Did Boyd Duckett try to buy B.A.S.S.?

[Hoot]

Funny no one has mentioned the revenue that BASS gets from its magazine subscriptions and sales. That is no small stream.

Yea they are still hounding me to renew my membership as I’ve been gone a long time and don’t believe they really miss me just my dollars.

[2stroked out]

If they were making loads of money TNT fireworks (also an anderson company) would not be sponsering opens. Looks like they are having pump money in not out. I imagine BASS is top heavy , with all the trails spread out.

[78Staff]

Chase Anderson actually talks a bit about the split and some of the issues, as well as costs/revenue/etc on Zaldain's podcast a few weeks ago...



And, Ed Loughren was on recently as well, lawyer to the stars (well, a few bass tourney angles, lol) and Elite anger - had some interesting stories re sponsorships, contracts, the tour, etc... long but I think worht the watch/listen if you are into this sort of thing...

[jaderhold]

They can’t be putting much money into the printing the magazine. Used to be glue bound, now it’s cheap staples and folded. It’s just a matter of time before it goes 100% digital.
You used to see BASS member stickers on every truck’s back window or on the bumper. Rarely see that anymore so they probably aren’t getting the member dollars they used to get. The entry fees for tournaments keep going up but the 1st place payout hasn’t changed in 20+ years. They’ve added additional money toward the bottom finishers, like a participation trophy. They tried the weekend circuit deal which lost money and they turned it over to ABA. I don’t know what their participation is, but I don’t even glance at the events anymore.

I wouldn’t want it if they gave it to me.

[mohawkman]

Gary Klein gave up trying to win a Classic, like entirely gave up and he was there with Boyd engineering the new company. That’s what stands out to me. Totally right field but I always thought that was odd of Gary. Gary was a BASS pillar till KVD and Brauer came into be the big dogs. Gary was a stick in his day but he became too Sheldon-ish for his own fishing good.

my thought…. The history of this sport and the ups and downs of anglers from when Ray started this got banished when Boyd Cherry-picked all the stars from bass and moved them to the “guarded can’t get in” BPT group. I love all the history of the sport but it just feels like MLF is purposely always trying to banish and even over-schedule with bass. I would like bass to buy out MLF ��

[Marmooskapaul]

Until there is no entry fee's pro bass fishing won't be considered a true professional sport. Competitive bass fishing needs a couple large endemic sponsors. UPS, Verizon or a Saudi company like LIV golf....that would go over good..lol. The top prizes in bass fishing haven't really changed since the 90's. Probably less real money now than in the 90's.
I have no idea how golf can come up with 100's of millions and fishing can't seem to get over the 100,000$ threshold in normal tournaments? There are more people that fish, than golf. TV deals with golf are good but, the ratings are dismal compared to other sports...save The Masters and US Open.
There is more money spent in a bass pro's rod locker than a pro golfers clubs...lol.

[Hoot]

There are sure some good ones on here this morning some real Repetitious Flashbacks to 30 years ago about Professional Bass Fishing needing to get "Large (aka Huge or Giant in Bass Lingo) Endemic Sponsors was brought out of Mothballs once again like it hasn't been mentioned before.

I see "The More People Fish than Golf" was also dusted off and brought out of the Whine Cellar again

Maybe it should be of all the people that Fish what percentage of them actually care about or pay attention to Professional Tournament Bass Fishing compared to the percentage of those that Golf who care about Professional Golf Tournaments that also watch them on major networks and the Golf Channel?

Professional Bass Fishing has tried to sell itself as a "Major Sport" seeking out these Endemic Dollars their Advisors on the Bass Blogs have suggested over the years.

ESPN learned real quick the big endemic sponsors and the viewers weren't buying into Professional Fishing then when Wal Mart bailed out all those companies they had strong armed into sponsorships couldn't leave fast enough.

[haus9393]

Funny no one has mentioned all of the membership money MLF takes in each year. You have to be a member to fish the events, and they have way more people fishing their events than BASS.

