ESPN/B.A.S.S. vs. B.A.S.S. Federation Dispute

[Daze Off]

Anyone been following/have thoughts on the conflict between ESPN/BASS and the State BASS Federations? I read on another site that 30 state BASS Federations have voted to leave BASS and join FLW Outdoors....MN is undecided as of this writing. Shame to see such conflict invade bass fishing. I fish, in part, to get away from stuff like this.

Daze Off

[dan2957]

There will be a MNB.A.S.S meeeting at the Medina Bowling and Bar on Hwy55 this Saturday at 11AM the BASS fishing public is invited to attend. The meeting will be held to decide if MN will stay with B.A.S.S. or go to FLW

[Ray Esboldt]

My question is, why? What's so bad about B.A.S.S. right now?

[Daze Off]

I don't pretend to know what "really" is behind it but as I understand it the issue is really one of control - ESPN's leadership style is quite a contrast to Ray Scott's in terms of collaboration. From what I can gather ESPN is pretty much "my way or the highway".

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[river rat316]

In my opinion B.A.S.S. is really screwed up since ESPN took over, its so much about money right now and nothing else that it is unbelievable.

Thats just my opinion though take it for what its worth

[Pherris]

Was there a vote today? What was the outcome of the meeting?

[beeflover]

There was no vote at the Federation meeting Saturday. The boards decision is to wait until they actually have contracts to look at vs proposals. If possible the MN board would like to try to make deals with both groups.

BASS has been complacent and taken the Federation for granted. FLW led by Irwin Jacobs, the original corporate raider, made a much better offer than the current BASS offer. BASS has reacted with a new much better proposal than last year. Too little to late probably to avoid a split in the Federation.

States are forming separate FLW and BASS groups. In some states there is some real controversy over dues that have already been paid to BASS and treasury moneys. MN has already paid over $5k in dues to BASS this year and an accumulation of over $50,000 in the treasury. If half the guys leave to form a new group do they get half the dough?

Stay tuned and find out.

When the split occurs I hope they can work together for conservation efforts and State tourneys. We shall see.

Check out the Bsssfan site for copies of the proposals.

This is a big deal for guys and gals interested in advancing in money tourneys. It won't change our club much.

We'll still clean up lakeshore, continue to grow our Jr club and have a good time at our weekend events.

Daze was at the meeting he may have more to report.

[Pherris]

Thanks for the update. I did read the proposal and at this point seems like a solid offer. I hope the issue gets the attention it needs!!

[Daze Off]

beeflover pretty much covered in 30 seconds what took us nearly 4 hours to get through on Saturday which sums up the state of affairs. Hard to read the "pulse" of the room - some seemed to favor each possible outcome - B.A.S.S.; FLW; Dual affiliation.

No matter what is decided, there will be a group representing both BASS and FLW in the state next year so a fisherman could affiliate with both and double their chances of advancing beyond MN in tourney competition.

Also, no matter what happens, there will be a state BASS tournament this year and the divisional as well (in MN) and, if I understood correctly, there will be a state BASS tourney next year as well. Beyond that is anyone's guess.

Got some mail from BASS that seems to indicate that the BASS (Contact US Regarding This Word) benefit will be free in the new order of things (Federation Nation) - a $35 cost now.

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