ST. LOUIS, Oct. 22,2003 - The world's top bass anglers will be out to reel in prize money totaling $200,000 in the "BUSCH Shootout" competition announced today by BUSCH beer as part of the brand's continuing sponsorship of BASS.
"We are enthusiastic about further enhancing our sponsorship of BASS. This makes it possible for BUSCH beer and BASS to encourage conservation of the outdoors while supporting the sport of fishing and providing opportunities for anglers to earn a living doing what they enjoy," said Tom Wilson, BUSCH Beer brand manager, Anheuser-Busch, Inc. "In addition, BASS provides a great opportunity for BUSCH beer to reach adult beer drinkers who enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting."
The "BUSCH Shootout" is a year-long competition that gives anglers the opportunity to earn a spot in an end-of-season one-day championship tournament with prize money totaling $160,000. The qualifying portion of the tournament ties into all of the "Bassmaster Tournament Trail presented by BUSCH Beer" events, awarding a $1,000 check to the participating pro angler who bags the top weight each competition day (the "BUSCH Heavyweight Champ"). During the qualifying portion of the "BUSCH Shootout," anglers will earn a total of $40,000.
In addition, BUSCH beer is offering the ultimate challenge with a $1 million payout. If an angler sets a new record for the largest five-bass, BASS tournament limit during the "BUSCH Shootout " qualifying portion of the Tournament Trail events, he or she will bag a million-dollar prize. The current mark is 45 pounds, 2 ounces.
The top single-day "BUSCH Shootout" anglers will be tracked throughout the season, with the Final Top-10 joining one pro-angler with the largest one-day total weight catch from the 2003 Open Championship, 2004 Federation Championship and the 2004 Bassmaster Classic to compete in the "BUSCH Shootout" championship tournament.
The all-expense-paid "BUSCH Shootout" championship tournament will take place on Sept. 18, 2004, with the qualifying anglers taken to an undisclosed "mystery lake" in the United States where they will compete under a "modified showdown format" that will be announced only hours before the tournament. The angler with the largest catch of the day will collect a $100,000 grand prize and each of the other participating anglers will receive a check for $5,000 - creating a "Shootout" for the top honors and a chance for all participants to earn money. The "BUSCH Shootout" will be taped for television broadcast on ESPN2, airing fall 2004.
"This is a unique concept that BASS, BUSCH beer and our anglers can really have some fun with throughout the entire season," said Dean Kessel, vice president and general manager, BASS. "The excitement of this new BUSCH beer event gives all anglers the opportunity to qualify right up to the last moment regardless of their overall points standing during the season, while increasing the overall prize money that anglers can win. BUSCH beer has again demonstrated its commitment to this sport, and this new BUSCH Shootout is a great example of a true collaboration between our two organizations."
"The BASS Athlete Advisory Council wholeheartedly endorses and is excited about the opportunity for BASS anglers to qualify for the "BUSCH Shootout" because it's exactly the type of competitive showdown on the lake that we all welcome," said Paul Elias, president of the BAAC. "BUSCH beer continues to push our sport to new levels, while reinforcing its proven track record of being a committed supporter of BASS and anglers."
BUSCH beer will continue to be a major sponsor of BASS, serving as the "Official Beer of BASS" and the presenting sponsor of the "Bassmaster Tournament Trail," the "BASS Federation Championship," the "Bassmaster Classic" and "The Bassmasters," a weekly fishing show on ESPN2 that is presented by BUSCH beer. BUSCH beer is committed to supporting BASS anglers across the country through its continued sponsorship and association with BASS.