B.A.S.S. buying FLW... Will it happen soon?

[n8cas4]

It seems that pieces have already fallen into place: the switch to a three-day FLW Cup a few years back, no more co-anglers next year...  Most people, anglers and executives, agree it would significantly grow the sport.  Will it happen sooner rather than later?  Would BASS take the top 60 from each top tour to make up the Elites?  Would the rest go into a new lower tier tour?    What do you guys think? 

[Deleted account]

Don't know, don't care. 

[n8cas4]

2 minutes ago, reason said:

Don't know, don't care. 

don't comment

[12poundbass]

I don't think the two will ever merge. However writer Don Barone hinted recently that big changes could be coming that could draw a line in the sand. A few Elite pros have hinted to something as well. The rumor mill is running wild right now. Supposedly whatever is going to happen is supposed to in the next week or two. 

[A-Jay]

18 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

I don't think the two will ever merge. However writer Don Barone hinted recently that big changes could be coming that could draw a line in the sand. A few Elite pros have hinted to something as well. The rumor mill is running wild right now. Supposedly whatever is going to happen is supposed to in the next week or two. 

I think I heard that the Elites Series will soon be an A-Rig only deal.

A-Rig All day Every Day.

Sort of like a Chinese Food Buffet.

Ok - maybe not  . . . . .

Be interested to see what if any the changes will be though

A-Jay

 

[38 Super Fan]

I'm betting they'll stay separate, but who knows? I do like the changes coming from FLW. I'd like to see BASS make some changes too, invite more FLW guys to the Bassmaster Classic each year. They advertise the Classic as the best of best, but guys like Thrift, Morgan, Rose etc. aren't invited? Tough sell.

[Logan S]

Just now, 38 Super Fan said:

I'm betting they'll stay separate, but who knows? I do like the changes coming from FLW. I'd like to see BASS make some changes too, invite more FLW guys to the Bassmaster Classic each year. They advertise the Classic as the best of best, but guys like Thrift, Morgan, Rose etc. aren't invited? Tough sell.

You don't get 'invited' to the Classic, there's a qualification process and those guys haven't qualified...Not saying they couldn't, but they just haven't.  

 

I doubt they merge, I don't think either tour will ever have enough money to buy the other.  I've seen the rumors about something involving MLF and Johnny Morris, I guess we'll have to wait and see.  I think it's probably some kind of anglers union or organization like the old PAA that's coming.

[volzfan59]

4 minutes ago, 38 Super Fan said:

invite more FLW guys to the Bassmaster Classic each year. They advertise the Classic as the best of best, but guys like Thrift, Morgan, Rose etc. aren't invited? Tough sell.

The FLW pro's have to qualify thru the opens to make it to the Elite's like everyone else. Then they could qualify for the Classic. Thrift, Morgan, Rose and Dudley have all said that they prefer to stay FLW. They would rather be a big fish in a small pond.

[n8cas4]

15 minutes ago, Logan S said:

I doubt they merge, I don't think either tour will ever have enough money to buy the other.  I've seen the rumors about something involving MLF and Johnny Morris, I guess we'll have to wait and see.  I think it's probably some kind of anglers union or organization like the old PAA that's coming.

Good point about the money...

 

Maybe the new majority owners from the recent changes to BASS ownership know more about making something like this happen. It would take YEARS, in my opinion, to combine the two top tours into one. But, the creation of a new ‘triple-A’ sort of trail for the rest of the, say 100 anglers who didn’t make it into the elites, that would make it a little easier for an aspiring angler to learn the ropes and survive financially would be exciting. 

[Deleted account]

32 minutes ago, n8cas4 said:

It would take YEARS, in my opinion, to combine the two top tours into one.

May I comment?

[Mike L]

Don't really care either way but I hope it happens. 

 

In my opinion one larger governing body organized with a fair structure, having the best anglers under one umbrella would be ideal. 

It will not only improve the competition, but it will have a greater possibility of moving the sport more into the mainstream. 

 

 

 

 

Mike

[38 Super Fan]

1 hour ago, volzfan59 said:

The FLW pro's have to qualify thru the opens to make it to the Elite's like everyone else. Then they could qualify for the Classic. Thrift, Morgan, Rose and Dudley have all said that they prefer to stay FLW. They would rather be a big fish in a small pond.

 

1 hour ago, Logan S said:

You don't get 'invited' to the Classic, there's a qualification process and those guys haven't qualified...Not saying they couldn't, but they just haven't.  

 

I doubt they merge, I don't think either tour will ever have enough money to buy the other.  I've seen the rumors about something involving MLF and Johnny Morris, I guess we'll have to wait and see.  I think it's probably some kind of anglers union or organization like the old PAA that's coming.