I’m paying about $90 a year now to fish MLF events and BASS I paid for a LIFE membership for like idk $300.

[Mcjenson]

Until there is no entry fee's pro bass fishing won't be considered a true professional sport. Competitive bass fishing needs a couple large endemic sponsors. UPS, Verizon or a Saudi company like LIV golf....that would go over good..lol. The top prizes in bass fishing haven't really changed since the 90's. Probably less real money now than in the 90's.
I have no idea how golf can come up with 100's of millions and fishing can't seem to get over the 100,000$ threshold in normal tournaments? There are more people that fish, than golf. TV deals with golf are good but, the ratings are dismal compared to other sports...save The Masters and US Open.
There is more money spent in a bass pro's rod locker than a pro golfers clubs...lol.

Golf to fishing isn’t really a fair comparison when it comes to prize money. Almost nobody watches bass fishing except for the most hardcore of tournament anglers. Golf has casual fans. Also people willing to pay to watch.

The other factor is the skill disparity between the pros and your average club or regional angler. I feel like most regional areas have a guy or two that’s absolutely talented enough to be a “pro”, but isn’t willing to take the financial hit to establish that career path. But every regionally good golfer / club pro would look absolutely foolish playing against pga competition.

[Jfish]

Gary Klein gave up trying to win a Classic, like entirely gave up and he was there with Boyd engineering the new company. That’s what stands out to me. Totally right field but I always thought that was odd of Gary. Gary was a BASS pillar till KVD and Brauer came into be the big dogs. Gary was a stick in his day but he became too Sheldon-ish for his own fishing good.

my thought…. The history of this sport and the ups and downs of anglers from when Ray started this got banished when Boyd Cherry-picked all the stars from bass and moved them to the “guarded can’t get in” BPT group. I love all the history of the sport but it just feels like MLF is purposely always trying to banish and even over-schedule with bass. I would like bass to buy out MLF ��

You might not agree with Klein but he was there from the early days and he knew that the anglers were not getting their fair share. IMO, he saw a vehicle in Boyd with $$$ to challenge BASS. I am sure he rubbed some the wrong way but I have heard guys like Clunn talk about him and it has always been positive.

[AMSDJS]

Until there is no entry fee's pro bass fishing won't be considered a true professional sport. Competitive bass fishing needs a couple large endemic sponsors. UPS, Verizon or a Saudi company like LIV golf....that would go over good..lol. The top prizes in bass fishing haven't really changed since the 90's. Probably less real money now than in the 90's.
I have no idea how golf can come up with 100's of millions and fishing can't seem to get over the 100,000$ threshold in normal tournaments? There are more people that fish, than golf. TV deals with golf are good but, the ratings are dismal compared to other sports...save The Masters and US Open.
There is more money spent in a bass pro's rod locker than a pro golfers clubs...lol.

This comparison always comes up and it's ridiculous. I used to golf a LOT until my dad passed. Have you seen the commercials during the Masters? Do you seriously think any endemic golf sponsor would market towards a client (i.e. fan) base that loves one of its pros dropping drawers during say the 17th hole at Augusta? Mercedes, Rolex, investment firms are targeting the "big dogs", the ones with tons of liquid assets to spend on country club memberships and hoity-toity dinner parties. Bass fishing will always be a niche sport. However, I used to think fly fishermen (which I also dabble in at times) were snobbish with their Sage rods and Orvis gear. Now look at where G Loomis and Simms have marketed their wares to? So now you have gullible (IMO) bass fishermen paying these ridiculous prices for rods, reels, rain gear, boats, tackle...the result of "growing the sport". Five grand for a trolling motor? Are you serious? JMHO

[Bandwagon]

If that is true then I understand why the pros are asking for higher payouts. Seems like BASS could payout more.

That's a bit of a jump! That number if true is just revenue, you need to look at margin percentage and margin dollars.

