat-wrap requirements and more. The PAA’s details also tell of another warning from Quenzel about the PAA hosting its own tournaments. According to the PAA, Quenzel said: “The minute you enter the tournament business, you become just another competitor, and I will protect ESPN’s business interests. This is not a threat, but take it how you want it.” The PAA also question’s the Tour’s financial structure.
August 19 – BASS counters PAA rhetoric by issuing a prepared statement: “There have been significant omissions and gross misrepresentations made by the PAA. Furthermore, we categorically disagree with assertions made by PAA leadership questioning the long-time stability and success of the Bassmaster Tour. We view their comments as baseless and without merit.”
August 26 – BASS unveils yet another round of sweeping Tour changes. This one, with plans for the Elite Series, finally sticks. Details, many of which were previously leaked by the PAA, include:
> 100-boat field with rigid qualifying and requalifying structure.
> Top 50 fish day 3, Top 12 fish day 4. Pros use BASS-supplied boats on day 4. Competition airs in episodes on ESPN2, with same-day coverage of the Majors final days on ESPN2.
> Total entry fees are $50,000 (a 260% increase over 2005).
> Second-chance Wildcard Qualifier after end of season.
> Rolling 3-year points average used for 50-boat Majors qualification.
> Bassmaster Northern and Southern Tours replace Opens.
September 1 – Jay Yelas publishes a letter titled What Happened to BASS Class? He officially leaves BASS competition for FLW and voices opposition to BASS’s direction. “For the first time in BASS’s history, profits seemed to become more important to them than people,” Yelas writes.
September 5 – Yelas and Mark Davis, as PAA boardmembers, meet with Jacobs to discuss possibilities for pros who don’t want to fish the new Elite Series.
September 15 – BASS releases secret location of Busch Shootout as Table Rock. Event begins the next day.
Late September – BASS pros receive the Elite Series rules packet via mail, which is titled “Elite Series Participation Agreement.” A section titled “Raising the Standards” raises several eyebrows, as does Rule 24, which states (in part): “BASS may, however, restrict the use of patches, logos, signage, etc. that promote or advertise products which are, in BASS’ sole judgment, in competition with the products or services of official BASS sponsors or which are, in BASS’ sole judgment, in poor taste.” Pros spooked by new section titled “Media Comments, Public Attacks.” Pros must submit their boat wraps to BASS for okay, and the display of competitive tournament trails is prohibited. Spaces are reserved for BASS signage. Skeeter temporarily balks on sponsoring BASS pros due to fear of BASS-reserved signage, which might include Triton and Mercury. FLW team anglers perceivably barred through the new rules, as their boats would, by contract, contain FLW signage. Everyone largely in a holding pattern until further details emerge. Polygraph rule reinstated.
September 28 – BASS backpedals on Rule 24, which now reads (in part): “BASS may, however, restrict the use of patches, logos, signage etc. that promote or advertise products which are, in BASS’ sole judgment, in poor taste.” Also:
> Anglers will not be required to display conflicting logos, except in the case of BASS title sponsors.
> For livewell-lid decals, anglers may choose one logo from a list of BASS sponsors.
> Anglers may retain the boat brand and model description on the rear quarter-panel of their boat “if part of the standard OEM design.”
> Anglers still may not display competitive tournament-trail logos on their jerseys or their boats.
Photo: ESPN Outdoors
The first version of BASS’s wrap-boat template that appeared in the Elite Series Participation Agreement mailed to pros. It shows reserved space for BASS and BASS-sponsor logos in blue. It was later revised.
September 30 – BASS moves Elite Series registration deadline from Oct. 14 to Nov. 1. On the same day, the PAA issues a press release that its members and the PAA board are opposed to the Elite Series Participation Agreement. The release states: “Since the new regulations and stipulations imposed would cause anglers to violate existing sponsor agreements, our anglers’ sponsor contracts legally prevent them from signing the BASS contracts.”
October 10 – BASS announces site of 2006 Federation National Championship – the Harris Chain – marking the second consecutive Florida National Championship.
