Fishing League Worldwide

What Fishing League Worldwide does

Fishing League Worldwide (legal entity: Major League Fishing, d/b/a MLF) is the premier sanctioning body and media operator for competitive bass fishing in the United States, headquartered in Benton, KY. Founded in 1979, the organization runs a vertically integrated six-tier competitive pyramid spanning Abu Garcia High School Fishing, Columbia PFG College Fishing, Phoenix Bass Fishing League, Toyota Series, Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit, and the Bass Pro Tour, culminating in the REDCREST championship event and the season-long Fishing Clash Angler of the Year. Across this structure, MLF produces 150+ live events annually.

The company's core proprietary technology is SCORETRACKER® (and its consumer extension SCORETRACKER® LIVE, launched with BUBBA in 2026-07), a real-time catch-weight capture and scoring system deployed across all circuits and now extending into a connected consumer product. Supporting infrastructure includes Starlink satellite connectivity for remote data transmission, live production rigs, and the MyOutdoorTV/MLFNOW! On Demand streaming stack. MLF also operates the MLF5 sub-brand, the Fishing Clash Team Series, the Fantasy Fishing game, ShopMLF e-commerce, the Fisheries Management Division, and the MLF International expansion initiative.

MLF monetizes through a diversified stack: title and presenting sponsorship rights (Bass Pro Shops, Mercury Marine, Toyota, Tackle Warehouse as Flagship partners; Lowrance, YETI, Suzuki Marine, Plano, Yuengling, Abu Garcia, Columbia PFG, Phoenix as Core partners), television and streaming media rights (Outdoor Channel, Vice, MyOutdoorTV), tournament entry and sanctioning fees across the circuit pyramid, membership subscriptions, ShopMLF merchandise, and sweepstakes/promotional programs. Distribution spans traditional broadcast, streaming, owned-and-operated digital channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X for both MLF and MLF5), and a mobile gaming partnership with Fishing Clash/Creative Mobile that targets a non-traditional audience segment.

Name

Fishing League Worldwide

Legal name

MAJOR LEAGUE FISHING

Website

https://flwfishing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Fishing League Worldwide (Major League Fishing) is a U.S. sanctioning body and media operator running the premier professional and amateur bass fishing tournament circuits, serving professional anglers, amateur competitors, collegiate and high school teams, and fishing fans through live events, broadcast media, and proprietary real-time scoring technology.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Benton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tournament Event Operations: MLF operates multiple fishing circuits including Bass Pro Tour, Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit, Toyota Series, Phoenix Bass Fishing League, College Fishing, and High School Fishing. Revenue is generated through event entry fees, sponsorships, broadcasting rights, and merchandise sales.
2. Media Rights and Broadcasting: TV broadcasts on Outdoor Channel and Vice, plus streaming on MyOutdoorTV app. Content includes live tournament coverage, MLFNOW! On Demand, and Major League Lessons.
3. Membership Program: MLF offers membership options for anglers and fans with various tiers including access to events, content, and exclusive benefits.
4. E-commerce / Merchandise: ShopMLF.com online store selling branded merchandise, fishing gear, and tournament-related products.
5. Fantasy Fishing Platform: Interactive fantasy fishing game allowing fans to draft anglers and compete based on real tournament results.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Fishing League Worldwide (operating as Major League Fishing/MLF) runs a multi-tiered competitive bass fishing tournament ecosystem spanning professional (Bass Pro Tour, Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit), regional (Toyota Series, Phoenix Bass Fishing League), collegiate (Columbia PFG College Fishing), and high school (Abu Garcia High School Fishing) circuits. The organization produces 150+ live events annually, broadcasts content via TV and streaming platforms, sells branded merchandise, and offers the SCORETRACKER LIVE real-time scoring technology and a Fantasy Fishing game.

Product overview

MLF operates a multi-tiered competitive bass fishing ecosystem consisting of professional tournament circuits (Bass Pro Tour, Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit), pathway circuits (Toyota Series, Phoenix Bass Fishing League), team events (Fishing Clash Team Series), and entry-level circuits (College Fishing, High School Fishing). The organization produces extensive video content through MLFNOW! On Demand streaming and Major League Lessons, while its technology platforms including SCORETRACKER® and the new consumer-facing SCORETRACKER® LIVE enable real-time scoring and fan engagement. MLF complements its competitive events with the Fantasy Fishing game, Angler Columns editorial content, and conservation initiatives through its Fisheries Management Division, creating an integrated entertainment and sports media platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MLF5: Second-tier competitive bass fishing circuit operated by Major League Fishing, featuring separate Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube social media presence.

Products and services

• Bass Pro Tour MLF's premier professional bass fishing circuit featuring top anglers competing in real-time SCORETRACKER scoring format with daily weigh-ins and championships.
• Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Professional-level tournament circuit offering paths to the Bass Pro Tour, featuring stop events and championship competitions.
• Toyota Series Pathway-level tournament series providing anglers with opportunities to advance to higher-tier circuits.
• Phoenix Bass Fishing League (BFL) Regional tournament circuit offering local and divisional competitions for anglers of all skill levels.
• Fishing Clash Team Series Team-based competitive fishing circuit featuring challenge cup elimination matches and team competition formats.
• Columbia PFG College Fishing College-level fishing circuit for university teams and student anglers.
• Abu Garcia High School Fishing High school fishing circuit introducing young anglers to competitive bass fishing.
• REDCREST MLF's flagship championship event featuring the top anglers competing for the ultimate title in bass fishing.
• MLFNOW! On Demand MLF's on-demand video streaming platform offering full event coverage, weigh-ins, and fishing content.
• Fantasy Fishing Interactive fantasy fishing game allowing fans to draft anglers and compete based on real tournament results.
• MLF Membership Program Membership options for anglers and fans with multiple tiers offering access to events, content, and exclusive benefits, billed annually.
• ShopMLF.com Merchandise Direct e-commerce storefront for branded MLF merchandise and fishing-related products.
• ICAST Cup Annual fishing industry trade show and competition event combining trade exhibition with competitive fishing.
• SCORETRACKER LIVE (Consumer) Consumer-facing version of MLF's proprietary real-time scoring technology that enables fans to track tournament weights and scores live during competitions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 150+ live events annually across professional, collegiate, and high school circuits