I know you have to qualify...but their criteria to qualify seems very flawed to me. FLWs angler of the year doesn't even earn qualification? I know they're rival tours, but I'd still like to see the top 10 in FLW AOY standings qualify for the Classic. It's the biggest tourney in fishing, lets get all the best anglers in there.

[Columbia Craw]

It's a business.  Both organizations are driven by profit.  The vested sponsors will mostly dictate any consideration to establish a merger.  The anglers are a component.  This won't be like the the old AFL-NFL merger driven by owners. Major sponsors will have the most influence. Media won't even come into play being the viewer market is small and events are barely covered for TV.  Neither tour comes out west any more so that effects how I view the whole concept anyway. 

[nosdog2]

I thought they reversed the no co-anglers thing and are bringing them back next year. 

[n8cas4]

3 hours ago, reason said:

May I comment?

 

1 hour ago, Columbia Craw said:

It's a business.  Both organizations are driven by profit.  The vested sponsors will mostly dictate any consideration to establish a merger.  The anglers are a component.  This won't be like the the old AFL-NFL merger driven by owners. Major sponsors will have the most influence. Media won't even come into play being the viewer market is small and events are barely covered for TV.  Neither tour comes out west any more so that effects how I view the whole concept anyway. 

Bass is going out west next year ...  and the co-anglers are gone next year in FLW for the first time in a while

[Mike L]

43 minutes ago, nosdog2 said:

I thought they reversed the no co-anglers thing and are bringing them back next year. 

Haven't heard that, but I hope you're right. 

 

 

Mike

[J.Vincent]

Ive not heard anything about a BASS & FLW merger ; nor have I heard anyone hinting to do so. So who is the source of the rumor ? 

[n8cas4]

16 minutes ago, J.Vincent said:

Ive not heard anything about a BASS & FLW merger ; nor have I heard anyone hinting to do so. So who is the source of the rumor ? 

It’s been on people’s minds for a while now.  Jerry McKinnis a couple years back, in an interview with ikelive or Bass Talk Live (I forget) tippy-toed around some questions of whether the two have met for talks and it just seems that with FLWs recent actions, that something big is coming. It doesn’t make sense for these two to be competing against each other (which they clearly are, since they won’t line up their schedules to let anglers fish both trails ) when their goal ultimately is to grow the sport of bass fishing. With MLF taking off and getting great TV deals, it seems like a smart move... just a real complicated and costly move. 

[DSTN]

Seems like the FLW moves were made to help themselves and their anglers more squarely compete with BASS. If there was a merger or buyout in the works it seems like maybe they wouldn't have bothered with the changes.

[webertime]

100% isn't happening for one huge reason...

Next year MLF will have the top 75 pros from each in their new series.  The TOP pros are doing it exclusively.  2 huge payout tournaments and 3-5 pro level payout tournaments.   Current flw/BASS tournament model for pros is antiquated and is dying.  Why spend money to merge?

[burrows]

MLF is what’s going to take over everything.

[J.Vincent]

No offense and I say this as a person who really enjoys watching MLF; but I think the Major League Fishing format is cool and novel and exciting because it’s different, but it’s not the format of the future. BASS has worked very hard to capture the true challenges of tournament bass Fishing and also highlight the high school side , college side, amateur side and pro side of the sport. BASS has the sport covered from every angle; and that is something FLW and MLF cannot completely offer...so as the sport progresses I think BASS will make some exciting changes within their own Brand and tournament formats but most likely not merge with FLW. It just seems too much like a monopoly of the pro trail...but I’m sure anything can happen in a world motivated by financial gain 

[Logan S]

11 hours ago, webertime said:

100% isn't happening for one huge reason...

Next year MLF will have the top 75 pros from each in their new series.  The TOP pros are doing it exclusively.  2 huge payout tournaments and 3-5 pro level payout tournaments.   Current flw/BASS tournament model for pros is antiquated and is dying.  Why spend money to merge?

Any credible source on this?  That's a pretty huge bombshell if true...Especially since good chunk of the field for the 2019 Classic are already qualified or likely to be qualified and the 2019 FLW Cup is set/scheduled as well.  Not to mention both schedules for 2019 are already announced.  I seriously doubt that's the case.    

 

I personally don't think MLF itself is 'the future', but I do think you'll see the Catch-Weigh-Release format come into play eventually...BASS already does for Texas Fest, the College Bracket, and the Classic Bracket.  It's a great idea that's catching on all the way down to the grassroots level, our club even does it for some tournaments.  

[nosdog2]

16 hours ago, Mike L said:

Haven't heard that, but I hope you're right. 

 

 

Mike

Scott Martin announced it on his Youtube channel while he was at the FWC banquet.  

[burrows]

Flw co anglers are coming back next year. Scott and billy anounced it on Scott’s channel.