(Editor's note: This is the document BASS sent out to the Federations today, reprinted verbatim, meaning unedited. The use of B.A.S.S. (with periods) is by BASS. BassFan will publish information on FLW Outdoors' Federation proposal when it becomes available.)
B.A.S.S. Federation 2006 and Beyond
Defining The Future
Our industry is changing at a lightning pace. This change has lead to an important crossroad for the future of the B.A.S.S. Federation. Today’s Federation model is not working for either party. The path to a new model requires feedback from all members of the B.A.S.S. Federation and a commitment to use our discussions to “air out” all the issues. By working together a better B.A.S.S. Federation for all stakeholders including state leadership, members, sponsors, and B.A.S.S. can be created.
We Have A Legacy Together
For over 30 years, the B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation has been more than a name. It has been a community fueled by a sense of camaraderie and a spirit of belonging to something unique that passes through generations. There has been a bond with the B.A.S.S. shield and what it stands for.
Over the years members have decided to join the B.A.S.S. Federation for many reasons, not just tournament fishing. The vision of true pioneers in our history – Ray Scott, Don Butler, Harold Sharp and many more – established conservation and a focus on building youth programs in addition to competitions as areas critical to the viability of the sport and our lifestyle. B.A.S.S. Federation members, as well as B.A.S.S. employees and sponsors have given tirelessly to the sport and the vision of these pioneers.
Together we have introduced significant initiatives for the future health of our sport:
> Major efforts such as Wallop-Breaux and the Clean Water Act
> Youth programs such as CastingKids, Junior Bassmasters and Family Fest
> Meaningful impact on Conservation - catch and release
> Preserving public access and our rights to fish
> Setting tournament standards in professionalism, safety and fish care.
> Providing anglers such as Bryan Kerchal and many of today’s top pros a chance to live their dreams state tournament trails leading to the Federation Divisionals
For over three decades, only B.A.S.S. has taken a leadership role in these initiatives by investing additional resources - and we will continue to do so in the future. BASS remains committed to growing this legacy.
Fueled by the World Leader in Sports – ESPN is Committed Too
Since purchasing BASS in 2001, ESPN has unequivocally supported the vision to grow the sport at all levels. ESPN has made a significant investment in B.A.S.S. including:
> Significant investment into B.A.S.S. and the sport
> Significant TV exposure on the Saturday B.A.S.S. block
> Bigger and better Bassmaster Classic
> Revamping of Bassmaster Tour to the ELITE SERIES
> Elevation of the Opens to the Northern & Southern Tours
> Launch of the ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series (Weekend Series) & Women’s Tour
Key milestones for the B.A.S.S. Federation since the acquisition are:
> Additional Federation Division with 6th Classic spot
> Enhanced TV coverage of Federation Championship
> Unmatched coverage of Federation events in BASS Times
> Assistance with administration of programs, i.e. insurance
> Doubled B.A.S.S. Conservation and Youth staffing
What the BASS Federation Is and Is Not
We understand that B.A.S.S. does not own the Federation - but B.A.S.S. does own the B.A.S.S. brand and the value it provides.
> What the B.A.S.S. Federation is not: It is not “owned” by B.A.S.S., but by each member. The Federation is not “free labor” but engaged individuals that take pride in the responsibility to give back. It is not overlooked or ignored by B.A.S.S. management.
> What the B.A.S.S. Federation is: A community of anglers who enjoy the camaraderie and fellowship that organized B.A.S.S. clubs provide. It represents dedicated members who believe in the future of fishing demonstrated by their tireless volunteer efforts for Conservation, Community Projects and Youth.
Current Concerns
As representatives of your respective states, many of you have expressed concerns surrounding:
> The quality and support provided at the state tournaments and qualifiers, divisionals and national championships as well as a better understanding the role of the ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series (Weekend Series);
> The ability to recruit state sponsors and programs available from BASS premier sponsors;
> Poor communications among BASS, BASS Federation State leaders and the general membership base; and
> The availability of financial assistance to fuel all activities
B.A.S.S. is making strides toward correcting some of the issues, and we are addressing others that we can solve. It is important to also recognize that some criticisms are simply untrue and are spread around like gossip by those who have their own agendas.
Our goal is to answer many of the concerns listed above and work together to develop solutions. The important thing to remember is that B.A.S.S. and ESPN are dedicated to growing and improving the B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation.
