B.A.S.S. announced today it has entered into a multi-year sponsorship deal with Berkley.
Berkley will be the official premier sponsor of fishing line and soft baits for the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series and B.A.S.S. Nation. In addition, Berkley will be the premier sponsor for soft baits for the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series.
“Our association with B.A.S.S. and its Bassmaster events over the years has helped us achieve new highs of awareness for our brands with B.A.S.S. members and fans,” said John Bartow, Berkley’s senior director of marketing. “We feel that the continuity of our association with Bassmaster events at all levels will help us continue on that path of growth.”
“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to continue working with the Berkley team,” said Bruce Akin, B.A.S.S. CEO. “As longtime partners, we have done a lot of good working toward the same goals — especially the goal of growing fishing participation. We look forward to taking that to the next level.”
As part of the agreement, the Berkley Heavyweight program will return for the upcoming Bassmaster Elite Series season, awarding a $500 bonus to pro with the heaviest daily bag of bass.
At the upcoming Bassmaster Classic in Tulsa, Okla., Berkley will offer a spectator a chance to win $100,000 in the PowerBait Cast for Cash contest. The contest celebrates the 25th anniversary of Berkley’s PowerBait brand of soft plastics. A fan will be randomly selected at the BOK Center during the final weigh-in on Sunday for the opportunity to cast for the prize. More details will be available in the Berkley booth at the Classic Expo.
