CELEBRATION, Fla. - Purolator, the Official Oil and Air Filter of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, announced today that it has extended its contract with BASS through 2008.
Purolator will continue to be the title sponsor of the highly coveted Purolator Big Bass prize, which rewards the angler who catches the biggest single bass during each day of a BASS event. Additionally, Purolator awards the Purolator Big Bass of the Tournament to the angler with the biggest bass of the tournament. In 2005, Purolator gave anglers approximately $141,000 in Big Bass awards.
In 2006, Purolator will boost that amount to more than $170,000. It will support the Bassmaster Classic, Elite Series, Northern and Southern Tours, BASS Federation Nation Championship and the ESPN Outdoors Bassmaster Series. Additionally, the Big Bass will be featured on the Bassmasters, each Saturday at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN2.
"The BASS sponsorship has been successful for us on many levels," said Rob Malone, vice president of Purolator. "Not only have we experienced positive growth in brand awareness and in our overall business, we've also developed great partnerships with the other sponsors and great endorsement relationships with our Team Purolator pros."
Purolator will also sponsor the Big Bass Fan program at select Bassmaster Elite Series events and the Bassmaster Majors. Twelve lucky fans will be paired with anglers on the final day of competition. If their angler weighs-in the day's biggest fish, that fan will win $1,000.
"We are pleased that Purolator has extended its relationship with BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing," said Don Rucks, vice president and general manager of BASS. "We look forward to another successful tournament year, which launches next week with the Bassmaster Classic in Florida."
Purolator's sponsorship will continue to include on-site tournament presence, boat sponsorship, youth programs and conservation efforts, as well as a significant presence in BASS' television, print and Internet media outlets.