For the first time, all three days of the BASS Masters Classic will be covered on national television when ESPN2 provides same-day coverage August 2-4 from New Orleans - significantly enhancing the national exposure of the event. ESPN acquired B.A.S.S. in April.
"We are proud to again break new ground and provide unprecedented coverage of the BASS Masters Classic," said Michael Rooney, general manager, ESPN Outdoors. "We've proven many times over the years that when viewers nationwide discover the excitement of a sport that_s new to them, the sport and its participants benefit."
In addition to the previously announced primetime show scheduled for Saturday, August 18th at 9 p.m., ESPN2 will provide same-day coverage approximately 30 minutes or less after the end of competition Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as updates from the launch site during the ESPN Outdoors programming Saturday morning on ESPN2. The schedule follows (all times are Eastern).
| Date | Event | ESPN2 Telecast Time (ET) |
| Thursday, Aug. 2 | Day One Weigh-In | 6 - 6:30 p.m. |
| Friday, Aug. 3 | Day Two Weigh-In Updates | 6 - 6: 30 p.m. |
| Saturday, Aug. 4 | Final Day Weigh-In | 6:30- 7:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, Aug. 18 | Review | 9 - 10 p.m. |
"This is a tremendous leap forward for professional bass fishing," said Helen Sevier, general manager of B.A.S.S. "I am extremely excited about the opportunity to showcase fishing's grandest event in a way it never has been presented before."
The Classic will be conducted on the Louisiana Delta with daily weigh-ins Thursday-Saturday, August 2-4 in New Orleans. Weigh-ins will take place at the Ernest Morial Convention Center on Thursday, August 2nd and Friday, August 3rd, where for the first time they will be held in conjunction with the Classic Outdoors Show. The Classic Outdoor Show is a consumer-trade show, which showcases products from the outdoor industry. The final day weigh-in will be held at the Louisiana Superdome where over 30,000 fans witnessed the final weigh-in at the 1999 BASS Masters Classic.
"While fishing is my passion, I am also a big NASCAR fan and I don't have to tell anyone what ESPN has meant to NASCAR, the NFL and other major sports," said defending BASS Masters Classic Champion Woo Daves. "This is incredible news for pro anglers, our families, friends and fans around the world."
The 45 Classic contenders will be fishing for a $100,000 top prize and the most important title in the sport. Winning the Classic is the high-water mark in professional fishing and an accomplishment that has rewarded past winners with as much as $1 million in residual earnings. The Classic is the championship event of the Tournament Trail.
The BASS Masters Classic is a week-long celebration for those who love the sport of bass fishing. Notable activities during the 2001 Classic Week in New Orleans include the Kids Klassic which takes place on Wednesday, August 1st at Lafreniere Park. The event is highlighted by a Meet the Pros autograph session from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Kids Klassic takes place from 9 a.m. to noon.