If two members of the House of Representatives have their way, funding for military sponsorships in pro sports, including bass fishing, will no longer exist, according to a story published in USA Today.
The House Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved an amendment to the $600 billion Defense Appropriations bill that would eliminate sponsorships underwritten by the military. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA) and Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) are the co-sponsors of the amendment.
This would greatly impact NASCAR teams as well as FLW Outdoors, which has long-standing ties with the National Guard. The story quoted McCollum’s website as saying the National Guard spent $20 million in 2011 and 2012 on professional bass fishing.
According to FLW’s website, there are 14 members of the National Guard fishing team, including six current FLW Tour pros (Brett Hite, Mark Rose, Brent Ehrler, Justin Lucas, Scott Martin and Jonathan Newton).
To read USA Today’s report, click here.
To read the related press release from Rep. McCollum’s web site, click here.
