FLW Outdoors and The Bass Federation announced Wednesday a renewed long-term partnership that will continue to provide a vibrant future for TBF chapters and members worldwide. Terms of the multi-year agreement were not released.
“The FLW Outdoors and TBF partnership is a perfect fit,” said Robert Cartlidge, President and CEO of The Bass Federation. “TBF has never had a partner that lined up so well with our core values or rolled up their sleeves and joined us in supporting the fishing industry like FLW Outdoors. For both organizations this is not just about the bottom line. It is about fishing. As TBF and FLW Outdoors have worked closely over the last few years, we have learned from each other and benefited each other. This extended partnership will better serve both TBF and FLW Outdoors well into the future and presents TBF with more opportunities than ever before.”
Under the new agreement, the TBF National Championship presented by the National Guard will continue to be nationally televised and held in conjunction with a FLW Tour event, and the National Guard TBF Junior World Championship will continue to be held in conjunction with the Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing. TBF members will also continue to receive priority entry into all FLW Outdoors tournaments.
Additionally, 14 TBF anglers (seven boaters and seven co-anglers) will advance to the BFL All-American presented by Chevy from the TBF National Championship. The TBF National Champion boater and co-angler will also advance to the Forrest Wood Cup, and the boater champion will continue to receive the life-changing “Living the Dream” opportunity to fish as an FLW Tour pro using a TBF-wrapped Ranger boat and Chevy tow vehicle without paying a single entry fee. Previous “Living the Dream” winners include Brian Travis of Conover, N.C., and Robert Harkness of Elizabeth, W.Va.
“We could not be more excited to extend our TBF partnership,” said Charlie Evans, President and CEO of FLW Outdoors. “The partnership has provided countless youth and conservation opportunities. As a founding member of the Berea Bass Busters in Berea, Ky., I share the passion and vision for tomorrow that embodies The Bass Federation.”
The Bass Federation Inc. is owned by those whom they serve and is dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided a foundation for the bass fishing industry for more than 30 years.
