That’s a WRAP
In 2008 the BASS Elite Series will allow the anglers to use their own wrapped boats throughout the entire event. What took so long? For the past couple of years it has been mandatory for an angler to oprerate a wrapped boat in order to compete on the Elite Series Tour in an attempt to bring in outside industry sponsors. So far the attempt has been modestly succesful.
All of the tournament coverage that gets aired on tv takes place on the final day of the tournament. As of current, the anglers are required to use BASS issued boats to compete on that day. These boats are wrapped in BASS sponsor logos. Not the individual angler’s sponsors. If I am Lowes for example and an angler approaches me and pitches his case about the advertisement he can give me, I would turn him off as soon as he told me that there is no tv air time because BASS takes their boats away after the third day.
I really believe that the ability for a sponsor to be seen on tv will better draw in non-endimic sponsors to the sport. The biggest advocates to this decision has been the anglers themselves. They are the ones who feel the pressure of trying to secure the sponsor in the first place. Not to mention the fact that they have had to turn around and try and figure out how to use a boat that doesn’t belong to them. I give a thumbs up to ESPN/BASS and VP/GM Don Rucks. Just ensure that you give this time to evolve into a success.
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POSTED IN: BASS, BASS Elite Series
1 opinion for That’s a WRAP
Ryan
Oct 3, 2007 at 6:06 pm
All I can say is that it’s about frickin’ time the Elite Series got off their high horse and lifted that rule. Thanks for the update, Donnie. Good information to know.
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