Mercury Renews B.A.S.S. Partnership

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Mercury Marine is onboard with B.A.S.S. again for the 2014 competition season at the highest level of sponsorship.

Mercury is a Premier Sponsor of the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens presented by Allstate, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, B.A.S.S. Nation events, the new Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the Bassmaster Classic.

“B.A.S.S. and Mercury have one of those enduring relationships that just gets better every year,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S., owner of the Bassmaster circuits. “We place a very high value on our longtime partnership and look forward to continuing our joint efforts to further grow the sport of bass fishing.”

Mercury has been a sponsor of Bassmaster events for almost two decades.

“We’re very pleased to continue our sponsorship with B.A.S.S.,” said Mark Schwabero, president of Mercury Marine, “not only because we understand and support the powerful relationship between the people of this country and fishing, but perhaps even more so because nothing better defines the relevance of speed on the water than a Mercury engine on a bass boat. That is the essence of tournament fishing.”

As it has for years, Mercury will offer activities for fans at 2014 Bassmaster Elite Series events. One activity is the Mercury ProXS Demo Tour, free rides in new bass boats powered by Mercury ProXS engines. Riders ages 14 and up can sign up for a spin on the same water as the Elite competition.

Fans’ first opportunity to experience the ProXS Demo Tour at a 2014 Elite Series event will be in Bainbridge, Ga., at the March 13-16 Dick Cepek Tires Bassmaster Elite at Lake Seminole presented by Hardee’s.

Mercury also will continue to have a strong presence within B.A.S.S.’ extensive TV, digital and print media platforms, which includes The Bassmasters TV show, Bassmaster.com, and Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times magazines.

Headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wis., Mercury Marine is a division of Brunswick Corp. Founded in 1939, Mercury is celebrating its 75th year in 2014. Long recognized as a leader in marine propulsion, Mercury recently was named the 2013 Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year, an award Mercury also won in 2006. Mercury Marine took top honors in the category that recognizes companies with more than 750 employees. Mercury employs 5,400 people worldwide, with 3,100 employees in Wisconsin.

Mercury sponsors many Bassmaster Elite Series pros, including Randy Howell, who became the 44th Bassmaster Classic champion on Feb. 23.

About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S. is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the 500,000-member organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), television show (The Bassmasters on ESPN2), social media programs and events. For more than 45 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series presented by Allstate, B.A.S.S. Nation events, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Bassmaster High School Series, Toyota Bonus Bucks Bassmaster Team Championship and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by Diet Mountain Dew and GoPro.