Where is this sport going anyway???

[Bill McElroy]

After reading this article,..it really makes me wonder if "Professional Fishing" is actually growing,...or if the "powers that be" are running it into the ground!! With the ridiculous co-angler rule changes that ESPN/BASS are putting in place for their tourney's and the already heavy handed tactics of the FLW,....and now THIS??? Unreal!!



BTW,..."Scales and Tales" will be appearing on BassFan's Homepage starting sometime this week!! And with the state of the sport in constant (and controversial) change like it is now,...I WON'T be hurting for idea's!! The panel will be updated weekly!!



Carry on,...

Mac
http://bassfan.com/insider_article.asp?id=192

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

That's simple, BASS/ESPN has sponsors and those sponsors pay for the air time. Why should they let any other sponsors get free advertising on their dime? Not to say I agree with it, but it is very easy to understand. This surely puts a kink in boat deals (Triton is the boat sponsor of BASS) as well as other non-bass sponsors, if the pro's can't run their own badged sponsor boats. Basicly what they have done is reduce the exposure to trail weigh-in's and personal appearances, and that ain't squat of a return for an advertiser/sponsor. Makes it tough no doubt and it is turining into a "good ol' boys" situation.



Makes you wonder how NASCAR didn't get stung by this same bee? Those cars (same as boats) are rolling billboards with a lot of non-racing related products (Viagra, Home Depot, Soft drinks, etc.) And the payouts are huuuuuge!! My guess is that NASCAR needs the car manufacturers (Ford, Chevy, Dodge) to help with increasing the sheer numbers of competitors and fans (who pay for tickets). If they said nothing but Chevy's....there goes their fan base.



BASS is being railroaded and somebody is getting their pockets lined pretty thick, you can mark my words.



TOXIC

 

[Herndonpro]

You say race cars are running around as bill boards for non-racing related products. How many racing related products is the average consumer going to use and buy. Maybe oil and batteries, the gas that they use is not even the same as you put in a regular road car. The car owners are independent contractors and have to spend millions to compete at the high level. There are not enough sponsor of so called core or traditional race sponsor to go around. It is the same in fishing. There are not enough fishing product companies(boats, motors, lures, trucks, ect...) to go around and there advertising budgets are a drop in the bucket compared to larger main stream product companies. If a company like Avon or Pampers thought bass fishing would reach their target audience they would invest dollars in fishing or Nascar, but they feel that is not their market, so they don't put in the dollars.

The reallity is it is expensive to travel and fish any of the professional curcuits and the only way you get paid is through tournament winnings or sponsors. If someone is going to do this they need some guarantee that they will have the monies to make it through a season and I don't see BASS or FLW offering shares of there sponsor dollars to make this happen. I agree that ESPN has the right to sell adverting as they see fit, but they are run more like professional baseball, football, or basketball (players have guarantees to get paid regardless of preformance)than golf or Nascar.

At this point it is probably the fault of the fisherman for not having more forsight as to what could of happened in the future and now here they are and have to live with it for at least a few more years.



My two cents.



HP

 

[Bill McElroy]

The difference between NASCAR and Fishing is HUUUGE!! As much as fishing wants to mimic Nascar, they are worlds apart in their tactics! Everybody in NASCAR works "together" to maximize their bang for the buck. In the fishing world,...everyone wants "exclusivity" and there is a TON of "bickering and pettiness" that goes on behind closed doors that kills a lot of deals!! (i.e...we don't want to work with so-and-so, or we don't want our logo BELOW THEIRS, we want "X" amount of your time BEFORE you work with them, etc..etc....it all revolves around media exposure and TV air-time and "what's in it for us?!") All of that is part of the business world, but now, with the major tours signing multi-year contracts with companies and requiring the Pro's to fish out of wrapped boats on the final days, (read, TV Coverage) that are not even the same brand as the Pro's personal boat,......where's the return for the Pro's main sponsors??,...especially if they don't run the same boat??...During the E50's for example...I saw KVD fishing out of a Triton on the final 2 days, with the BASS PRO SHOPS wrap on it!!..HELLOOO!! Now WHY would Nitro have a "no wraps allowed" policy in place for their own pro staff's tour boats,..yet BPS pays BIG sponsorship money to the E50's and their logo is blazened all over a TRITON!!

