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Dick’s Sporting Goods gives boost to tournament bass fishing

 Oct 12th, 2016 by OutdoorsFIRST 

Modified Oct 12th, 2016 at 12:00 AM

Dick’s Sporting Goods has agreed a three-year partnership with B.A.S.S. that includes sponsorship of the Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo and the Bassmaster High School programme.

The Classic Outdoors Expo has grown rapidly in stature in the fishing events sector in recent times, averaging an attendance of 102,000 over the past five years.

Scheduled for March 24 – 26 in Houston, Texas, next year’s Expo will cover more than 300,000 square feet of the George R. Brown Convention Center, the largest show in Bassmaster Classic history.

The 2017 Classic will be Dick’s ninth consecutive year as a sponsor of the Outdoors Expo, which is held annually during the world’s richest fishing competition in March.

“The Classic Outdoors Expo continues to grow in popularity and importance to the sportfishing community each year and we’re grateful to Dick’s continued support,” said Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S. “We are also extremely pleased that Dick’s has stepped up to support high school fishing, which we see as vital to the future of the sport.”

Dick’s expanded reach into high school fishing includes the Bassmaster High School programme, including the Costa Bassmaster High School Series and the Bassmaster High School All-American programme.

“High school fishing is fast-growing and something we are glad to be part of,” said Dick’s Director of Sports and Event Marketing, Dave Natale.

More than 6,000 high school anglers have joined the B.A.S.S. High School programme and 520 clubs throughout the US competed in the Costa series in 2016. More than $100,000 was awarded in scholarship money.