Dickies Arena and the Bassmaster Classic…

[WarEagle24]

Alot of people who are suggesting that BASS go to certain locations or change to different times of the year are only looking at a small part of the picture. There's so much more that goes into their decisions that we don't realize.

[BigFishSteve]

What can we do to realize it?

[Jeff Hahn]

It was an ESPN decision, aligned with Jerry McKinnis, in those early years of the ownership. There was nothing strong in viewership after NFL and NCAA football. Neither the NBA or NHL were a major household viewership, and Bassmaster was scheduled to hit at least one to two weeks before the opening Daytona 500, on ESPN. Which now has cornhole or jumping jacks those weekends. Filler for media today basically.

The thought was Bassmaster would develop a media following that would retain some who would stay with it through the season, while ESPN did not have all of those NASCAR races forever. ESPN would then own its repetitive media and continue showing Bassmaster. Of course FOX, streaming and more all interfered with their original plans.

Thanks for the info. I had forgotten that the change in the Classic date coincided with ESPN’s involvement.

[rb]

If people want to see it in the summer and at different locations they can always go to world famous redcrest. After all it’s bigger and better isn’t it. AND nobody will hold a gun to their heads making them go to tje torture chamber otherwise known as a weigh in

[Bill2e]

It was an ESPN decision, aligned with Jerry McKinnis, in those early years of the ownership. There was nothing strong in viewership after NFL and NCAA football. Neither the NBA or NHL were a major household viewership, and Bassmaster was scheduled to hit at least one to two weeks before the opening Daytona 500, on ESPN. Which now has cornhole or jumping jacks those weekends. Filler for media today basically.

The thought was Bassmaster would develop a media following that would retain some who would stay with it through the season, while ESPN did not have all of those NASCAR races forever. ESPN would then own its repetitive media and continue showing Bassmaster. Of course FOX, streaming and more all interfered with their original plans.

ESPN also moved HQ to Orlando and that is why the held that classic on the Kissimmee Chain. I really thought ESPN would have been a good long term partner for BASS, sure made the career of guys like Ike, G-Man, Skeet and Zona. Of course, they would have all done well regardless.

[Bill2e]

Jacksonville may have a large enough coliseum area and convention venue, we don’t know.

Atlanta is like Dallas, the event is smaller than they want for the traffic flow challenges and amenities they want.

Orlando was dismal in participation, and the convention center is huge. Proximity of a coliseum is a challenge. Lakes abound for options there with plenty of water handy.

Those Raleigh, Tallahassee, Shreveport and Richmond’s convention areas are too small, we think.

Shreveports was too small both times, as everyone couldn’t show. Plus dealing with the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Commission pretty much eliminates Louisiana today. The states regulations are so hard many boat builders won’t even do business in Louisiana. It barely went down prior years, without a court injunction stopping the Classic from happening before. The Governor got involved and softened the commissions stance.

They are considering fresh venues and locations now.

BCB

I live in the Jacksonville Area, I don't think we have the venues needed. They would have to go out of Palatka City Docks, they go there almost every year anyway and the convention center is not close.

I remember Orlando being much bigger, but you would know the true metrics better than I.

I was there a few days, went to the launch on Saturday and 2 days at the expo. Talked to KVD, IKE, Swindle. Got to meet Ray Scott and have a signed copy of Bass Boss from the event. I thought it was great, but it was the only classic I attended. I may have to go to Tennessee in 2026.

Maybe the Harris Chain would be a good venue in Florida, and easier to get to the convention center.

[Bill2e]

Alot of people who are suggesting that BASS go to certain locations or change to different times of the year are only looking at a small part of the picture. There's so much more that goes into their decisions that we don't realize.

Agreed.

I enjoy this years event, just like every other year.

[Bill2e]

If people want to see it in the summer and at different locations they can always go to world famous redcrest. After all it’s bigger and better isn’t it. AND nobody will hold a gun to their heads making them go to tje torture chamber otherwise known as a weigh in

Have you been to one? How does the expo compare?

I would imagine the expense to the manufactures to go to the Classic, Redcrest and then I-cast would be substantial.

[rb]

Have you been to one? How does the expo compare?

I would imagine the expense to the manufactures to go to the Classic, Redcrest and then I-cast would be substantial.

No never been to the redcrest. It was on Norman a few years ago and I had no desire to go. I hear their expo is ok nowhere near the size of the Classic. Couldn’t even tell you where it is this year. And yes the year they were back to back weeks was brutal for the vendors

[WarEagle24]

No never been to the redcrest. It was on Norman a few years ago and I had no desire to go. I hear their expo is ok nowhere near the size of the Classic. Couldn’t even tell you where it is this year. And yes the year they were back to back weeks was brutal for the vendors

The Redcrest Expo is April 4-6 in Huntsville Al. I've never been to one so I'm thinking about going to this one just to check it out since it's only an hour away.

