KENNESAW, Ga., 3/17/04 - Yamaha Marine's co-sponsorship of BASS, the Bassmaster Classic and BASS Tournament Trail will end this June.
"For many months, our management team has communicated to BASS our desire to continue sponsorship of this organization and their bass fishing events," said Yamaha Marine's Marketing Manager Dale Barnes. "Bass fishing is a great sport. A sport that is important to many of our boat builder partners, dealers, pro angler team members and consumers from coast to coast. We would like nothing more than to continue sponsorship of BASS for many years to come, but unfortunately, we just could not come to agreement with BASS regarding the benefit enhancements and contractual details." Details of the contract discussions were not released.
Skeeter Boats, one of the two current boat sponsors of BASS is equally affected by this same situation. "At Skeeter boats, competitive bass fishing is the passion behind everything we do," said Skeeter Boats Senior Vice President Jeff Stone. "Our involvement with BASS has been very good for our business. But we also have an obligation to make good business decisions, but we could not agree to the sponsorship as it was presented. Like the folks at Yamaha, we are disappointed that the sponsorship will end. Going forward, I can assure our dealers, pro anglers and loyal owners that along with Yamaha, we will continue to aggressively support the efforts of our team anglers as they participate in BASS tournaments and events."
Jay Yelas, 2002 Bassmaster Classic Champion and 2003 BASS Angler of the Year, who is a member of both Team Yamaha and Team Skeeter, said, "It's been a good relationship, beneficial for both parties. Skeeter and Yamaha have benefited from associating with BASS. And BASS has benefited just as much.
"I personally enjoyed having Skeeters in the tournaments to fish from. When I won the Classic, it was great to fish from my sponsors' products, not just for the promotion, but because I knew I'd have no problems with the equipment."
Located in Kilgore, Texas, Skeeter Boats is owned by Yamaha, which is headquartered in Kennesaw, Ga. Both Skeeter and Yamaha sponsor many other fishing tournaments throughout the country including the BassChamps Tournament Trail. Yamaha is also an outboard co-sponsor of many other leading freshwater tournaments including the FLW Tour, the Everstart Series, the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League and the RCL Walleye Tour. For more information, visit www.yamaha-motor.com and www.skeeterboats.com.