ESPN Outdoors Great Angler Debate

Who is the 'Greatest Bass Angler'?

A debate that promises to spark plenty of discussion

By BASS Times Staff Report

BASS Times, Sept. 2004

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In celebration of the history, heritage and future of professional bass fishing, ESPN Outdoors and BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing today, announced plans for The Greatest Angler Debate — an exciting program that will ultimately reveal the fan-elected greatest angler of all time in ceremonies at the 2005 CITGO Bassmaster Classic presented by Busch Beer.

"The Greatest Angler Debate is one of the largest initiatives in the history of BASS," said Dean Kessel, vice president and general manager, BASS, who presided over the announcement during festivities surrounding the 2004 Classic.

"This historic program is designed to grow interest for and awareness of the sport of bass fishing, while answering the eternal question: Who's No. 1?"

The debate will include an ambitious mix of multimedia platforms, including online fan voting, telecasts that profile and debate the Top 10 anglers, promotions across ESPN Outdoors and BASS properties and the grand finale at the 2005 Classic in Pittsburgh, the host site of next year's world championship.

The announcement began with the BASS-selected list of 35 of the greatest anglers ever, based on competitive fishing performance. Among the judging criteria were Classic championship and tournament wins, BASS Angler-of-the-Year titles, along with FLW championship and tournament wins.

Over the next year, The Greatest Angler Debate promises to generate much discussion and excitement among the millions of bass fans across the country. In January, BASS will announce the Top 10 anglers, as chosen by a blue-ribbon panel of outdoor writers and journalists who cover the sport. Then in February and March, fans will cast their votes for the Top 10. To drive the debate and voting, a tremendous amount of promotional resources across ESPN Outdoors and BASS will be devoted to the program. Voting will take place at www.bassmaster.com and other platforms to be announced next year.

Next, from April through July, The Greatest Angler Debate programming will air on the ESPN Outdoors Block each weekend, including biographical shows on the Top 10 anglers, as well as debate programs featuring fans, media and pro anglers. Fans will be able to access stats and stories in Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times, on bassmaster.com and the weekly ESPN Outdoors radio show.

In June and July, the debate will heat up as fans decide between the top two anglers during a second round of voting at www.bass master.com and other platforms to be announced next year.

Finally, on July 31, 2005, the final day of the 35th CITGO Bassmaster Classic presented by Busch Beer in Pittsburgh, the Greatest Angler will be announced at the final weigh-in, in a ceremony that will celebrate all 35 "greats," one for each BASS anniversary.