ESPN Reaches Deal In Principle To Sell BASS

ESPN is prepared to throw much of its fishing inventory back into the water after announcing a deal in principle to sell BASS LLC to a group of investors headed up by Don Logan, Jerry McKinnis and Jim Copeland. Terms of the deal, which is reportedly expected to close in September, are unknown, but the investor group will assume all of BASS’ assets, including its print and online content. ESPN will hold onto the TV rights to air the Bassmaster Elite Series and the Bassmaster Classic. While outdoor shows have aired on ESPN almost since the launch of the channel 31 years ago, the move comes less than three months after the net announces it is shifting away from the traditional Saturday morning outdoor shows to more event programming.