[dean c]

This comparison always comes up and it's ridiculous. I used to golf a LOT until my dad passed. Have you seen the commercials during the Masters? Do you seriously think any endemic golf sponsor would market towards a client (i.e. fan) base that loves one of its pros dropping drawers during say the 17th hole at Augusta? Mercedes, Rolex, investment firms are targeting the "big dogs", the ones with tons of liquid assets to spend on country club memberships and hoity-toity dinner parties. Bass fishing will always be a niche sport. However, I used to think fly fishermen (which I also dabble in at times) were snobbish with their Sage rods and Orvis gear. Now look at where G Loomis and Simms have marketed their wares to? So now you have gullible (IMO) bass fishermen paying these ridiculous prices for rods, reels, rain gear, boats, tackle...the result of "growing the sport". Five grand for a trolling motor? Are you serious? JMHO

Yep…right up until the gullible bass fishermen part

[mohawkman]

You might not agree with Klein but he was there from the early days and he knew that the anglers were not getting their fair share. IMO, he saw a vehicle in Boyd with $$$ to challenge BASS. I am sure he rubbed some the wrong way but I have heard guys like Clunn talk about him and it has always been positive.

Very true

i guess I’m surprised he’s never made any effort to try to win a classic since he left and I hear very little press wise about Gary in last 5 years

[skeeterator]

You might not agree with Klein but he was there from the early days and he knew that the anglers were not getting their fair share. IMO, he saw a vehicle in Boyd with $$$ to challenge BASS. I am sure he rubbed some the wrong way but I have heard guys like Clunn talk about him and it has always been positive.

Every employee everywhere feels they should be paid more if the company they work for is making good money, nothing new about that. Now that he's on the other side he actually sees there's not much of an actual profit margin after expenses. I mean he/they claimed BASS was being greedy and not paying out what they should and shouldn't be charging entry fees. Funny, his groups now paying entry fees and the payouts are what? Lol
Our gross revenue is $44 million a DAY here, that's every single day of the year. You should hear the guys in here crying about not making enough and the company being greedy, same shit.

[Jfish]

Very true

i guess I’m surprised he’s never made any effort to try to win a classic since he left and I hear very little press wise about Gary in last 5 years

Yeah, as they say, time waits on no man. I believe his heyday was when flw first formed, I recall he won twice on the Miss. River out of Memphis, pretty impressive for a West Coast guy.

[dean c]

Honestly…when do you see press on ANY bass angler that you don’t seek out yourself? Nobody knows these guys except those of us into competitive fishing.

[bassnpro1]

. I mean he/they claimed BASS was being greedy and not paying out what they should and shouldn't be charging entry fees.

I mean he wasn't wrong though. Immediately after the split BASS increased payouts throughout the field. That money was being shoved in the owners pockets before. The split made more of it go to the anglers.

[Jfish]

Every employee everywhere feels they should be paid more if the company they work for is making good money, nothing new about that. Now that he's on the other side he actually sees there's not much of an actual profit margin after expenses. I mean he/they claimed BASS was being greedy and not paying out what they should and shouldn't be charging entry fees. Funny, his groups now paying entry fees and the payouts are what? Lol
Our gross revenue is $44 million a DAY here, that's every single day of the year. You should hear the guys in here crying about not making enough and the company being greedy, same shit.

But BASS did change after the split, so I still think he proved his point and has few regrets. You are correct, MLF is not all it was cracked up to be, but that is probably true of any organization/company. Professional bass fishermen remind me a lot of country singers, they all have a hard luck story, but they are living their dream and have it pretty good compared to most.

[Meadows]

Every employee everywhere feels they should be paid more if the company they work for is making good money, nothing new about that. Now that he's on the other side he actually sees there's not much of an actual profit margin after expenses. I mean he/they claimed BASS was being greedy and not paying out what they should and shouldn't be charging entry fees. Funny, his groups now paying entry fees and the payouts are what? Lol
Our gross revenue is $44 million a DAY here, that's every single day of the year. You should hear the guys in here crying about not making enough and the company being greedy, same shit.

You do realize there were changes that BASS made after the split right? Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a MLF fanboy whatsoever, but BASS needed some changes, and still does IMO.