Granted,...BPS and TM are seperate companies, with their own seperate mgt, policies, and budgets....BUT,..There's no reason in the world why BPS and TM should not have the BEST looking and most visible boats and ProStaff's in the industry,...it's all about TEAMWORK and there's very little of that in the fishing industry!! BPS logo's should be all over Nitro's at EVERY level (State Team, National Team and ProStaff)...and NOT plastered all over Triton's!! I know that Triton is the exclusive boat sponsor for BASS and BPS is an associate sponsor of the E50's,..therefore a wrapped Triton is required,..BUT,..why doesn't BPS and TM work closer together all the time, to maximize their marketing power and brand awareness throughout every level of this sport??!! I just find it very odd, that the ONLY place I've ever seen a BPS wrap was on a Triton!! It's all about exclusivity now and it's only going to get worse IMHO!! All of the associate sponsors in NASCAR work together for the sake of the sport and they all benefit as a result. (Plus the fact that the France family still owns NASCAR and they call the shots,...it's not a publicly owned and operated company with stockholders!!) That's exactly why that sport is as HUUGE as it is....fishing isn't there yet, and at the pace it's going,..it'll never get there!! It's WAAYY too territorial, and nobody wants anybody else to move in on theirs stuff, let alone work together to WIN!



anyway,...carry on,...

Mac

 

[TOMMY RICH]

This all started years ago with people trying to stretch or actually bend the rules and some catches being questioned with some infractions.

Too many rules that are made up to "suit their needs" or to many "CYA" rules.

I agree Mac with all the "crap" that's been goin on'...It's just giving the sport a black eye! I don't fish tournies like I used to because of some of those thing I just mentioned...In particular,"catches that were certifiably questionable"....especially for the lakes being fished(not normal) and rumors abound after money changing hands

And ain't that what this is all about..."The ol' mighty dollar'?

 

[Texas Transplant]

Here's part of my take on this.



For quite a while, the sponsorship 'scenario' was growing and doing well, in certain areas and for certain anglers. There was competition among anglers for sponsorships, but new items were being added and upgraded. Then new technology also helped - wrapped boats and vehicles.



Somewhere along the line (not sure of the exact timing), FLW came on board as another major player. They changed the playing field and the rules, considerably. I 'believe' that some of the newer items (like the sponsorship that ESPN/BASS has, especially with branding in the finals and wrapped boats, is a direct result of the moves that FLW made with their tourneys. Is that bad, not sure. Is that good, not sure either.



What many of the anglers are seeing is that sweet deals that they had (the Brauer's as an example), are now not as sweet. The anlgers that just fish the BASS circuit, are now faced with the same situation as the anglers that primarily fish the FLW circuit. If your boat sponsorship is not one of the 'main line' sponsors, you are going to be fishing out of a different make/model of boat in the finals (or after the cut).



In one way, the sport is growing. In another it's shrinking. I'm sure that Triton looked closely at the FLW situation (really not sure whether it was a boat mfg or ESPN/BASS that initiated the thinking) and figured out that if they did a deal with ESPN/BASS for exclusive rights, they would benefit. Several other manufacturers participated in the 'bidding', but Triton and Mercury won.



Let's face it, GM, Ford and Chrysler get major benefit from NASCAR. Lot's of other mfg's that aren't in that mix, but are MAJOR players in the overall market.



Tex

 

[Texas Transplant]

And Mac, congrat's on the BassFan deal. Will be looking forward to seeing it.



Tex

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

I don't want to sound crass here but look at the numbers of fishermen who compete in tournaments, look at how many actually make it to the podium where John Q. Public can see the patches on his/her shirt or the boat that he drives. Look at the massive numbers of people a sponsor would have to give either entry fees or product to get noticed again by John Q. Public...the buying public by the way.....In the long run it is not a very good use of advertising $$. An ad in Bassmaster or Field and Stream would reach many more people. Especially if the TV coverage is removed or sponsor controlled (the current BASS/ESPN situation).



