Does Revamped Elite Series Add Up?

In the time since BASS released news last Friday of its revamped Bassmaster Elite Series, BassFans have heard from the pros about the changes, and reaction was about the same – they're okay with the shortened schedule, but they're not okay with the payout structure.

Under the revision, the full field of Elite pros will fish eight events this season (rather than 11). The Top 12 in the Angler of the Year (AOY) race will

then fish an additional two events to determine the final Top 12 in the AOY race.

BASS lessened its entry fees considerably. It also cut Elite Series payout considerably, but left the AOY payout the same. And that's a point of contention for the pros, because in their eyes, the current payout isn't capable of sustaining a volume of pro careers, and too few anglers get to share the already skinny purse.

To put those concerns aside for a moment, it's worth taking the time to analyze whether the new math adds up. In other words, will the pros still be fishing for the same relative purse in proportion to their entry fees?

Here's a look.

Former System

In order to analyze the revised payout structure, here's a look at the Elite Series purses as originally advertised.

2009 Elite Series Payouts (Originally Advertised)
1 -- $100,000
2 -- $30,000
3 -- $25,000
4 -- $18,000
5 -- $17,000
6 -- $15,500
7 -- $15,000
8 -- $14,500
9 -- $14,000
10 -- $13,500
11 -- $12,500
12 -- $12,300
13 -- $10,800
14 -- $10,700
15 -- $10,600
16–20 -- $10,500 each
21–25 -- $10,250 each
26–50 -- $10,000 each
> Total = $673,150 per event ($7,404,650 for 11 events)

2009 Elite Series AOY Payout (Originally Advertised)
1 -- $250,000
2 -- $100,000
3 -- $55,000
4 -- $45,000
5 -- $35,000
6 -- $30,000
7 -- $28,000
8 -- $25,000
9 -- $22,000
10 -- $20,000
11 -- $17,500
12 -- $16,500
13 -- $16,000
14 -- $15,500
15 -- $15,000
16 -- $14,500
17 -- $14,000
18 -- $13,500
19 -- $13,000
20 -- $12,500
21 -- $12,000
22 -- $11,500
23 -- $11,000
24 -- $10,500
25 -- $10,000
26 -- $9,800
27 -- $9,600
28 -- $9,400
29 -- $9,200
30 -- $9,000
31 -- $8,800
32 -- $8,600
33 -- $8,400
34 -- $8,200
35 -- $8,000
36 -- $7,900
37 -- $7,800
38 -- $7,700
39 -- $7,600
40 -- $7,500
41 -- $7,400
42 -- $7,300
43 -- $7,200
44 -- $7,100
45 -- $7,000
46 -- $6,900
47 -- $6,800
48 -- $6,700
49 -- $6,600
50 -- $6,500
> Total = $1,010,000

The total proposed purse for the 2009 Elite Series was thus $8,414,650, excluding the Bassmaster Classic, which is assumed to retain is current payout structure in 2010 (because BASS said its revised Elite Series affects just the 2009 season).

Based on entry fees of $57,200 per angler for 100 anglers, total pay-in by the pros would have been $5,720,000. That means that BASS would contribute $2,694,650 to the purse. That number lowers if BASS overbooks. With 108 Elite anglers, for instance, BASS would contribute about $450,000 less.

Another method of analysis is the fee-to-prize ratio. Based on 100 anglers, the 2009 Elite Series was originally advertised at a 70% fee-to-prize ratio (anglers would fund 70% of the proposed purse). If BASS were to run 108 boats, the pros would fund 73% of the purse.

Current System

Here's a look at the payout announced by BASS last Friday as part of its "revamped" Elite Series.

2009 Elite Series Payouts (Revised)
1 -- $100,000
2 -- $25,000
3 -- $20,000
4 -- $15,000
5 -- $14,000
6 -- $13,000
7 -- $12,000
8 -- $11,000
9 -- $10,200
10 -- $10,100
11 -- $9,500
12 -- $9,000
13 -- $8,900
14 -- $8,800
15 -- $8,500
16 -- $8,000
17 -- $7,000
18 -- $6,000
19 -- $5,800
20 -- $5,700
21 -- $5,500
22 -- $5,500
23 -- $5,500
24 -- $5,500
25 -- $5,500
26–50 -- $5,000
> Total = $460,000 per event ($3,680,000 for 8 events)

2009 Elite Series AOY Payout (Revised)
> Total = $1,010,000 (Same as 2008, see above.)

The total revised purse for the 2009 Elite Series is thus $4,690,000, again excluding the 2010 Bassmaster Classic.

Based on revised entry fees of $32,000 per angler for 100 anglers, total pay-in by the pros will be $3,200,000. That means that BASS will award an additional $1,490,000.

Where does that put the fee-to-prize ratio for 100 boats? Just a hair lower (68%) than the originally proposed ratio. And if BASS runs 108 boats, pros would fund the purse just a touch more (74% vs. 73% under the original plan).

Based on the math, BASS's revamp seems to be an across-the-board trade – lighter entry fees equal a proportionately lighter payout.