B.A.S.S., LLC

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.

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

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

• Professional bass fishing
• Fishing tournament circuits
• Tournament organizing services
• Outdoor sports media
• Fishing membership programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Tournament Entry Fees: Professional and amateur anglers pay entry fees to compete in Bassmaster tournament circuits including Elite Series, Opens, and Nation events
2. Membership Subscriptions: Annual memberships offering Bassmaster Magazine subscription, member discounts on gear, exclusive content access, and tournament entry benefits
3. Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsors (Toyota, Progressive, Bass Pro Shops, Mercury, Yamaha, etc.) pay for branding, activations, and partnership rights across tournaments and media
4. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales through bassmaster.shop offering branded apparel, gear, and fishing equipment
5. Television and Media Rights: TV broadcast deals (Fox Television) and streaming rights for tournament coverage and original programming

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core 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

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Bass Pro ShopsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor sponsor presenting the Bassmaster Classic. Provides expo presence, product activations, and branding across tournaments. Host of Fan Festival event during Classic week.
• ToyotaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPremier automotive sponsor with branding on Bassmaster Classic and Elite Series. Sponsorship includes vehicle prizes for champions.
• Progressive InsurancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance sponsor with branding on Elite Series and weigh-in presentations. Multiple sponsorship activations across tournament properties.
• Mercury MarinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutboard motor sponsor providing Mercury Move of the Tournament segment and technical support for tournament operations.
• YamahacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOutboard motor sponsor with Yamaha Clip of the Day feature and Power Pay championship bonus program.
• Under ArmourflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerApparel sponsor presenting the Bassmaster Classic. Provides performance gear for competitors and staff.
• Minn KotacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrolling motor sponsor with branding across tournament properties and media content.
• HumminbirdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFish finding electronics sponsor with technology integrations in tournament coverage.
• Ranger BoatscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoat manufacturer sponsor with Expo presence and competitor support programs.
• RapalacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLure sponsor presenting the Livewell show and providing product support for tournament competitors.
• Mountain DewcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeverage sponsor with Elite Series naming rights including Mountain Dew Bassmaster Elite at Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.
• SkeetercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoat manufacturer sponsor with branding and product support.
• NitrominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoat manufacturer sponsor with tournament branding presence.
• DaiwacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTackle and reels sponsor with product placement and Classic Kickoff Party presentation.
• Old TowncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKayak sponsor providing digital coverage for Bassmaster Kayak Series and Angler of the Year points.
• Monster EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnergy drink sponsor hosting houseboat events and providing athlete support for Elite pros.
• Fox TelevisionflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBroadcast television partner for Bassmaster Classic coverage. Reached record 6.5 million viewers in 2026.
• Yokohama TirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTire sponsor presenting weigh-in shows for Elite events including Maxam Bassmaster Elite at Pasquotank River.
• WhataburgercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant sponsor with naming rights for Whataburger Bassmaster Elite at Pickwick Lake.
• Strike KingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLure sponsor supporting Bassmaster College Series and providing prizes for competitors.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional 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

• Xx.com/bass_nation
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/bassnationtv
• Facebookfacebook.com/bass
• Instagraminstagram.com/bass_nation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&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