MINNEAPOLIS (Oct. 20, 2004) — Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors, the premier fishing organization in the world, is once again elevating America’s awareness of sport fishing by partnering with Fox Sports Net (FSN) to bring Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors television coverage to millions of outdoor fans around the country every week. “Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors” will feature 52 one-hour shows packed with tournament coverage, guest appearances by fishing legends and celebrities, angler profiles, and the most up-to-date news from the professional-fishing world.
“Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors” will air Sunday mornings on FSN regional sports networks nationally. FSN’s media expertise combined with Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors’ high-profile professional-fishing tournaments will form the most powerful sports-marketing partnership the world of fishing has ever seen.
The relationship between Fox and FLW began in November 1999, when Fox Sports Networks Chairman David Hill and FLW Outdoors Chairman Irwin Jacobs’ shared vision for the first-ever live network broadcast of a bass-fishing tournament became a reality with the Ranger M1 Millennium tournament. Millions of viewers tuned in to watch the Sunday afternoon broadcast as a professional angler walked away with $600,000. The first-of-its-kind event remains the richest and most-watched freshwater tournament in sport-fishing history.
Hill said: “FSN is committed to revolutionizing television coverage of competitive angling and solidifying our network together with FLW Outdoors as the premier players in the market. We’re eager to implement the drama, excitement and real sense of competition that drives professional fishing, and we plan to promote Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors aggressively on FSN regional sports networks across the country.”
Jacobs said: “Our relationship with FSN will further drive the sport of professional angling into the national spotlight. FSN ensures greater visibility and awareness of professional angling and the outdoors for our sponsors, our participants and spectators. Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors will be celebrating its first 10-year milestone in 2005 and welcomes our media partnership with FSN to assist in bringing competitive angling to a whole new level.”
Jacobs further said: “We’ve dreamt about this for several years, and the timing is right to bring 55 million anglers and their families the highest-quality fishing shows ever seen on television.”
Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors is the nation’s premier provider of sport-fishing tournaments. It owns and operates 214 freshwater and saltwater tournaments, giving away over $30 million in cash. Spread across eight circuits, these tournaments include the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, the world’s most lucrative bass-fishing tournament series; the EverStart Series, known as the gateway to the Wal-Mart FLW Tour; the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League for weekend anglers; the Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail; the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Tour, the world’s most lucrative walleye-fishing circuit; the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye League for weekend anglers; the Wal-Mart FLW Kingfish Tour, the world’s highest-paying kingfish series; and the Wal-Mart FLW Redfish Series.
Wal-Mart and many of America’s largest and most respected companies support FLW Outdoors and its tournament trails. More information about Wal-Mart FLW Outdoors and its sponsors can be found at FLWOutdoors.com.
FSN reaches more than 82 million homes through its network of 20 regional sports channels. FSN, based in Los Angeles, serves as the cable-television home to 60 of the 81 MLB, NHL and NBA teams based in the United States and produces over 4,500 live events each year. In addition to home-team games, FSN telecasts a wide variety of national sports events and programming, including Best Damn Sports Show Period, I, Max and Beyond the Glory. For the latest up-to-the-minute sports news and opinions, visit the FOX Sports/FSN website at www.FoxSports.com.
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