Where Is B.A.S.S. Taking The Sport?
B.A.S.S. has taken the last 12 months to complete an intensive review of the competitive tournament fishing landscape to identify opportunities to continue to propel the sport. Key to the overriding principle to raise the bar on competitive bass fishing was adherence to a key objective.
Objective: Fish the Best Locations at the Best Time of year to produce the Best Catches!
This is our strategy for all B.A.S.S. tournaments at all levels from the Federation Nationals, Weekend Series, to WBT, to the Classic.
Why is this so critical? Catching more and bigger fish is what drives our industry. Boats, engines, rods, reels, lures, electronics are all targeting consumers to buy their products for catching more fish. By targeting the best fisheries and best times of year to fish, a platform is created to activate sponsors, develop first class events, leverage community involvement and develop strong promotional campaigns. The strategy also makes for better TV, magazine & newspaper photos, and stories to engage and grow our avid fan base.
Major Enhancements Announced in 2005 to elevate B.A.S.S. included:
> BASSMASTER ELITE SERIES representing the top 100 PRO ANGLERS in the world, established a highly visible new standard of competition…simply the BEST of the BEST. The ELITE SERIES represents a level of competition unparallel in the industry. We are proud to confirm the huge success of the ELITE SERIES as we have reached all goals to date including surpassing our participation target.
> BASSMASTER MAJORS -- Our strategy calls for all of these to be smaller Bassmaster Classic-type events as we move into the future. These events are not rebranded ELITE 50’s. All events include Outdoor Expos and will have final day same-day coverage on ESPN2. These events also pay homage to some key leaders in the sport and provide a means to elevate and promote the Federation:
> Bassmaster Memorial - Don Butler Award
> Bassmaster American - Bryan Kerchal Award
> Bassmaster Legends - Ray Scott Award
> BASSMASTER TOURS -- These TOURS go beyond the “Open” format qualifying regional tours replacing the Bassmaster Opens. More importantly, these tours serve as the only qualifying events to reach the ELITE SERIES. The Southern Tour dates are in the spring/summer, Northern Tour dates in the summer/fall and our plans call for a Western Tour as soon as possible.
> ESPN OUTDOORS BASSMASTER SERIES (WEEKEND SERIES) -- Entering its second year, this introductory level of competition is growing and will continue to benefit all facets of the sport. We have expanded to 6 regions, 30 divisions, and 120 events. The Weekend Series complements and does not compete with the Federation by attracting entry level anglers to the sport. The first year of the Weekend Series far exceeded our expectations and the second year should be even stronger than ever.
> WOMEN’S BASSMASTER TOUR -- Women wanted a league of their own and B.A.S.S. delivered! The highly successful tour features five events in 2006 and it’s own championship without qualification to the Classic. Fields are filling fast. By bringing women into the sport we create a potential for more and new Federation clubs and members.
Our Mission Moving Forward is Clear
“To serve bass anglers wherever bass fishing is watched, listened to, discussed, debated, read about or participated in.”
How will we do that? Through our guiding principles:
> Customer Service
> Conservation
> Competition
> Education
> Experience
Our commitment to the Federation includes:
> Growing B.A.S.S. Federation membership at the state, national and international levels
> Better lines of communication
> Improved member service
> More funding for Conservation at state and local level
> More support for youth and education
> More rewarding experience for B.A.S.S. Federation members
B.A.S.S. Chapter Federations - The Next Generation
It’s a new world . . .
Many factors impacting our industry have changed the landscape for the original Federation Model, but those things we all value remain in tact.
Community, Fraternity and Stewardship
The “Bass Anglers Sportsman Society” and its Federation Chapters are something unique and special and should share:
> A common bond
> A common goal
> A fraternal feel
> A vested interest
We’re proud to roll out the next generation of the B.A.S.S. Chapter Federation…
B.A.S.S. “Federation Nation”
The B.A.S.S. Federation Nation will take a bold new step into a new era for B.A.S.S. State Federation Chapters. We have worked hard to preserve the original purpose of the Federation program as established by Ray Scott and added progressive new benefits and features.
