BASS RETURNS TO THE BIG EASY

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, present today at a media luncheon for the 2008 Bassmaster Classic in Greenville, South Carolina, announced the upcoming return of the championship event to New Orleans in 2011. Bayou Segnette will once again serve as the launch site for what many refer to as the Super Bowl of fishing. The New Orleans Arena will host ESPN's national broadcast of the weigh in ceremonies, with its increasingly popular fanfare and elaborate production elements. Simultaneously, Bass will open the doors to the adjacent Louisiana Superdome for the 150,000 plus square foot Outdoors Expo. All events will be free to the public, and the entire weekend is expected to bring an economic impact in excess of 20 million dollars, coupled with the significant national media exposure that BASS and ESPN bring to the event.

Sam Joffray, Vice President of Communications for GNOSF, was on hand for the announcement, "New Orleans has a long standing reputation as a favorite destination city for major sporting events, and the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation has a rich history of hosting these events. Add to that the popularity of Louisiana as an outdoor destination, and our proven relationship with the Classic, and this is the perfect recipe for success." Joffray added, "The configuration of the Superdome and Arena prove to be just as exciting for the fans and visitors as the natural resources of the Louisiana Delta will be for the anglers. ESPN/BAS will bring a thrilling event to our city while delivering our Sportsman's Paradise image and our wetlands conservation message back out to the nation. We couldn't ask for a better partnership."

The Classic has previously been held in New Orleans in 1999,2001, and 2003. Traditionally a summer event, ESPN/BASS officials rescheduled the event in 2006 to be held annually in February, a more advantageous time of the year for both broadcast and tournament schedules. The GNOSF, with the support of the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation, and Tourism have been working with BASS for the past 2 years, and today's announcement reflects the success of that effort. "We're excited to welcome the Bassmaster Classic back to New Orleans," said Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu.  "Louisiana has long been known as the Sportsman's Paradise, and Bayou Segnette State Park is the perfect place to launch the tournament.  We invite all to enjoy Louisiana's natural beauty, its great fishing, and our unique cultural heritage."

In 2006, the GNOSF started the competitive bid process to attract the event back to the New Orleans area. Jay Cicero, President and CEO of the GNOSF, praised the decision, "Since Hurricane Katrina, our event partners have played a key role in spearheading the GNOSF's recovery efforts and ongoing mission. When exploring what they could best do to help our efforts, ESPN/BASS joined an impressive list of major event organizers, (including the NFL, NCAA, and most recently the NBA), who recognized that investing in our region through the awarding of their events is the single most important contribution they can make."

The awarding of Bass's marquee event is not only a testimony to the recovery of New Orleans, it is a reminder that Louisiana remains a premier outdoor destination. Serving as proof of the rich resources that all of Louisiana has to offer, Bass additionally announced that Shreveport, LA will host the 2009 Classic, setting the stage for the State to host the event twice in a three year span.  Kevin Gaubert, President of Louisiana Bass Federation was also hand for the announcements in Greenville, "We are delighted to have the classic back in our state. The Red River and Louisiana Delta are well known for their great fishery. We have endless bodies of water and appeal to many different styles of fishing. While Shreveport has been a frequent stop for the Bassmaster tournament trail, the Delta has already proven itself by hosting 3 previous Classics that  produced huge creel limits and brought thousands of visitors to the Crescent City. With good fishing, good food, and good times, the anglers are in for another great event in New Orleans."

Media Contacts:
Sam Joffray, Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, 504-234-3207, sjoffray@gnosf.org
Doug Grassian, ESPN/BASS, 407-566-2216, doug.grassian@espn.com