2008 BASS Elite Series Changes

[Cy]

I don't know if anyone has read the 2008 Elite Series changes but I found a couple of them interesting and rather smart.

The first is the payout for the Angler of the Year is much better.  They are giving $250K to 2008 AoY.  I always thought that $100K was a little light for being the most consistent angler for one year.  I think this change is nice and makes the coveted title more lucrative.

I always wondered by BASS required wrapped boats when you never saw them on TV?  That has finally changed.  Angler will be fishing from their own boats during the entire tournament, including the Classic.  I think that is great!  The anglers should be able to make more from sponsors with increased TV time and not have to move all your gear to a Triton on the last day will nice for them.  I wonder is BASS lost their deal with Brunswick/Triton or just made this change for the anglers benefit.

The Majors are gone in 2008.  I like the Majors due the large payout and no entry fee and the fact they kept them exclusive.  I thought is was like a reward for good fishing.  BASS has said the fans and more importantly sponsors weren't behind them and it wasn't very successful.

They are fishing on new water next year.  I think there are 5 lakes the BASS has never been to before.  It makes it harder on us Fantasy Fishing players but I think it is good for BASS.  It is real easy to get stuck in the same pattern year after year and can get boring.  New lakes new challenges and new winners.

You can check out the changes at here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/bassmaster/tournaments/index

Cy

[JCOOPER]

I am still up in the air on my feelings of this.  I thinkits BS that they take away 1.5 million and give 100k.   Doesnt seem real fair, but if you read BFHP at all there is enough turmoil for 5 hours of reading on this subject.

[Duke]

I thinkits BS that they take away 1.5 million and give 100k. 

Forgive my ignorance, but what do you mean by this?

[Eric]

First place in the majors paid 250,000.  Plus the payout down the line.  All of that money is no longer being paid out.  Instead, AOY gets an extra 125,000.  Maybe the payout down the line for that has gone up, but certainly not as much as BASS is saving by not having the majors.  That's some serious change staying in BASS' pocket that used to be payout.

[JCOOPER]

They paid out 1.8 or 1.5 in the majors.  With no entry fee.  They took away the majors.  Didnt increase any payouts or pay down further (from what I have read so far) and only increased AOY by 125k.  Thats alot to pocket!

[smbassman]

Remember BASS can't pocket sponsor money for tournaments that aren't going to exist, because there is no longer any sponsor money for those tournaments.  The Majors were supposed to have a big name sponsor that would cover most of the expense to have the tournament named after them.  I guess similar to Nascar and their Budweiser 500, Viagra 400....  sorry I don't really follow Nascar but I know their races have major sponsors that cover the expenses.  BASS apparently is having trouble finding companies to pay the bills.  In my opinion, that is because there is no live coverage and the shows are on when 99% of the base audience is out on the lake.

[blakstr1]

In my opinion, that is because there is no live coverage and the shows are on when 99% of the base audience is out on the lake.

I agree....why Saturday mornings?  Thank God for Tevo..