B.A.S.S., LLC
B.A.S.S., LLC is a Birmingham, Alabama-based sports media and events company founded in 1968 that operates the Bassmaster tournament ecosystem, including the Classic, Elite Series, Opens, and grassroots Nation, Kayak, College, and youth divisions, monetizing through sponsorships, memberships, entry fees, merchandise, and Fox-broadcast media rights.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1968
- HeadquartersBirmingham, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What B.A.S.S., LLC does
B.A.S.S., LLC is a privately held sports media and events company headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, that operates as the governing body for professional bass fishing in the United States. Founded by Ray Scott in 1968, the organization created the Bassmaster Classic in 1972 and has since run 56 championships, anchoring what it calls the 'Super Bowl of Bass Fishing.' Its core product is a tiered tournament ecosystem spanning the Junior/High School, College, Kayak, Nation (grassroots), Opens, Elite Qualifiers, and Elite Series circuits, culminating in the annual Classic. Each tier creates a funnel that channels amateur anglers toward the professional ranks, with more than 100 Elite pros competing annually.
The company monetizes this ecosystem through five primary revenue streams: tournament entry fees, annual memberships (including Bassmaster Magazine subscriptions and a $50 gear bundle), corporate sponsorships from a roster that includes Toyota, Bass Pro Shops, Progressive, Mercury, Yamaha, Under Armour, Monster Energy, and Whataburger, e-commerce merchandise sales via bassmaster.shop (operated in conjunction with contracted Dye Hard Fan Supply), and broadcast/media rights. The flagship Fox Television partnership produced a record 6.5 million viewers for the 2026 Classic on the Tennessee River in Knoxville, a 41% year-over-year increase. Supporting technology includes bassmaster.com, the Bassmaster TV video hub, Bassmaster LIVE multi-camera streaming, a Fantasy Fishing platform, and a network of podcasts (Livewell, TnZ, Inside Bassmaster, Mercury Mashup, HERpodcast, The Cast, and others), distributed across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, Snapchat, and email. The company employs 51–100 staff and operates under the Bassmaster master brand alongside sub-brands including BassmastHER (women's initiative), B.A.S.S. Nation (grassroots), and dedicated kayak, college, and youth series.
B.A.S.S., LLC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- B.A.S.S., LLC
- Legal name
- B.A.S.S., LLC
- Website
- https://bassmaster.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1968
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- B.A.S.S., LLC is a Birmingham, Alabama-based sports media and events company founded in 1968 that operates the Bassmaster tournament ecosystem, including the Classic, Elite Series, Opens, and grassroots Nation, Kayak, College, and youth divisions, monetizing through sponsorships, memberships, entry fees, merchandise, and Fox-broadcast media rights.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
B.A.S.S., LLC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Professional Fishing Tournament Operations
- NAICS
- Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events (7113)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Branded Content & Sponsorship Licensing (Integrations, Product Placement) (MPABANAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sports Rights Agencies & Brokers (Acquisition/Packaging) (MPABAJAH)
Keywords
Where B.A.S.S., LLC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Birmingham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
B.A.S.S., LLC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others
Revenue model
- Tournament Entry Fees: Professional and amateur anglers pay entry fees to compete in Bassmaster tournament circuits including Elite Series, Opens, and Nation events
- Membership Subscriptions: Annual memberships offering Bassmaster Magazine subscription, member discounts on gear, exclusive content access, and tournament entry benefits
- Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsors (Toyota, Progressive, Bass Pro Shops, Mercury, Yamaha, etc.) pay for branding, activations, and partnership rights across tournaments and media
- Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales through bassmaster.shop offering branded apparel, gear, and fishing equipment
- Television and Media Rights: TV broadcast deals (Fox Television) and streaming rights for tournament coverage and original programming
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | B.A.S.S. Membership |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels11 records
B.A.S.S., LLC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
B.A.S.S. organizes and operates multi-tiered competitive bass fishing tournament circuits (Classic, Elite Series, Opens, B.A.S.S. Nation, College, High School, Junior, Kayak), and produces associated media content including live streaming, video programming, podcasts, and the Bassmaster Magazine. The organization also sells annual memberships with member benefits, branded merchandise through its e-commerce store, and licenses broadcast rights to its content. Corporate sponsorships and TV/media rights form the largest revenue layer, with tournament entry fees, membership dues, and merchandise as additional streams.
Product overview
B.A.S.S., LLC operates as the governing body for professional bass fishing through a multi-tiered tournament structure. The core offerings include the Bassmaster Classic championship, the Elite Series premier circuit, and the Opens tournament pathway, supported by grassroots networks in Bassmaster Nation, collegiate, high school, and kayak divisions. The organization delivers content through Bassmaster TV/Video Hub featuring shows like Livewell, The Cast, Mercury Mashup, and TnZ Podcast, while offering membership services with Bassmaster Magazine subscriptions. Additional offerings include Fantasy Fishing, merchandise retail, and the BassmastHER women's initiative. The Bassmaster Classic is positioned as the 'Super Bowl of Bass Fishing' with the 2026 event on the Tennessee River attracting record 6.5 million TV viewers on Fox.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- BassmastHER: Women's fishing initiative and community
- B.A.S.S. Nation
- Bassmaster Classic
- Bassmaster Elite Series
- Bassmaster Opens
Products and services
- Bassmaster Elite Series The top-tier professional bass fishing circuit run by B.A.S.S., in which over 100 Elite pros compete across multiple events each season for prize money, Angler of the Year points, and qualifying spots toward the Bassmaster Classic.