[yadkincustomlures]

Raleigh Classic. Weigh in at PNC Arena/Lenovo Center. It will hold 20,000 people.

30 minute drive to Falls Lake or Jordan from PNC arena. Both would produce great weights and are plenty big enough for a 50 boat field.

Have the expo at the fairgrounds/Dorton arena right across the street from PNC arena.

I think it would absolutely work and the attendance would be huge.

[Bass Cat Boats]

REDCREST is a good event, with limited participation from the industry. It's not near the Classic, not even close in our opinion. The first major one is Tulsa was nice with the downtown venue. Those before it were outdoors and during Covid without an expo.

Huntsville should be a good one.

[Meadows]

Raleigh Classic. Weigh in at PNC Arena/Lenovo Center. It will hold 20,000 people.

30 minute drive to Falls Lake or Jordan from PNC arena. Both would produce great weights and are plenty big enough for a 50 boat field.

Have the expo at the fairgrounds/Dorton arena right across the street from PNC arena.

I think it would absolutely work and the attendance would be huge.

Raleigh would be perfect. Falls, Jordan, or even Buggs Island although the weights wouldn't be as high. The convention center is plenty big, attendance would be huge, and Raleigh would be an excellent host city. And just what I hear from being in the commercial construction world and knowing a lot of GCs that work in Raleigh area, there's absolutely no shortage of money. Right now Raleigh is investing $20B in new medical facilities and surrounding residential construction.

[basshammerwannabe]

Raleigh Classic. Weigh in at PNC Arena/Lenovo Center. It will hold 20,000 people.

30 minute drive to Falls Lake or Jordan from PNC arena. Both would produce great weights and are plenty big enough for a 50 boat field.

Have the expo at the fairgrounds/Dorton arena right across the street from PNC arena.

Yep and parking would not be an issue! I didnt even think of PNC. With all the talk about where it should go i thought raleighs out of question due to the downtown area making it near impossible. But yes PNC arena would be great!

I think it would absolutely work and the attendance would be huge.

Yep and parking would not be an issue! I didnt even think of PNC. With all the talk about where it should go i thought raleighs out of question due to the downtown area making it near impossible. But yes PNC arena would be great!

[basshammerwannabe]

If people want to see it in the summer and at different locations they can always go to world famous redcrest. After all it’s bigger and better isn’t it. AND nobody will hold a gun to their heads making them go to tje torture chamber otherwise known as a weigh in

idk about the expo/venue what have ya but its going to be fire works on the water im betting. Guntersville 1st week of april should be fun to watch! Could be a funky spawn situation going on though.

[Mark Perry]

https://www.savannahchamber.com/news...or-2027-event/

[ProVle]

How about this one? Cumberland Lake at Somerset when the new Horse Soldier bourbon $200 million Distillery/Resort over 200 acres opens, also Vendors could line the streets. It is home to one of the largest "cruise in's" in the country each month during the Summer/Fall. The new Horse Soldier complex will have a big Patriotic theme that the Classic could latch on to and promote.
https://whiskeyreviewer.com/2021/10/...ky-distillery/

[rivertrail]

I rather enjoyed the Classic. It was my first time to attend since it was in Pine Bluff and Rick Clunn won it. The weigh-in was much too long - even Dave was getting frustrated they wouldn't move quicker between fisherman. As for parking we took an uber from the hotel downtown and it was around $18.00 including tip. They ran shuttles from the convention center to dickies arena that were free. I dont really get the ticketmaster issue as I use it for other events as well but it appears to be an issue for some.

[cwenbass]

I had the weigh in on for hours multiple days and it looked very empty by past standards.

[basshammerwannabe]

Raleigh would be perfect. Falls, Jordan, or even Buggs Island although the weights wouldn't be as high. The convention center is plenty big, attendance would be huge, and Raleigh would be an excellent host city. And just what I hear from being in the commercial construction world and knowing a lot of GCs that work in Raleigh area, there's absolutely no shortage of money. Right now Raleigh is investing $20B in new medical facilities and surrounding residential construction.

Yadkins right though the PNC/Lenovo would be perfect! Dont know what it cost to get a place like that but long as tickets sale i guess its not an issue. Everything he says actually sounds about ideal as it gets now that he pointed it out. I'm not sure downtown raleigh would be able to work..