BASS said, Citgo gone for next year.

[Matt Fly]

All this talk about americans wanting to hurt other americans by boycotting was alittle to early.

*** annouces today that BASS said Citgo is a forgone conclusion and is mentioned no more as 2007-08 sponsor.

I had faith, and knew they would do the right thing.

I still don't and haven't been a customer of Citgo products directly.

Matt.

[senile1]

Yes, indeed.  For those who haven't read this, here's the quote:

It's been a foregone conclusion in the sport that title sponsor Citgo would no longer be with BASS next year. Citgo is mentioned nowhere in this document, nor is any other title sponsor mentioned. About Citgo and BASS parting ways, BASS director of communications Jamie Wilkinson said: "We have reached an agreement to end sponsorship after this season based on Citgo's decision to move in a different direction. We are in discussions with a number of potential new sponsors."

And here's the link:

http://www.another site/docktalk.asp?archive=10/3/2006

Oh, Geez Louise, its not showing the site.  See Matt's post for the site and leave out the space.

[The Duke]

This is great news Matt! I think we all figured they would get away from Citgo b/c of the bad press Chavez is giving himself. He's going to destroy all of his business in America if he doesn't watch it. I think this website is proof of that.

Duke

[KYbass1276]

This is great news Matt! I think we all figured they would get away from Citgo b/c of the bad press Chavez is giving himself. He's going to destroy all of his business in America if he doesn't watch it. I think this website is proof of that.

Duke

Personally I hope he does lose all business with us.  But anyway I'm glad to see bass give citgo the axe

[Troutfisher]

I love to see them give Citgo the boot.  Send Chavez and his crowd back to where they came from.

[Bassinfreak2]

Part of the reason I quit fishing the BASS federation and weekend series was due in large part to the title sponsor (CITGO). Now that it looks like they have parted ways it might be a good time to look at them seriously again.  

[VekolBass]

I seriously considered not renewing my membership with BASS due to the Citgo relationship. Then I started to think about it. Citgo is paying BASS money to sponser their tournaments. Every dollar that Chavez sends to BASS is one less dollar he has to fund mischief in Latin America and elsewhere in the world. Frankly, I think it's too bad that BASS cancelled their relationship.

[Gatorbassman]

I just talked to someone in the know. I can't say their name because the are well known but he said that BASS didn't pull away from Citgo but it was the other way around. Citgo pull out of BASS. Truth be told. BASS is broke. They have no money. Bar any miracle. BASS's days are numbered.

[VekolBass]

I just talked to someone in the know. I can't say their name because the are well known but he said that BASS didn't pull away from Citgo but it was the other way around. Citgo pull out of BASS. Truth be told. BASS is broke. They have no money. Bar any miracle. BASS's days are numbered.

That's interesting. I wonder who ESPN will try to blame for running that goldmine into the ground.

[The Duke]

There is no way I'd believe BASS is broke w/ ownership of ESPN and its recent expansion. BASS was the first and will remain. Their sponsors have grown quite a bit the past few years.

With all due respect, I don't put any stock in statements with "I know someone who knows but I can't say who they are..."

Duke

[Hillbilly_Hooker]

I'll agree with The Duke, I can't imagine that BASS is broke.  I'm a state officer for the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation of Virginia and, given the planning that we're doing for next year, there is NO way I would believe that BASS is going anywhere.  As The Duke wrote, BASS was the first and I believe it will be around long after the others are gone.

Hillbilly

[Gatorbassman]

Let's put it this way. Bass owes alot of money to several companies and employees and can't pay them.

Let's do some math.

Loss of thousands of magazine subscriptions.

Loss of Major and Minor Sponsors.

Cutting of the most expensive TV shows.

Loss of some big name Pros.

The search for more small sponsors to make up for the big ones.

I just don't see a profit here. With no profit. I don't see ESPN holding on to it much longer.

My sources work for BASS and ESPN and they know that it won't be long before they will have to find a new job.

If I'm wrong. Feel free to come back and tell me I told you so. I can take it.

[The Duke]

I'm not in the business of "I told you so." As an outsider, its hard for me to imagine is all. Hopefully, you're wrong, but I'm only an outsider and can't fathom the idea. I'm not sure what sponsors they've lost besides Citgo and cutting expensive TV shows? Which ones? BASSCenter? I don't see how a few pros fishing different circuits has any effect; they don't pump in any money besides their entry fees. Nevertheless, its definetly a transition period for BASS and bass fishing in general; I don't know how ESPN or anyone in charge couldn't predict it to take a few years to completely come together.

Duke

[Matt Fly]

I also can't see one sponsor leaving, even though Citgo was the main one put a damper on the tour.    

   What other sponsors left?    No press that I have found to confirm that.    As far as pros goes.     You could fill BASS' one hundred member field out and still leave some names off the list.

Plenty of Marquee names to fill up both tours.

Disney owns them both, and theres plenty of money left in that bank account to foot the bill for a few years.     Not to mention, that a new sponsor is not out of the question to fullfill Citgo's void.

Time will tell.

Matt.

[Gatorbassman]

Matt, I totally agree. Time will tell. I sure hope I am wrong. But keep an eye on the PAA. They have a few plans for the future after BASS that are great.

[Matt Fly]

Fluke,    I have mixed feelings about the PAA on Fork next April.    I just don't see how catch, weigh, film and release on the water is gonna make for a good audience at the weight in.

If someone is lucky to catch and over the slot fish (16-24 inches) and bring it to the scales, it would be very small number that goes to the scale.

Both FLW and BASS schedules are clear for the Fork PAA tourney Aprile 9-15th, 2007.

Some logistics to think about.       200 angler field, paired into teams.      How many cameras are on the normal tours?     Will each boat have its on camera and judge in the boat.

Scoring is done on measurements and points if I have read correctly.

This will be ground breaking new format.     I will definetly be watching.

I don't think anyone can complain about keeping fish out of the livewell, afterall, its keeping stress down to a minimum.     Conservation taking a new step forward in tournament fishing.

Matt.

[Gatorbassman]

Yea I don't agree with that format. I don't think it will work. But this will be the beginning of bigger and better things to come out of he PAA.