What B.A.S.S. Federation Nation members get for $20
> A subscription to B.A.S.S. Times, the retail value of which is $24
> Eligibility to compete in state tournaments and the prestigious B.A.S.S. Federation Championship
> Six Bassmaster Classic berths
> An insurance program which gives you $1 million liability coverage for sanctioned club events and $9,000 AD&D policy 24 hours per day, seven days a week
> Priority entry in the Bassmaster Tours and ELITE SERIES events as an amateur
> Bassmaster Tour slots reserved for state champions
> Non-boater slots for the Majors and Bassmaster ELITE SERIES
> Early entry in the Bassmaster Tours as boaters or non-boaters
> Priority entry in the ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series
> Sponsorship programs from premier partners available exclusively to members – Alliance Program
> Free CastingKids kits to host youth events
> Travel assistance for Junior World Championship contenders, which will mirror the CastingKids contenders travel assistance and equals a more than $100,000 commitment to Federation Nation families
> The Junior Bassmaster World Championship
> Nationally televised Federation National Championship
> Monthly coverage of Federation events, programs, achievements and initiatives in B.A.S.S. publications (over 4 million readers)
> Strong leadership and support for the grassroots conservation program
> B.A.S.S. staff support (doubled in recent years)
> “Seats at the table” in Washington and in state Capitols
> Two-way communication of conservation information/issues
> Platform for media exposure
> Conservation Directors exclusive message board
> Conservation Grant Program
> Conservation Check-Off Program
> And much more...
Many of the benefits above have always been key to the Federation program. New benefits have been created based on the feedback we have been receiving from you for a long time. The ideas we’re about to share with you, we’ve been working on for many months. The new program features will prove that once again, that B.A.S.S. is the innovator, not the imitator, in the sport of bass fishing.
New Federation Nation Benefits for 2006:
> Insider Membership included with all B.A.S.S. Federation Memberships with annual affiliation ($35 annual value)
> Federation Nation section within B.A.S.S. Insider providing an ability to update all Federation Nation members on the activities of the various states
> Bassmaster University Discounts
> Weekend Series Bonus Program
> B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Club Field Tester Program
> B.A.S.S. STUFF Merchandise Discounts
In addition to the individual member benefits, BASS has developed some opportunities for funding for Federation Nation States including bounties paid for securing new B.A.S.S. members and the ability to receive a percentage rebate to the state on selected merchandise based on total sales from your state.
Conservation
Conservation initiatives remain a key aspect of the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation. New conservations features and initiatives include:
> 2006 Federation Nation Stewardship Program linked to National Fish Habitat Action Plan and the “More Fish” initiative. B.A.S.S. will provide a minimum $1,000 annual endowment to each state Federation Nation for fish habitat work as well as provide discounts on Berkley habitat structures
> Establishment of the B.A.S.S. Federation Conservation College Scholarship Program in 2007. Program includes:
> One (1) four-year scholarship of $2,000 per year will be awarded per Federation division for undergraduate fisheries/biology studies – total of 6 scholarships annually
> One (1) two-year scholarship of $5,000 per year will be awarded nationally for graduate fisheries/biology studies
> Establishment B.A.S.S. Conservation Action Support Teams (CAST). The CAST is linked to the State Federation Nation structure however teams are not tournament eligible. All CAST dues will be split between the state and BASS. These action teams will bring additional credit to the Federation Nation projects completed in the field and will ease the burden on states with respect to providing additional manpower for the various state conservation projects.
Youth Programs
Like Conservation, the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation calls for the strengthening and expansion of the Youth Program. Program enhancements include:
> Travel Assistance for all JWC Contenders in 2007 and beyond
> B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Junior State Champion plaques for each JWC Contender beginning this year
> Annual one-time $10 contribution collected from non-Federation Nation members who compete in any B.A.S.S. event. All proceeds go to B.A.S.S. youth programs, starting in 2007
> The new Junior Bassmaster Magazine provided to all Junior Bassmaster Members & CastingKids
> B.A.S.S. will provide a Walt Disney World Celebration for the two Junior Bassmaster World Champions
Federation Nation Member Service Program
A core value at B.A.S.S. our commitment to serving our members. In order to continue to elevate the support provided to .S.S. Federation Nation, a dedicated Federation member prompt at 1-877-BASS-USA will be created. Agents will be trained on key topics requested by Federation Nation members and will have pertinent information at their fingertips including membership numbers and current status. Calls requiring additional assistance will be routed directly to the Federation Department.
The dedicated line also features expanded Membership Services hours with hours of operation being 8am – 6 pm Eastern time Monday – Friday and 9am – 5 pm eastern time on Saturday. As we evaluate expansion in the West, we will continue to evaluate hours of operation to ensure adequate member coverage.
