Bassmasters' New Leadership Seeks Smooth Transistion From ESPN Ownership

There will be a “new trio in charge” of the 42nd Bassmaster Classic that begins Friday as Jerry McKinnis, Don Logan and Jim Copeland, three businessmen “with a love of bass fishing, purchased the company in late 2010 and have since wrestled with the monumental task of changing from corporate to private ownership,” according to Jimmy Watson of the SHREVEPORT TIMES. Angler Kevin VanDam said, "One big thing is the focus of the new ownership group on the BASS brand and the business side -- the tournaments, the magazine, the Federation. ESPN was a great partner, but these guys will give it the everyday focus it deserves and they have the knowledge of the BASS brand." Angler John Crews said, "The owners listen very closely to their anglers and staff. They have made a number of changes for the better. In the long run, the new owners will be great for BASS." Decisions apparently are “being made quicker without having to move up a long chain of command, as was required under ESPN.” BASS is a “multi-tiered organization that boasts more than 500,000, mostly grassroots, members” and it sponsors a “number of fishing trails.” Logan said that his company “spent most of the past year loosening ties with ESPN and moving them under the BASS umbrella.” That meant “hiring a new CEO, sales director and finance director among others.” The company also “made the decision to move from Orlando, Fla., back to its original home in Birmingham, Ala.” Logan: "Our offices in Florida weren't centrally located to allow our staff to get where they needed to be." He added, "Last year I went to a lot of tournaments, went fishing with four or five of the anglers and hung out backstage. We listened to the anglers, to the sponsors, to members of our grassroots organization and we've been making decisions that we believe are in the best interest of the sport" (SHREVEPORT TIMES, 2/19).