- Bassmaster Classic The flagship championship of professional bass fishing, branded the 'Super Bowl of Bass Fishing,' awarding the sport's most prestigious title and the largest annual prize purse. The 2026 Classic on the Tennessee River drew 6.5 million TV viewers on Fox.
- Bassmaster Opens Open-entry tournament series offering amateur and semi-pro anglers a sanctioned pathway to qualify for the Elite Series and the Bassmaster Classic.
- Bassmaster Nation Tournaments Grassroots tournament network of state and regional bass fishing competitions that feed the B.A.S.S. national qualifying path, run through the B.A.S.S. Nation member network.
- B.A.S.S. Membership Annual subscription membership providing Bassmaster Magazine, $50 in free gear, member-only content, gear discounts, and access to member services and B.A.S.S. TV archives. Discounted tiers available for college and high school anglers.
- Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing Interactive fantasy sports platform letting fans build lineups of professional anglers and compete against each other and the tournament field across Bassmaster events.
- Bassmaster Merchandise Store Official e-commerce store (bassmaster.shop) operated in partnership with Dye Hard Fan Supply, offering Bassmaster-branded apparel, gear, and collectibles to consumers.
- Bassmaster Magazine Official Bassmaster Magazine bundled with annual membership, featuring tournament coverage, fishing instruction, gear reviews, and industry news.
- Bassmaster Kayak Series Dedicated kayak fishing tournament series within the B.A.S.S. ecosystem, providing kayak anglers a sanctioned competitive path with its own Angler of the Year standings.
- Bassmaster College Series Collegiate fishing tournament series offering college anglers sanctioned competition, scholarship opportunities, and a bridge toward the professional circuit.
- Bassmaster High School and Junior Programs Youth development programs providing high school and junior anglers entry into sanctioned competitive bass fishing as a feeder to college and professional levels.
- BassmastHER Women's Initiative Women's fishing initiative delivering workshops, mentorship, dedicated competition pathways, and original content (HERpodcast) to grow female participation in competitive bass fishing.
Quantifiable outcome
- Record 6.5 million TV viewers for 2026 Bassmaster Classic, 41% increase over previous year
Companies that use B.A.S.S., LLC
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
B.A.S.S., LLC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
B.A.S.S., LLC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.
- Bass Pro ShopsflagshipMajor sponsor presenting the Bassmaster Classic. Provides expo presence, product activations, and branding across tournaments. Host of Fan Festival event during Classic week.
- ToyotaflagshipPremier automotive sponsor with branding on Bassmaster Classic and Elite Series. Sponsorship includes vehicle prizes for champions.
- Progressive InsurancecoreInsurance sponsor with branding on Elite Series and weigh-in presentations. Multiple sponsorship activations across tournament properties.
- Mercury MarinecoreOutboard motor sponsor providing Mercury Move of the Tournament segment and technical support for tournament operations.
- YamahacoreOutboard motor sponsor with Yamaha Clip of the Day feature and Power Pay championship bonus program.
- Under ArmourflagshipApparel sponsor presenting the Bassmaster Classic. Provides performance gear for competitors and staff.
- Minn KotacoreTrolling motor sponsor with branding across tournament properties and media content.
- HumminbirdcoreFish finding electronics sponsor with technology integrations in tournament coverage.
- Ranger BoatscoreBoat manufacturer sponsor with Expo presence and competitor support programs.
- RapalacoreLure sponsor presenting the Livewell show and providing product support for tournament competitors.
- Mountain DewcoreBeverage sponsor with Elite Series naming rights including Mountain Dew Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.
- SkeetercoreBoat manufacturer sponsor with branding and product support.
- NitrominorBoat manufacturer sponsor with tournament branding presence.
- DaiwacoreTackle and reels sponsor with product placement and Classic Kickoff Party presentation.
- Old TowncoreKayak sponsor providing digital coverage for Bassmaster Kayak Series and Angler of the Year points.
- Monster EnergycoreEnergy drink sponsor hosting houseboat events and providing athlete support for Elite pros.
- Fox TelevisionflagshipBroadcast television partner for Bassmaster Classic coverage. Reached record 6.5 million viewers in 2026.
- Yokohama TirecoreTire sponsor presenting weigh-in shows for Elite events including Maxam Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River.
- WhataburgercoreRestaurant sponsor with naming rights for Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake.
