The Biggest Gamble in Bass Fishing History

I'm going to put you on the spot with this question right out of the gate.

What happens to professional bass fishing in your mind if this event succeeds?

I think it changes it for the good.

I think it brings more perspective to bass fishing.

I think it brings more people, it teaches them more about the bass fishing world long term about how it works, how the tournament world works.

I think it potentially, if it works and does good and the other two leads can see the benefit of it, I think it brings the fishing organizations together more than against each other and can see a way for all of us to work together for the better, the good of the sport.

to make it better for everybody, the spectator, the everyday fishermen that's out there fishing, everyday tournaments, plus the pros, the professionals, the guys, the young kids, the older guys that have been doing it for a long time that want to make this their way of making a living, right? Potentially, it changes that game as well.

Hopefully it brings more non-endemic sponsors into the game.

And it just brings all type of notoriety to the sport for the better.

And I believe it crowns a true world champion as well.

And there could be a lot less debate on who the best angler.

It changes every year, right? And that's the goal is to keep having it every year.

We have a World Cup that we want to pass back and forth to whatever organization that winner came out of.

you know, let them take that World Cup home with them and let their organization carry it around with them for bragging rights for a year and carry it back for the next year.

So, I mean, I think it just brings so much more to the sport long term that is needed, in my opinion.

Brian, you hit on some key points that definitely framed your definition of success as far as the event goes.

Based on what you just said, what is the most important thing for you to measure this tournament as a success?

I would love to be able to unite the sport, to see the two sides come together to work as one for what is best for the angler, for their businesses.

I understand their businesses if they run, right? And they all have a business to run and to be profitable.

But I think if the sport could unite and find a way to get behind in unifying world champion, I think sponsorships would grow.

I think non-endemics would grow.

Simplicity of the sport would grow.

It's very confusing right now if you don't understand this sport.

And I have a hard time explaining it to the non-endemic person, the fan that doesn't watch it every day.

It's a confusing sport.