TO be honest, that is exactly why I have not concentrated on tournament trails, my sponsors like the fact that I put their product in people's hands and these are the people who actually buy the product. I can guarantee you that I talk to more people in one outdoor show (including seminars and demonstrations) than your average sponsored tournament fisherman (other than the top pro's) will talk to in 3 years. It's all about sales with sponsores. They could care less about your TX wins. Here's an example of what a client (potential sponsor customer)sees on a trip...



1. I pull my "NITRO" to the ramp with a "Chevy" truck.....nice looking truck (possible customer) and the boat performes well all day (possible customer).

2. Out fishing they use "CastAway" rods and like the sensitivity (potential customer) and catch fish on "Yo-Zuri" crankbaits, "Gamakatsu" hooks provide great sticking power and "Yamamoto" plastics catch a lot of fish.

3. I am on the Trolling motor all day and I comment how well my "Guest" charger works.

4. The clients have to take a shore break and I beach with no fear cause I have a "KeelShield".



So in one day on the water, I have been an on-going advertisement and I have exposed potential buyers to any number of my sponsors products. Chances are, they are going to purchase, somewhere down the road, some (hopefully all) of these products. They got to see them, touch them, use them and abuse them!! I like Kevin VanDam and I know that if he holds up a certain manufacturers spinnerbait, people will buy them. I also know that when I have a client (or friend) out in the boat and we're killin them on "Retriever Lure" buzzbaits, I'm gonna be responsible for some sales. Pretty amazing that I can move product like VanDam. I've seen it sooooo many times when Teddy and I give demonstrations at these shows or at BPS and people flock to buy the baits we promo. Your "average" tournament fisherman will not do that for a sponsor. And let's face it the top pro's will always have their sponsors because they do a lot more off camera than on camera.



TOXIC

 

[Jim B]

I really hate seeing stuff like this, in the end it really hurts everybody. Its too bad Bass cant see it, the only thing they care about is thier sponsors and money.



Nascar does pull the same stuff to some extent. Now that nextel is the title sponsor they arent allowing any new telecom sponsors, that move really hurt Jeff Burton last year when he could have had at&t wireless as a sponsor but was told no by nascar. Also now that Robby Gordon left the 31 car you will never see cingular wireless again in nascar. They also do it in victoty lane with the poweraide bottles. You will also never see a car with any sort of tire maker sponsorship etc. They seem to shove sponsors on the drivers much like bass is doing to the anglers.

 

[Greg Meyer]

I have to agree with Tox about the "one end" of sponsor deals... Our team tournament boat is a Lund Pro-V , new every year, on great terms, because Dennis (my partner) is a full time guide (time out for tournaments where the shirt thing helps generate guide customers) The Marine Dealer "likes" the tournament exposure, but "relys" on that tournament/guide boat to be at local shows and ramps... It is sort of the difference between a direct mail flyer to evrybody in town or a "targeted" flyer to existing and known customers". The more focused you are the more "bang for the buck".



At the "pro level" non fishing industry sponsors are looking for that "brand id" exposure. They relied on that TV coverage that won't be there and I think they will walk away. In the end, that will hurt the long term viability of the sport. But, that "short term" view has been the corporate mantra in America for quite some time. This year's bottom line is all that counts (CEO bonuses, and longevity are viewed as dependent on it) so a long term view is suicide if it counters the short term...

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Interesting, so the same problem (to some degree)exists with NASCAR also?!?!?



Greg sees the big picture because he TX fishes.



Now don't be fooled, I can't go out and line up a bunch of sponsors in one catagory. That's where the politics comes into play for me. I can only carry one manufacturer of every kind of bait. Yo-Zuri sure isn't gonna be happy if I start throwing Smithwick, or Cotton Cordell, Bandit, Rapala, etc., so it is up to me to only persue the sponsors I like and can actually get behind. If you double up, you risk losing both.



TOXIC

 

[Texas Transplant]

Sponsorship at the Federation level.



Here's something interesting. The SC Federation has now signed with Skeeter as the 'Official Boat of the SC BASS Federation'. We promote Skeeter, and have a custom made banner for us with Skeeter/Yamaha on it as our 'title' sponsors. I believe there will also be a large Skeeter/Yamaha sign at all our tournaments.



What do we get?



A certificate for a brand new Skeeter with a Yamaha motor on it (about an 18 footer with a 150 engine - I believe). We can do with the certificate as we like.



