Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc.'s Busch brand has become the 'official beer of
B.A.S.S.,' the world's largest fishing organization.
In an announcement made Wednesday by the brewer, B.A.S.S. and its parent,
ESPN, the parties said this is a multiyear deal whereby Busch beer will also
become the presenting sponsor of the 2003 Citgo Bassmasters Classic, the Citgo
Bassmaster Tournament Trial, the Citgo B.A.S.S. Federation Championship and a
weekly series on ESPN2.
The B.A.S.S. Federation arm of B.A.S.S. sanctions more than 20,000 fishing
tourneys worldwide. B.A.S.S. itself has 600,000 members.
As part of its sponsorship next year, Busch will also introduce the 'Busch
B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year,' a program designed to award bonus money to the top
10 anglers in the points standings at each season's end. The Angler of the Year
alone will be given $100,000.
B.A.S.S., a subsidiary of ESPN, also publishes Bassmaster magazine and
produces outdoors programming for ESPN and ESPN2.
