BASS sold....

[kjackson]

This has been in the rumor mill for yonks, but it looks like it will finally happen:

August 3, 2010
ESPN Reaches Agreement in Principle to Sell BASS
ESPN Inc., announced Tuesday that it has reached an agreement in principle to sell BASS, LLC to a group of investors led by Don Logan, Jerry McKinnis and Jim Copeland.
BASS is the largest membership organization of bass anglers in the U.S. with more than 500,000 members. It was purchased by ESPN in 2001 and includes several media platforms, including three magazines and a popular web site.
The purchasing party will assume ownership of all BASS’ assets after the completion of the sale.
“The investor group, with its enthusiasm for the brand, will continue to serve BASS’ interests with anglers,” said Traug Keller, ESPN senior vice president, production, business divisions.
As part of the agreement in principle, BASS’ core television programming assets – the Bassmaster Elite Series and Bassmaster Classic – will remain on ESPN networks.
Investor and outdoorsman McKinnis has a long history with ESPN as the host of the network’s second longest-running show, The Fishin’ Hole, which aired from 1980 until 2007.
Retired Time Inc., executive and avid angler Logan at one time oversaw Time Inc., America Online, Time Warner Cable and the Time Warner Book Group before his retirement from the media giant in 2002.
Georgia native Copeland retired as U.S. and Global CEO of international financial services firm Deloitte in 2003 and currently serves on the board of directors of three Fortune 500 companies.
“I am eager to begin working with the anglers, sponsors, and supporters to bring an even more exciting BASS business to its fan base,” said McKinnis.
“This group is looking forward to working with the fishing industry’s strongest brand and plans to make BASS even more relevant in the multimedia world,” said Logan.
Until a sales transaction is finalized, BASS will continue to operate under ESPN’s ownership.
About BASS
For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and its expansive tournament structure while connecting directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.
The Bassmaster brand and its multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer; comprehensive Web properties in Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and ESPN2 television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.
BASS oversees the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, BASS Federation Nation and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.
BASS offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members and remains focused on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.

[rjn cajun]

Yeah I heard it was final. ESPN has run it into the ground and they still have rights to broad cast some shows. Alot of guy`s left when espn bought it and went to FLW .

[Bigbass Dez]

Get ready to for FLW Tour on FOX !!

[iwalton]

So, what does this mean for B.A.S.S.? Good or bad things? I read the magazines religiously in junior high, used to be really good stuff.

[rjn cajun]

Who know`s at this point it`s a wait and see game now. One thing is that some of the broadcast from tourny`s and other tv shows will change and be broadcst from other channels like the OLN,FOX and WFN just to name a few.

[kjackson]

I was at the tackle show in Las Vegas when this was going around as a rumor. Attached to the rumor was the idea that McKinnis was going to produce a
"reality" bass fishing show with 12 of the top guys competing. Supposedly, the rest of the tournaments (or maybe just the TV coverage) would be scrapped in favor of it. Considering that the first part of the rumor--McKinnis buying BASS--was partially true, the rest of it might be as well.

The three magazines have been struggling for some time, so what the future holds for them is up in the air. If the bean counters do the math, there will likely be significant changes to print coverage in the future.

[spindog]

I miss the days of "Ray Scott" and B.A.S.S. To me it's not the same, I was so disapointed when ESPN took over. Now even more!