And I'll tell you, I bet there is not more than 2-3 Skeeters in any of our tourneys right now. Of course, we do that and one of the SC Federation Directors buys a brand new Triton (has a real nice Nitro that he'll be selling in the spring).



Tex

 

[Bill McElroy]

Tex,...each state's federation is free to make their own boat/motor deals as they see fit. Some State's are going with the Skeeter/Yammie deal,..other's are using the Ranger/Yamaha/Merc deals....it's up to each states Federation Board to work their "best deal".

MI. is staying with Ranger....infact Ranger's only National sponsorship involvement now is at the Federation Level. (They know who butter's their bread!!LOL)

 

[Greg Meyer]

Mac....



So it is "trickle down".. sponsors at the top? Or "trickle up"... sponsors at the bottom (Federation) that will work best in the long run?



Or, is this an example of everybody "trickling on their own shoes"? I think the latter. I see only touggh times ahead in this angler/sponsor/tournamnet series tug of war.



I am looking at (for the first time in four years) a "boat deal". I am considering my own with a large area marina. It would require the usual "appearances", and also the owner wants me to drop the two major circuits I now fish. He wants "local" exposure. He is driven by the fact that he biggest competitor has three sponsor deals that are highly visible. He is looking out for "his" business. Will that fit with my desires... Only if he is a bit more flexible about "where and what circuits I fish"... Just an exampkle of the "competing interests" that are in play in this "game"...

 

[Texas Transplant]

For us, it was a way to get our State Team money taken care of in one bite - or so we hope. We generally allocate about $14,000.00 each year to the state team. We are hoping that we can 'net' that for the Skeeter Certificate. However, our leadership (SC Federation) is not always known for making the best decision.



It has been strongly suggested to advertise and just sell it, but others want to raffle it (not working good for us) or to auction it on Ebay with a reserve minimum.



Personally, I think they would do best to just sell it, as they have control over who/what/when and how much they sell it for.



I'm really surprised, because Skeeter is not that 'big' here in SC. Rangers, Triton's, Stratos and Champ's seem to dominate (Champion has been moving up the past year or two in popularlity) our tourneys and the lakes.



Nitro's are making inroads (due to BPS being in Atlanta, Charlotte and Savannah), but still lag in the 'serious or tournament' angler ranks.



Tex

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

Greg, you are experiencing the difference between a "Local" sponsor deal and a "National" one. A marina dealer will give you a deal on the line that he carries for example LUND, this is a deal from him not LUND. He wants local exposure because that is where his sales are going to come from. Deals from LUND are in place to benefit ALL LUND dealers. Requirements for each will be different. Some pretty sweet deals can come from a local dealer rather than National because they have no limitations on what they can or will do. Cripes, they could give you a fully rigged boat free for the year, it depends on the dealer. That's exactly why I have postponed a boat deal until I have time to play my best hand.



TOXIC

 

[Greg Meyer]

I see Skeeter as playing smart. Right now there is a great deal of "disarray" at the top levels in the FLW as far as boat sponsorships... Mercury has stated an intention to build its own circuit (at least in walleye terms) beginning in 2006. Skeeter has committed to a lot of "local", "regional" and "growing" circuits. In particular, the Grand National Walleyecup (2005 will be its third year!) is in nine stes/regions. Skeeter and Gander Mountain are the "big" sponsors. Skeeter is providing three boats for the National Championship and two more boats for the "directors" for camera boats, etc. That is a pretty big commitment.



I think they are being smart... They are promoting where boats are sold... to serious local anglers... those same guys are weekend warriors in local and regional tournaments.

 

[Bruce Freeman]

If they want to be like nascar then they need to read the rules. nascar has to approve 100% ok of all sponsors, then requires decals of there sponsors. The dollars paid out depends on the number of decals on the car. It's not the Dodge,Chevy,Ford cup. They will learn that they messed up.

BF

 

[Scott Hammer TOXIC]

And Dave, what I find REALLY disturbing is the pro's with that 1 lure box hidden way back up in the locker that comes out when the camera boat isn't there and you can bet there are a lot of non-sponsor baits in there!!LOL



That's what they call the "money box"!!



TOXIC