Skeeter Boats, Yamaha to sponsor Major League Fishing events
Skeeter Boats announced that the company is an official boat sponsor of the all-new Major League Fishing (MLF) Bass Pro Tour and Bass Pro Championship. Nine professional anglers will run Skeeter boats during the 53 episodes airing on Discovery Channel, Sportsman Channel, CBS, and CBS Sports. All episodes are also available on-demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV).
“We are excited to be a part of this new professional bass tournament format,” said Jeff Stone, Senior Vice President, Skeeter Boats. “We wish our Skeeter pros the best of luck as they compete this season and we are proud to broaden our support of competitive fishing.”
Founded in 2011, MLF’s 80-angler Bass Pro Tour field is comprised of Bassmaster Classic champions, FLW Forrest Wood Cup winners, Anglers of the Year, and top tour performers in competitive bass fishing. The 2019 Bass Pro Tour season opened Jan. 29 in Kissimmee, Fla., and concludes with a championship event in August. Each Bass Pro Tour event will result in a two-hour television show that will air on Discovery Channel in the fourth quarter of 2019, and then repeat on Sportsman Channel in first and second quarters of 2020.
“The Skeeter brand is a favorite of many anglers, and we’re happy to have the company on board as an official boat sponsor,” said Jim Wilburn, President and CEO of Major League Fishing. “It’s going to be a tremendous season. We look forward to great competition from the Skeeter pro anglers.”
Yamaha also announced that it has joined Major League Fishing as an official outboard sponsor of the 2019 Bass Pro Tour, Bass Pro Tour Championship and MLF NOW!’s live streaming broadcast, which will feature more than 350 hours of coverage. In addition, Yamaha V MAX SHO outboards will power 19 professional angler boats during 53 episodes aired on Discovery Channel, Sportsman Channel, CBS and CBS Sports. All episodes are also available on-demand on MyOutdoorTV (MOTV).
“The professional fishing industry and tournament structure continues to evolve as the sport grows,” said David Ittner, Manager, Tournament, Sponsorship and Pro Staff for the Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “Yamaha will support our pro team members competing during the 2019 MLF season. We are excited for the additional exposure through the MLF broadcast.”
The 2019 Bass Pro Tour season opened Jan. 29 in Kissimmee, Fla., and concludes with a championship event in August. Each Bass Pro Tour event will result in a two-hour television show that will air on Sportsman Channel in the fourth quarter of 2019, and will repeat in the first and second quarters of 2020.
“We’re thrilled to announce this support from Yamaha, one of the most dependable and well-known brands on the water,” said Willburn. “To have Yamaha’s involvement in the Bass Pro Tour is tremendous. The brand will be well represented during the competitions, as a fourth of the field will run Yamaha power. We’re happy to have them on board for 2019.”
It’s great that Skeeter is staying involved with the Pro. circuits. But myself and plenty of others feel that Skeeter has really dropped the ball when it comes to taking care of their loyal grass roots Tournament anglers (The guys buying all the boats). The changes made in the Real Money Program for the 2020 season are disheartening to say the least. By taking away the $500.00 bottom end of the program Skeeter has made it harder to sell a used Skeeter. An owner needs to sell his old boat before he can buy a new one. I realize that $500.00 is not much money but it helps. A prospective buyer is more apt to buy a boat that is still relevant in a contingency program than one that is not. I am a long time Skeeter owner but this move has made me question my next boat purchase. I sure wish Skeeter would reconsider this decision.