Springfield-based outdoor retailer Bass Pro Shops has thrown its support behind a worldwide fishing tournament in Key West, Fla.
The World Fishing Tour-sanctioned event, dubbed the World Sailfish Championship presented by Bass Pro Shops, is scheduled April 17-21. More than 70 teams are expected to compete in this year's event, which NBC Sports is planning to film, according to a tournament news release.
Katy Newton, event manager for the World Fishing Tour, said the championship does not typically have a title sponsor, but with this year being its 10th anniversary, officials felt it would be good to add a well-known outdoor retailer to the event. She declined to disclose the cost for sponsorship rights.
As part of its sponsorship, Bass Pro will give away a trip to Key West to a Bass Pro customer. The trip will include a chance to fish with Team Bass Pro Shops during the tournament and win a share of the $100,000 guaranteed purse.
“We could not have hoped for a better partner to be the title sponsor of the World Sailfish Championship than Bass Pro Shops,” said Christopher King, chairman and founder of the World Fishing Tour, in the release. “With our 10th year upon us, this is a perfect alignment between the world’s most high-profile fishing tournament and the world leader in outdoor sports equipment."
During the tournament's nine years in operation, it has raised more than $2 million for causes such as the Don Shula Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, Camp Boggy Creek, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and the Rotary Club of Key West.
“All of us at Bass Pro Shops are honored to be the presenting sponsor of this outstanding tournament that raises so much money for various charities,” Bass Pro founder Johnny Morris said in the release. “This is also an opportunity to get great exposure for our Offshore Angler brand of merchandise to these avid fishermen.”
Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Bench will serve as the tournament's honorary chairman. The event's amenities include F-18 military flyovers, parties and fireworks displays, according to the release.
According to the Bass Pro
Web site, the retailer operates five locations in Florida - Dania Beach, Islamorada, Fort Myers, Miami and Orlando.
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