Competition – Raising the Bar
Divisional Tournaments
The 2006 Divisional payouts will be determined by roster counts from 2005 year-end membership. The Divisional tournaments will continue to provide a pathway to the Federation National Championship.
Federation National Championship (FNC)
Six CITGO Bassmaster Classic berths will continue to be provided to those that place first in their division at the National Championship. B.A.S.S. will be enhancing the FNC total cash payout to $100,000. An additional $45,000 worth of entry fees for the Six Federation Nation Classic qualifiers will be provided for use for entry into the Northern or Southern Tour (value of $7,500/angler at $1,500 per event) bringing the total payout value to $145,000.
The new program: 2007 and beyond…
Each state will send a state champion directly to the B.A.S.S. Federation National Championship. B.A.S.S. will pay state champions’ expenses to the National, including air fare. Spouses’ expenses will be paid as well. This means the current “Divisionals” will be dropped.
B.A.S.S Federation Nation Bass Club Six-Angler World Championship New for 2007
> Each state will qualify six-angler Bass Club teams.
> Team members must be from the same club
> Club size will determine how many teams each club can send to state qualifier
> Each state will send six Bass Club teams to its Regional Championship (10 Regional Championships in nation)
> Team consist of three boaters and three non-boaters
> Paired randomly (not with teammates) in draw format
> Top six Bass Club teams from each Region go to the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Bass Club Six-Angler World Championship
> World Champion team wins six fully rigged Triton/Mercury packages, for total value of $250,000
> B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Bass Club Six-Angler World Championship Competition is only open to Federation Nation Clubs - Any non-affiliated club that wants to participate must join the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation chapter in their state
> State and regional entry fees will be charged to each participating angler
> Regional Bass Club Qualifiers (tentative)
- Southeast: AL, GA, SC, FL, Zimbabwe
- S. Central: MS, LA, AR, East TX, South Africa
- Midwest: OK, MO, KS, NE, IA
- Atlantic: NC, TN, KY, VA, WV, DE, MD
- North East: PA, NY, NJ, New England States, Italy
- Great Lakes: OH, MI, IL, IN, MN, WI, Canada
- Upper Midwest: SD, WY, ID, MT, ND
- Southwest: West TX, NM, CO, UT, Mexico
- Southern Pacific: AZ, S.CA, HI, NV
- Northern Pacific: Northern CA, OR, WA, Japan
Sponsor Programs
Sponsorship activities for Federation Nation States remain unchanged within existing framework
> State sponsor programs determined by Federation Nation State Chapters
> States can sell any sponsorship they desire to support their states’ activities
The single exception is the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Bass Club Six-Angler World Championship program. All activities, from state to regional to national, will be branded only by B.A.S.S. national sponsors. This includes state newsletters, web sites, entry materials, banners and promotional materials, among others, that are related to the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation Bass Club Six-Angler World Championship program.
The benefits and programs listed above and represent a nearly $ 4 Million investment by B.A.S.S. in the activities of the Federation.
B.A.S.S. Federation Nation State Chapter Responsibilities/Expectations
In return for the benefits outlined above, there will be some expectations by B.A.S.S. from the state chapters if they wish to associate with us and market with our brand.
We will require each state to sign a new B.A.S.S. Federation Nation State Chapter agreement. It’s not a “contract,” but it will clearly list any requirements that must be complied with for a state chapter to remain in good standing with B.A.S.S. and receive associated benefits.
We don’t own the states, but we do own the B.A.S.S. brand. To protect our brand, the agreement will address brand use, code of conduct and term limits, among other related items.
The new B.A.S.S. Federation Nation agreement is not a mandate. This will be a voluntary agreement. If any individuals do not want to comply, they can say no. Every individual must comply with the guidelines of the Chapter agreement to participate in the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation. We feel confident that our program and our brand provide an all encompassing approach to cultivation of the industry and the sport and that there will be a lot of people in every state who will want to work with us under these terms.
Our intent is to clearly define and communicate our program to everyone. Members and individual clubs can think about it long and hard, and then make the decision that’s right for them.
All of us at B.A.S.S. sincerely appreciate your devotion to the sport of bass fishing. We look forward to working together to continue to propel the sport to new heights and continue to build on our great legacy.