October 11 – Based on conversation with PAA (Yelas and Davis), FLW announces new five-event FLW Series with hybrid rules package to accommodate BASS pros who don’t want to fish the new Elite Series. FLW also morphs championship format into the Forrest Wood Cup – a Classic-like event that draws from grassroots trails as well as the tour level. BASS releases “final version” of Elite Series Participation Agreement which grants several logo concessions to pros. Rucks states: “In response to our Elite Series, other tournament organizations have announced their plans for the upcoming year. I hope you will take a very close look at what they are offering. If you do, you’ll see they lack the forethought, synergy and vision of BASS’s direction. We realize it may be a big commitment to fish the Elite Series, but the toughest decision is not to fish, as it will be extremely difficult to get back in once you’re out. Finally, I’d like to remind each of you that life is a journey, not a destination. I hope you’ll join me on this journey as we redefine the sport of professional bass fishing and take it to a new age of prosperity and prestige.”
October 12 – PAA issues statement that lauds the new FLW Series, but also reconfirms its own plans to host events.
October 13 – BASS releases 2006 Northern and Southern Tour dates and payouts.
October 17 – Rucks confirms that BASS will guarantee 2006 Elite Series payouts even if field is not full.
Late October – With Nov. 1 Elite Series deadline near, several BASS stars opt out of the Elite Series, including Larry Nixon, Ron Shuffield, George Cochran, Stacey King, David Walker, Randy Blaukat, David Fritts, Luke Clausen, Dion Hibdon and Mark Davis. FLW star Greg Hackney opts out of FLW for the Elite Series. Some pros choose to fish both tours – a grueling 20-event schedule, plus championships.
October 31 – On the eve of the Nov. 1 deadline, PAA president Kevin VanDam commits to the Elite Series. BASS quotes VanDam: “The Elite Series is the best model we’ve ever had in the sport that will truly grow an angler’s identity and offer a tremendous earning potential and opportunity. The smaller fields allow people to really get in their own gameplan, get out and shine. There’s tremendous opportunity and a lot of money to be won.”
November 7 – Quenzel leaves ESPN for “personal reasons.” Many see him as the key player in ESPN’s acquisition of BASS. After management reorganization, John Skipper, who’s credited with the launch of ESPN The Magazine, is now responsible for all ESPN content, including BASS and ESPN Outdoors. Skipper reports to ESPN president George Bodenheimer. Christine Godleski, still VP and GM of ESPN Outdoors, reports to Skipper.
November 15 – ESPN revamps Saturday Bass Block. Cancels Loudmouth Bass and retools BassCenter for a softer presentation.
November 18 – The BASS/Federation rift reaches critical mass and questions arise as to whether the Federation will keep its affiliation with BASS. Rucks sends an open letter to all Federation members and revokes the BASS memberships of the six Federation divisional representatives – Robert Cartlidge, Chuck Rolfsmeyer, Gary Bradford, Joe McKinnon, Mike Dunkerly and Charles Mitchell. Cartlidge also serves as president of The Bass Federation Inc. (TBF Inc.). In addition, TBF Inc. VP Roger Fitchett has his BASS membership revoked. Rucks accuses the seven of threatening “illegal” activity.
> The root of the issue is the dues increase. BASS increased Federation dues from $15 to $20, but the divisional reps say BASS cannot institute a dues increase. According to them, BASS may propose a dues increase, but it ultimately must be approved by the state presidents. They suggest to the state presidents that they not support the dues increase, and rather than have members submit dues directly to BASS, ask the state Federations to collect the money and hold it until a meeting in early January, when the presidents and divisional reps will decide “a final path forward for the Federation as a whole.”
> Cartlidge tells BassFan that he asked the state presidents to withhold the money from BASS because: “We’ve been pushing for over a year now for an accounting from BASS of where the current money’s going, and have been unable to get those questions answered satisfactorily. We would need that before sending more money that’s not being accounted for into BASS.”
> Rucks states in the letter: “By instructing State Federation presidents to withhold 2006 club/member dues, which must be received by BASS by Dec. 31, 2005, the seven ‘divisional representatives’ have crossed the line. We are compelled to act, and to act decisively. To do otherwise would be detrimental to the sport of bass fishing. Threatening to illegally withhold annual BASS membership dues is a deliberate attempt to jeopardize the business of BASS and operations of the BASS Federation. By authority granted BASS in the BASS Federation Divisional Representatives Group Operating Policies and Procedures, BASS has decided to dismiss the Federation Presidents Advisory members and to terminate this Board indefinitely.”
> Jacobs makes overture to Federation in interview with BassFan when he says: “It’s a crying shame what’s happened to this thing in the form of a deteriorating relationship. I have no idea why (BASS) did what they did. I read the letter (from Rucks). I think it’s the nastiest letter I’ve ever read in my entire life to anybody, particularly in an open forum. So I don’t know what these people have in mind, but as far as I’m concerned, we welcome them (the Federation) into our family. I’m ready any day these people want to sit down and talk to me.”
