MINNEAPOLIS (Sept. 23, 2003) - FLW Outdoors announced Tuesday that Yamaha Outboards will expand its sponsorship of the tournament-fishing organization. Yamaha will be one of the official outboard-motor sponsors of FLW Outdoors' six tournament trails through the 2006 season. Yamaha joined FLW Outdoors' industry-leading team of sponsors in 2001 and, with its new sponsorship commitment, will be part of the team for years to come.
Yamaha, a leader in the outboard-engine market, will reach an audience of 55 million Americans who fish each year through its sponsorship of FLW Outdoors' 175 bass and walleye tournaments. FLW Outdoors tournament trails include the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, the EverStart Series, the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League, the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Tour, the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye League and the Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail.
"Having our motors featured on numerous tournament boats is a great way for some of the best anglers in the world to experience and demonstrate the reliable performance Yamaha outboards have been designed to deliver," said Phil Dyskow, Yamaha Marine group president. "We are proud to contribute to competitive fishing and look forward to working with FLW Outdoors in the years ahead to continue to propel the sport into the spotlight."
Yamaha's products can be seen on specially designed Ranger boats used during televised rounds of competition at FLW Outdoors events. Yamaha also participates in the Family Fun Zone at all Wal-Mart FLW Tour events and is publicized through the wide spectrum of media maintained by FLW Outdoors, including the "FLW Outdoors" television program, FLW Outdoors Magazine advertisements, prominence on FLWOutdoors.com, signage at tournaments, and inclusion in tour promotional and public relations materials.
Yamaha-sponsored anglers have long been high-profile competitors on various FLW Outdoors tournament trails. In fact, Team Yamaha pro Jay Yelas of Tyler, Texas, earned the FLW Tour's coveted Land O'Lakes Angler of the Year title in 2002 and was featured on the cover of a special-edition Kellogg's box.
"Yamaha is a leader with extraordinary value in the outboard-power market," said Irwin Jacobs, chairman of FLW Outdoors. "The innovative company has enhanced competitive fishing, and we are grateful for their continued support. We are excited to work with Yamaha to continue bringing our high-profile tournaments to the next level."
One of the world's premier outboard manufacturers for more than 40 years, Yamaha produces outboard motors in more than 180 countries and is often regarded as the best-selling saltwater outboard in the world. Yamaha's world-renowned technology has led the outboard maker to the development of state-of-the-art features such as HPDI (High Pressure Direct Injection), which won the Motor Boating and Sailing Innovation Award in 2000, plus the coveted IMTEC Innovation Award and the Popular Mechanics Design and Engineering Award. Its four-stroke outboard technology has also garnered multiple Industry Innovation Awards presented by Boating Writers International.
Wal-Mart and many of America's most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. Wal-Mart has been the title sponsor of FLW Outdoors since 1997. For a complete list of FLW Outdoors sponsors and for more information about the premier products and services they offer, please visit FLWOutdoors.com.
For more information about FLW Outdoors tournaments, visit FLWOutdoors.com or call (270) 252-1000.