Chevy Trucks revs up for renewal of FLW Outdoors sponsorship
MINNEAPOLIS – Chevy Trucks will continue its commitment to professional fishing with the renewal of its long-standing partnership with FLW Outdoors. Chevy has been part of the FLW sponsorship team since 1985, helping to catapult competitive fishing into the sports-marketing spotlight.
Chevy recognized very early on the value of sponsoring a sport with 55 million participants. With the support of corporate sponsors like Chevy, professional fishing has exploded; the FLW Tour continues to grow with the largest purse in history set for the 2003 season. FLW Outdoors recently announced a $5.76 million purse for 2003 – up from $5.1 million in 2002 – with no end in sight for the growth potential.
Tom Suman of Chevy Trucks said: “We have been a sponsor of professional fishing for over 20 years and FLW Outdoors for 17. There is no doubt that Americans love competitive fishing, given the continued growth of the sport over the years. Our trucks are built for everyday life, whether it is going on a family outing or hauling a boat to a favorite fishing hole. FLW Outdoors is really a perfect fit for us.”
Chevy trucks have been transporting bass boats for years on the tournament trail. For the 2003 season, Chevy trucks will be the official truck of the FLW Tour. The vehicles are fully loaded with tow packages and are NASCAR-like, emblazoned with the logos of corporate sponsors.
Members of the 2003 Chevy Trucks Pro Staff include anglers Jimmy Houston of Cookson, Okla.; Tommy Biffle of Wagoner, Okla.; David Fritts of Lexington, N.C.; Tom Mann Jr. of Buford, Ga.; Larry Nixon of Bee Branch, Ark.; Kim Stricker of Howell, Mich.; Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, Mich and Jay Yelas of Tyler, Texas. These pro anglers are available to fans during Chevy Pro Nights held at local Chevy dealers in conjunction with Wal-Mart FLW Tour events.
The contract ensures that Chevy Trucks will be a visible sponsor of FLW Outdoors’ tournaments including the Wal-Mart FLW Tour, the world’s most lucrative bass-tournament series; the EverStart Series, the pathway to the Wal-Mart FLW Tour; the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit, the world’s most lucrative walleye-tournament series; the Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League for weekend anglers and the Wal-Mart Texas Tournament Trail.
As a sponsor, Chevy Trucks will be featured in a variety of media formats maintained by FLW Outdoors. Chevy trucks will appear on the 2003 “FLW Outdoors” television program, which premieres Saturday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. EST and features Nixon as a segment host. “FLW Outdoors” is broadcast to 55 million Outdoor Life Network subscribers. Chevy products will also be publicized through FLW Outdoors Magazine advertisements, prominence on FLWOutdoors.com, participation in the FLW Tour Family Fun Zone, signage at tournaments, angler-award programs, and inclusion in promotional and public relations materials.
“Chevy is one of our core sponsors that has helped propel professional fishing into the national sport that it is today,” said Irwin L. Jacobs, FLW Outdoors chairman. “Chevy was one of the first nonendemic sponsors to see the value professional tournament fishing has to offer. FLW is proud of the support Chevy has provided, and we look forward to working with them to take tournament fishing to the next level.”
Wal-Mart serves as the title sponsor of FLW Outdoors as it has since 1997. For a complete list of FLW Outdoors sponsors and more information about them, please browse this Web site.
For more information about Chevy Trucks, visit www.chevrolet.com or call (800) 222-1020.