November 29 – BASS founder Scott weighs in on the Federation controversy in a BassFan interview. He says both sides share blame, but calls the divisional reps “a cancer” that should have been cut from the Federation body when the initial trouble brewed in ’03.
Photo: ESPN Outdoors
Mark Quenzel (pictured) left ESPN in November 2005, after which John Skipper became the senior ESPN manager in charge of ESPN Outdoors and BASS.
Week of December 7 – Jacobs meets with Federation divisional reps and makes offer to affiliate with FLW. Reacts to Scott’s description of the reps as a “cancer” and says Scott should “go off into the sunset very quietly.” States intention to meet with Federation presidents in Florida at the National Championship.
December 7 – ESPN regains NASCAR broadcast rights, which it lost in 2000. Signs an 8-year broadcast agreement. Many feel ESPN’s decision to purchase BASS stemmed from its loss of NASCAR in 2000.
December 14 – BASS announces that more than 100 pros have registered for the Elite Series.
December 19 – Ellison confirms the PAA is in talks to host a charity event in conjunction with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
December 23 – BASS includes a document, titled FAQ About BASS and the BASS Federation, in enrollment packets to individual Federation clubs. The 3,000-word document clarifies BASS’s position concerning recent events. It additionally assures state Federations that, no matter what happens, its anglers will be able to fish all events they qualified for, including the Bassmaster Classic. Also notable is the strong language used to describe FLW Outdoors chairman Irwin Jacobs: “Jacobs, known as ‘Irv the Liquidator’ in corporate circles, made his mark in the business world through hostile corporate takeovers, not in the fishing industry. If he were truly interested in the Federation, he would certainly have tried to build his own by now. Instead he conspires to reach the top of our sport by climbing on the backs of the giants who built it — men like Ray Scott. Now he wants to use you for the same purpose. Is this the sort of man with whom you want to be aligned? With all of his resources and the time he’s already been in the industry, what has Jacobs done for conservation? What has he done for youth? What has he done to support and perpetuate the fishing industry?”
After the craziest year in the history of bass-fishing, the sport retreats for a few days of needed rest at Christmas, and an anonymous BassFan treats us all to the following Christmas Eve verse…
‘Twas right before the Classic, with thoughts at the “mouse,” that these Federations guys were creating a rouse. BASS’s strategy was set and made very clear, in hopes Irwin Jacobs was missing, and not soon appear. Management was quite happy, all smug with their plan, with visions of Ray Scott behind them, to serve as front-man. Everything was set, the event a sensation, but who should appear but The Bass Federation.
Now some of you can’t fish because of five bucks, that was made clear from our leader Don Rucks. Now Robert and Chuck, and Gary and Joe, Michael, Charley and Rodger, you’ve been let go. We’ll no longer put up with your unparalleled gall, now go away, go away, go away all!
Another error of judgment on BASS’s part, done hastily in public, and not very smart. When out of the crowd came a statement, en masse, ‘Don’t treat us this way, you bigwigs from Ma BASS! We volunteer our time, not a penny we ask, We consider it our pleasure, not a disagreeable task.’
Opportunities have opened, they’ve begun to abound, BASS and the Federation should have reached common ground. No one party’s quite innocent in this new rift, we’re all partly to blame, and should cool off real swift. The world we inhabit has changed quite a bit, the evolution of our sport should not cause this split.
BassFan’s reporting is honest, and should not pose a threat, as knowledge is crucial, though some will be upset. The more we all know, the better decisions we’ll make, as it’s just too important to commit a mistake.
So back to the message, back to the score, the Federation wants answers, that we implore. Some think we’re disorganized and unable to agree, to BASS this mistake Gary Jones should not guarantee. We are not just fishermen, we’re much more than that, ’cause conservation and youth won’t lose in this spat. We’re made up of volunteers, who give more than get, and don’t take well to a big corporate threat. We want to get back to our roots and our goals, and hope our elected reps don’t abuse their new roles. It’s unfortunate politics has taken center stage, while polluters and PETA continue their rage.
Now there’s more to the story, more to unfold, anticipating outcomes would be far too bold. But we’ll shout from the rooftops, and type on the net, a firm message to those who should not soon forget. That we’re good and we’re strong and we won’t go away, ’cause the Federation is here, and it’s going to stay!
(Additional parts of the article, when posted at bassfan.com, will be added here.)
