Franklin to Host Bass Masters Classic on ESPN2

The 2001 Bassmaster Classic

Long-time ESPN college football and basketball play-by-play commentator and fishing show host Ron Franklin will host ESPN2's three days of same-day coverage of the BASS Masters Classic August 2-4 from New Orleans. In a television first, all three days of the event – the Super Bowl of bass fishing -- will be covered on national television. Franklin will be joined on air by familiar ESPN Outdoors hosts Jerry McKinnis and Tommy Sanders and long-time Bass Tournament Trail commentator Fish Fishburne.

     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 ESPN Outdoors Saturday morning on ESPN2. The schedule follows (all times ET).

DateEventESPN2 Telecast Time (ET)
Thursday, Aug. 2Day One Weigh-In6 - 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 3Day Two Weigh-In Updates  6 - 6: 30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 4Final Day Weigh-In6:30- 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 18  Review9 - 10 p.m.
 The Classic will be conducted on the Louisiana Delta with daily weigh-ins August 2-4 in New Orleans. Weigh-ins will take place at the Ernest Morial Convention Center on August 2nd 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.