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Bass Pro ShopsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBass Pro Shops is a major sponsor and presenter of REDCREST, MLF's championship event. The partnership includes title sponsorship of major events and co-branded content.
• Mercury MarineflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerMercury Marine is title sponsor of multiple Bass Pro Tour stages and presenter of REDCREST. Provides propulsion systems for tournament operations.
• LowrancecoreTechnology or IntegrationLowrance provides electronics and sonar technology integrated into tournament coverage. Title sponsor of Stage 2 events.
• YETIcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerYETI provides coolers and equipment for tournament operations and event presentation. Co-presenter of multiple Bass Pro Tour events.
• Suzuki MarinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSuzuki Marine sponsors Stage 4 of the Bass Pro Tour with title presentation rights.
• PlanocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlano provides tackle storage solutions and is title sponsor of tournament stages.
• ToyotaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerToyota sponsors the Toyota Series circuit and provides Toyota Bonus Bucks program for angler earnings. Major supporter of collegiate fishing.
• YuenglingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerYuengling Light Lager is presenting sponsor of Bass Pro Tour Stage 5 events.
• Outdoor ChannelflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary television broadcast partner for MLF tournament coverage, airing live events and replays.
• MyOutdoorTVcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStreaming platform partner for MLF content distribution, offering on-demand and live event streaming.
• Vice MediacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlternative television broadcast partner airing tournament coverage and related programming.
• Tackle WarehouseflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTitle sponsor of the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit and Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, the premier mid-tier professional fishing circuit.
• Fishing ClashcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMobile fishing game partnership including Angler of the Year title sponsorship and Team Series branding. Cross-promotional engagement with gaming audience.
• StarlinkcoreTechnology or IntegrationStarlink satellite internet deployed to support real-time data transmission for 150+ live events, enabling remote tournament coverage.
• BUBBAcoreTechnology or IntegrationBUBBA partnered with MLF to officially launch SCORETRACKER LIVE for consumers, expanding the technology into a connected fishing ecosystem.
• Abu GarciacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor of Abu Garcia High School Fishing program, supporting youth fishing development.
• Columbia Sportswear (PFG)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor of Columbia PFG College Fishing circuit, supporting collegiate angler development.
• Phoenix (Bass Fishing League)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor of the Phoenix Bass Fishing League regional amateur circuit.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• World Surf League: World Surf League is a niche action-sports league that runs a global tour of live events with TV/streaming distribution, title sponsors, athlete ranking systems, and consumer content brands. Its business model (event circuit + media rights + sponsor ecosystem) closely mirrors MLF's structure within a different outdoor sport.
• Professional Anglers Association: The Professional Anglers Association is a membership organization representing professional tournament anglers, with overlapping constituency and advocacy goals. Comparable to MLF in that both serve the same professional bass angler population, though PAA is membership-driven rather than event-circuit-driven.
• B.A.S.S. (Bass Anglers Sportsman Society): B.A.S.S. is the closest direct competitor, organizing the Bassmaster tournament trail, Bassmaster Classic championship, and Elite Series. Both organizations run professional bass fishing circuits with TV distribution, sponsor-driven economics, and multi-tiered angler progression — competing for the same pool of anglers, fans, and marine/outdoor advertisers.
• Ten Square Games (Fishing Clash): Ten Square Games develops and publishes Fishing Clash, the mobile fishing game that is an MLF commercial partner. Comparable as the consumer-facing fishing brand interacting with the same audience segment, and a current partner/co-branded property of MLF.

Others

• Bass Pro Shops: Bass Pro Shops is the largest U.S. outdoor recreation retailer and a flagship MLF title sponsor (REDCREST, Bass Pro Tour). Comparable as the dominant fishing tackle/outdoor retail partner that anchors MLF sponsorship economics and shares the same core angler customer base.

Broad incumbents

• DraftKings: DraftKings operates a fantasy sports platform across multiple sports and runs adjacent sports media/content businesses. Comparable to MLF's Fantasy Fishing product in category, monetization mechanics (entry fees, freemium), and the role of real-event data as the underlying engagement driver.
• Premier Lacrosse League: Premier Lacrosse League operates a touring professional sports league with TV/streaming distribution, multi-team ownership, and sponsorship-led economics. Comparable to MLF as a similarly sized niche pro sports league built around live events, media rights, and sponsor inventory rather than a traditional home-market franchise model.
• Outdoor Sportsman Group: Outdoor Sportsman Group is a multi-channel media company producing content across TV networks (including Outdoor Channel) and digital platforms serving hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Comparable as the media owner/distributor whose properties carry MLF broadcasts and share the same advertising and audience base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FLWFishing
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQF_5AVYaUcnRFJ_UmMgKTw
• Facebookfacebook.com/FLWFishing
• Instagraminstagram.com/majorleaguefishingofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flwfishing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Fishing League Worldwide