Recently ran across the original press release announcing Irwin Jacobs’ purchase of Operation Bass – which, for you youngsters, operated the Red Man series, now the BFLs. That was in 1996, and in the release is this line:
In 1996, Operation Bass joined with Genmar Holdings Inc. [Irwin’s holding company] and JM Associates [Jerry McKinnis’ company, now part of B.A.S.S.] to introduce the innovative FLW Tour, a series of made-for-television, pro-am bass fishing tournaments which will air in prime time on ESPN2….
Then Irwin was quoted as saying:
“We believe that under our television format…we will be able to do for the professional and amateur fishermen and women…what televised coverage did for competitive tennis and golf when those sports were brought to the public through television.”
Any of that sound familiar? As in ESPN and Mountain Lion Foundation familiar? (Possibly other examples I’m forgetting….)
Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Far from it. As I’ve pointed out to folks in other sides (non-bass) of the outdoor biz, one thing that keeps bassin’ so vibrant is constant innovation. But my money’s on these things collectively moving our collective big bassin’ boat forward rather than individually causing a huge change.
Don’t much care if I’m right, just one of the great things about watchin’ the bassin’ parade go by…which for some reason reminds me of this tune (except for the chorus), back when rock was rock:
6 Comments
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Chad Keogh
December 28, 2011 at 11:16 am
I guess it’s human nature to think that what they are about to do will “change the world”. Maybe one day one of them will be right…
Awesome ZZ Top…
Chad
Rich Arnold
December 28, 2011 at 3:05 pm
ZZ Top Rules! 80’s rock all the way! That’s what changed the world! Ha Ha Ha….I am being just a little over the top, but I do love ZZ Top. Thanks for that Jay!
admin (mostly Jay)
December 29, 2011 at 5:55 pm
Glad you dig it Rich!
Flip 'N' Pitch
December 29, 2011 at 2:48 am
Don’t make me ZZ! Some folks don’t like it when I’m ZZ! I can feel another “Rototail Limerick” comin’ on!
Chance C.
December 29, 2011 at 10:28 am
Yes sounds very familiar……..
“The anglers and Outdoor Channel, independently, had similar ideas and a likeminded goal of televising competitive bass fishing at its highest level in a new and compelling format. The new made-for-television tournament series had to be more exciting, more dramatic and highlight the fierce competition found in professional bass fishing.”
Major League Fishing
🙂
Tim
December 29, 2011 at 5:49 pm
I too sipped the Irwin Jacobs Kool-Aid and for a while and saw all of the beautiful colors…just glad I didn’t drink as much as most did! Hopefully the damage he did to the sport, taught those coming afterwards a good lesson. I agree with Chad, hopefully someone will get it right.