Patch Will Affect A Few More Top Pros

(Editor's note: This is the first part of a 2-part article.)

Clark Wendlandt isn't the only pro whose season next year will be affected by B.A.S.S.'s Busch-patch requirement. It turns out that all two-tour pros who have deals with FLW Outdoor sponsors also will be affected.

Apparently all pros who run boats wrapped in the colors of FLW Sponsors, and who wear matching shirts, have a clause in their contracts that forbids them from displaying any alcohol or tobacco sponsors on their boats or shirts.

That goes for all tournaments in which they participate -- not just FLW Outdoors tournaments -- and they must wear that shirt and run that boat in every tournament. In other words, simply wearing another shirt and running a plain boat in B.A.S.S. events isn't an option for these pros.

Though a rumor has been circulating in the industry that FLW's no alcohol/tobacco provision was enacted recently, it appears that isn't the case: The pros say that this has been a long-standing provision in their contracts, one they apparently paid no attention to (and didn't realize was there) because it didn't matter until now.

FLW Outdoors won't comment on the contract terms (the contracts are confidential), but did say that no new FLW Tour rules have been enacted since the 2003 rules were announced in September, which is before the B.A.S.S. "no patch, no points" issue arose.

Who's Affected?

The big question is who is affected by this. Wendlandt presumably was, though he didn't cite his contract as a reason for bowing out of the BASSMASTER Tour next year.

Wendlandt is the highest-ranked angler who could be affected. Mike Wurm, who runs a Coleman-wrapped Ranger, is ranked 6th in the world but isn't affected because Coleman won't be an FLW Outdoors sponsor next year.

Going down the BassFan.com World Rankings list, next to be affected is David Walker (15th), who is sponsored by Stanley Tools. Fujifilm pros Joel Richardson (25th) and Randy Blaukat (30th) are next -- but that's all in the BassFan.com Top 50.

In other words, few anglers are affected, but those who are are top performers. But other pros are affected too, possibly ones that could have a breakout season next year.

What Are They Doing About It?

Wendlandt has backed out of the BASSMASTER Tour for 2003, though again, not because of his contract. Walker is uncertain about what he'll have to do, but wants to fish both tours.

"I need to fish both (tours)," he said. "I can't give up an entire tournament trail. Fishing six tournaments in year isn't enough. I can't make a living doing that. So I have to figure out a way to work around this.

"The best thing for me is to fish both trails. I don't want to give up one or the other. I don't want to give up a chance at the $500,000 first prize at the Jacob's Cup, and I don't want to give up a chance at the BASSMASTERS Classic."

He noted that two of his biggest sponsors, Evinrude and Ranger, "don't care" about the patch, though what Stanley thinks is unknown. The bottom line is: "I still feel like I have plenty of options," he said. "I don't think I've gotten to the point where it's one (tour) or the other."

Walker expects to make some kind of decision about what he'll do this week.

Blaukat Fishing, But Not For Points

Blaukat's view on this is that "both organizations have their own business models, and it has nothing to do with business to try to change that to suit the anglers' needs. Basically, a few fishermen are severely impacted by (the Busch patch and FLW Outdoors sponsor contract combination)." He's one of them.

"I have to make a decision one way or the other," he said. "Do I lose Fujifilm as a sponsor or just fish the first 6 events with B.A.S.S.?" He decided to do the latter. "Susanne (his wife) and I talked about it and this was the best decision we came up with."

That means not accumulating points and no chance at B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year (AOY) or the Classic. "I'll miss out on four (B.A.S.S.) tournaments and the Classic for sure -- unless something happens between now and the start of the season," he said.

Even though he's excited to fish the first six B.A.S.S. events completely uncluttered by any thought of points, he noted: "I don't think anyone really benefits from this -- the sponsors, the (tour) organizations or the anglers. I'm hoping everyone comes to terms and comes up with something more workable this time next year.

"I understand B.A.S.S.'s position," Blaukat added. "Bringing Busch on board is an opportunity to grow the sport. And FLW's position is that for the market they're after, they don't want that association because they're more family-oriented.

"I'm not placing judgment on either organization for their decisions. I can't take it personally. I just have to focus on each event, do the best I can and let the battles be fought. I just want to fish and be able to reach my fullest potential, and capitalize on opportunities. If anything, the upsetting thing about this is that I feel like I can have an incredible season and won't be recognized for it.

"This is the toughest decision I've ever made in my career," he said. "There's nothing easy about it. I just have to be comfortable with the decision I've made."

- End of part 1 (of 2) -

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