BASS announced today its revised 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series regular-season schedule. Following the adjustments made in 2009, BASS altered the 2010 season schedule to reflect the new format, which will consist of eight regular-season Elite Series events…
BASS announced today its revised 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series regular-season schedule. Following the adjustments made in 2009, BASS altered the 2010 season schedule to reflect the new format, which will consist of eight regular-season Elite Series events, followed by the Bassmaster Elite Series postseason.
With the announcement, BASS eliminated the Battle on the Border (April 15-18; Lake Amistad; Del Rio, Texas), Empire Chase (July 21-24; Lake Champlain; Plattsburgh, N.Y.) and Champions Choice (July 29-August 1; Lake Erie; Buffalo, N.Y.) from the previously announced schedule.
Additionally, BASS moved the date of the Blue Ridge Brawl from Aug. 12-15 to April 15-18. The regular season will now culminate with the Sooner Run, set for June 17-20 on the Arkansas River out of Muskogee, Okla. The revised schedule can be found below. The location of the postseason events will be announced at a later date.
The creation of the postseason has been instrumental in creating drama and excitement surrounding the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year program, said Tom Ricks, vice president & general manager, BASS & ESPN Outdoors.
For the 2009 season, BASS introduced the eight-event regular season and postseason format. The format was backed by some impressive metrics, including a 29 percent increase in average event attendance from 2008, the successful implementation of emerging technologies in BASSCast and BASSTrak and a 39 percent increase in page views on http://www.Bassmaster.com during Elite Series competition weeks.
As with past years, each Elite-level event in 2010 will receive one hour of television coverage on ESPN2s The Bassmasters, which airs Saturdays at 9 a.m. ET. ESPN2 will kick off the Bassmaster Elite Series season with more than 10 hours of programming devoted to the 2010 Bassmaster Classic through three days. The Classic is set for Feb. 19-21 on Lay Lake out of Birmingham, Ala.
Additionally, Bassmaster.com and ESPNOutdoors.com will provide fishing fans with technologies that present on-the-water coverage, photo galleries, stories and analysis at the Classic and all Elite events throughout the season, accompanied by award-winning coverage by Bassmaster Magazine and BASS Times.
The entire pro roster for the 2010 Bassmaster Elite Series will be released in early 2010, when all qualifications are realized. The Elite Series regular-season, four-day tournament format will follow the 2009 model, with the top 50 anglers qualifying for the third day of competition and the top 12 competing on the final day.
On the heels of a successful inaugural season of the Bassmaster Elite Series Marshal program, BASS will open registration for 2010 Marshals in August. BASS Federation Nation, Life and Insider members will all be eligible for priority registration for the eight regular-season events beginning Aug. 4 at 9 a.m. ET. On Aug. 25, all BASS members can register at 9 a.m. ET. Additional information can be found on Bassmaster.com.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit Bassmaster.com. Visit ESPNOutdoorsMedia.com for ESPN Outdoors latest releases, schedules and other news, plus photos, video, audio clips and more.
2010 Bassmaster Elite Series Schedule
Date, Event, Fishery Host City
March 11-14 Duel in the Delta California Delta Stockton, Calif.
March 18-21 Golden State Shootout Clear Lake Lakeport, Calif.
April 15-18 Blue Ridge Brawl Smith Mountain Lake Moneta, Va.
April 29-May 2 Alabama Charge Pickwick Lake Florence, Ala.
May 6-9 Southern Challenge Lake Guntersville Guntersville, Ala.
May 20-23 Pride of Georgia Clarks Hill Lake Evans, Ga.
*June 9-12 Tennessee Triumph Kentucky Lake Paris, Tenn.
June 17-20 Sooner Run Arkansas River Muskogee, Okla.
* Wednesday-Saturday event
About BASS For more than 40 years, BASS has served as the authority on bass fishing. With its considerable multimedia platforms and expansive tournament trail, BASS is guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer and comprehensive Web properties in ESPN360.com, ESPNs broadband sports network, Bassmaster.com, BASSInsider.com and ESPNOutdoors.com, the organization is committed to delivering content true to the lifestyle. Additionally, television programming on ESPN2 continues to provide relevant content from tips and techniques to in-depth tournament coverage to passionate audiences. The organization oversees the prestigious Bassmaster tournament trail, which includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bassmaster Opens, Academy Sports + Outdoors Womens Bassmaster Tour and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic. Through its grassroots network, the BASS Federation Nation, BASS annually sanctions more than 20,000 events. BASS also offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members while spearheading progressive, positive change on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
