CHEVY CHASE, Md. (Dec. 19, 2012) -- Looking to expand its already formidable presence in the powersports market, GEICO has announced a partnership with Major League Fishing, a newly formed competition featuring 24 of the world's top professional bass anglers.
Major League Fishing offers made-for-television events designed to be more exciting and dramatic than conventional bass fishing tournaments. Utilizing real-time leaderboards in each boat and unlimited fish counts, the format forces competitors to keep up with their rivals or face elimination. Adding to the drama is the lack of any practice time or advance scouting, as venues are revealed at the last moment.
"It's the most intense fishing I've ever experienced," said multi-time world champion Kevin VanDam. "The pressure is incredible and it basically starts as soon as the first angler catches the first fish of the day. I truly believe this is the future of professional bass fishing."
Pros joining VanDam in the inaugural event include Denny Brauer, Shaw Grigsby, Skeet Reese, Mike Iaconelli, Gary Klein and Alton Jones. The field features seven Bassmaster Classic champions and eight Bassmaster Anglers of the Year.
“Geico is extremely pleased to offer sponsorship support to Major League Fishing. Geico has a track record of supporting powersports, and we believe Major League Fishing is bringing fresh ideas and renewed energy to the traditional sport of competitive bass fishing. Major League Fishing has a tremendous future, and Geico is delighted to be part of that growth,” said Ted Ward, GEICO’s vice president of marketing.
Major League Fishing was devised in 2009 when a group of 14 anglers, led by Klein and Boyd Duckett, met to discuss the future of their sport. Together, they agreed the sport of bass fishing needed to be enhanced and that the behind-the-scenes drama and the diverse personalities of the anglers needed to be exposed.
The anglers also wanted fans to be more involved in the tournaments, as well as their lives, by bringing them "on board" during fishing times for an up-close look at how a pro angler competes during an event.