- Strike KingcoreLure sponsor supporting Bassmaster College Series and providing prizes for competitors.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
B.A.S.S., LLC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentRegional players
- World Fishing Network: WFN is a North American specialty channel dedicated to fishing content, including tournament coverage and lifestyle programming. It represents an adjacent distribution platform for competitive fishing media with overlapping audience but distinct monetization economics.
Others
- Academy Sports + Outdoors: Academy is a major US sporting goods and outdoor retailer comparable to Bass Pro Shops in serving the same angler consumer. It illustrates the addressable retail ecosystem that B.A.S.S. membership and content engage, and is a potential future sponsor or commercial partner.
- Bass Pro Shops (as sponsor/retailer): Bass Pro Shops is B.A.S.S.'s flagship sponsor and host of the Classic Fan Festival, operating the largest outdoor retail ecosystem in the US. While not a competitor, it is a critical commercial counterpart and a bellwether for outdoor recreation consumer spend that affects B.A.S.S. sponsorship value.
- Fox Sports: Fox Sports is B.A.S.S.'s flagship broadcast partner for the Classic and Elite Series coverage on FS1. The economics, renewal cadence, and audience delivery of the Fox partnership directly drive B.A.S.S.'s media rights revenue and viewer reach.
- ESPN (Outdoor programming): ESPN is a major US sports broadcaster that has historically carried outdoor and fishing programming. While not currently a B.A.S.S. broadcast partner, it represents both a competitive distribution channel and a benchmark for what sports media rights are worth in the broader US market.
Emerging players
- Kayak Bass Fishing (KBF): KBF is the leading kayak-specific competitive fishing organization, overlapping with B.A.S.S.'s Bassmaster Kayak Series on participants and grassroots competitive formats. It represents the fastest-growing segment of competitive fishing and a potential disruptor to B.A.S.S.'s kayak division.
Broad incumbents
- NASCAR: NASCAR operates as a major US sports league with a comparable sponsorship-driven, broadcast-anchored business model targeting sponsors like Toyota and Monster Energy. It illustrates how a motorsport property scales flagship partnerships, TV rights, and tiered event ecosystems.
- IndyCar: IndyCar operates as a single-make open-wheel racing series with a comparable sponsorship and broadcast model, anchored by flagship events and a multi-event season. It parallels B.A.S.S.'s structure of a championship anchor (Indy 500 / Classic) plus tiered season competitions.
- PBR (Professional Bull Riders): PBR is a privately held sports league with a similar multi-tiered event structure, sponsor-heavy revenue mix, and broadcast distribution strategy. It is a useful benchmark for monetizing a niche action sport through corporate partnerships and digital content.
Direct peers
- Major League Fishing (MLF): MLF is the largest direct competitor in professional bass fishing, operating its own tournament circuits (Bass Pro Tour, Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit) and broadcasting on outdoor sports networks. Both organizations compete for the same anglers, sponsors, and broadcast distribution.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
B.A.S.S., LLC social profiles
Digital presenceB.A.S.S., LLC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
B.A.S.S., LLC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
B.A.S.S., LLC subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
B.A.S.S., LLC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
B.A.S.S., LLC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about B.A.S.S., LLC
What does B.A.S.S., LLC do?
B.A.S.S. organizes and operates multi-tiered competitive bass fishing tournament circuits (Classic, Elite Series, Opens, B.A.S.S. Nation, College, High School, Junior, Kayak), and produces associated media content including live streaming, video programming, podcasts, and the Bassmaster Magazine. The organization also sells annual memberships with member benefits, branded merchandise through its e-commerce store, and licenses broadcast rights to its content. Corporate sponsorships and TV/media rights form the largest revenue layer, with tournament entry fees, membership dues, and merchandise as additional streams.
Is B.A.S.S., LLC a public or private company?
B.A.S.S., LLC is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was B.A.S.S., LLC founded?
B.A.S.S., LLC was founded in 1968. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is B.A.S.S., LLC based?
B.A.S.S., LLC is headquartered in Birmingham, United States, in the North America region.
How does B.A.S.S., LLC make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Tournament Entry Fees are the primary driver. The others are membership Subscriptions, sponsorship Revenue, merchandise Sales and television and Media Rights.
Who are B.A.S.S., LLC's main competitors?
World Fishing Network is listed as a regional player. Others are Academy Sports + Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops (as sponsor/retailer), Fox Sports and ESPN (Outdoor programming). Kayak Bass Fishing (KBF) is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are NASCAR, IndyCar and PBR (Professional Bull Riders). Major League Fishing (MLF) is listed as a direct peer.
Does B.A.S.S., LLC have an API?
No public API is recorded for B.A.S.S., LLC.
What industry is B.A.S.S., LLC in?
B.A.S.S., LLC's product category is Professional Fishing Tournament Operations. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPABANAH, Branded Content & Sponsorship Licensing (Integrations, Product Placement), with a secondary code of MPABAJAH, Sports Rights Agencies & Brokers (Acquisition/Packaging). Its NAICS code is 711211 and its SIC code is 7997.