Rapala, the world's largest manufacturer of fishing lures and other fishing related products, will join Major League Fishing (MLF) as an official sponsor of the 2019 Bass Pro Tour.
Founded in Finland in the 1930s by Lauri Rapala, their most popular product is a balsa wood minnow imitation lure called the Original Floater. Rapala's line of products include some of the most recognizable names in bass fishing.
"Rapala has a lot of fast-growing brands that apply to the ever so changing bass fishing industry, including VMC Hooks, Sufix Line, Storm and Terminator Lures" said Matt Jensen, Director of Marketing for Rapala USA. "We also sponsor many of the greatest anglers in the world who are now a part of this historic inaugural MLF season and the Bass Pro Tour. It is our goal to support all our pros as well as align with the top trends in the fishing industry, and our new and exciting partnership with Major League Fishing certainly does that."
And like MLF, Rapala is also interested in introducing more anglers to the sport of fishing and especially getting youth involved. The company is running a national video spot that encourages young people to get outdoors and go fishing.
"We're excited to welcome Rapala to the Bass Pro Tour," said Jim Wilburn, President and CEO of Major League Fishing. "Their storied history in the world of bass fishing, the way they have brought revolutionary new products to the market year after year, it makes them a perfect fit for the tour as we grow this great sport into the future. They already support a number of the anglers that compete out here on the Bass Pro Tour, so we're thrilled that they've now come on board as an official sponsor of ours."
Rapala's sponsorship includes 30-second commercials and graphic billboards in Bass Pro Tour television programming, and a brand presence among the tour's in-show and on-site opportunities, and MLF NOW!, the live stream program that will deliver a minimum of five hours of real-time coverage during each competition day.
