TV Schedule for Classic Coverage 

July 31, 2001

BASS MASTERS CLASSIC ON ESPN2 AUG. 2-4
PRODUCER THORNTON AND DEFENDING CHAMP DAVES SAY FISHING'S BIGGEST EVENT DESERVES FIRST-EVER SAME-DAY COVERAGE

         This Thursday to Saturday, ESPN2 will televise the first-ever same-day coverage of bass fishing's biggest event, the BASS Masters Classic from New Orleans.  Coordinating producer Tina Thornton, fresh off overseeing the extensive production of the ESPN Great Outdoor Games, and defending champion Woo Daves offer the following thoughts on the event.

COORDINATING PRODUCER TINA THORNTON:

"The BASS Masters Classic, and its many fans, deserves more than a one-hour taped highlight show aired two weeks after the event.  Our goal is to give viewers more information than they have ever received on a nightly basis.  Think of it as fishing's version of our NFL 2Night.  We are very excited to take on this new project, like ESPN has done so many times, and apply our creative energies to it.  We'll have eight cameras following the action in the Louisiana Delta, with nine more covering the climactic final weigh-in at the Superdome on Saturday."

DEFENDING CHAMPION WOO DAVES

"All the competitors are really excited about ESPN and what it can do for fishermen and what it can do for B.A.S.S.  Winning last year in my 14th try, and being the oldest pro at 54 to do so, was great.  It's been quite a ride that went by too quickly.  I was besieged with business opportunities, media inquiries, endorsement and appearance offers."
         ESPN2 will provide same-day coverage Thursday - Saturday evenings, as well as updates from the launch site during ESPN Outdoors Saturday morning on ESPN2.  Ron Franklin will host with Jerry McKinnis, Tommy Sanders and Fish Fishburne.  In addition, the previously announced primetime show is scheduled for Saturday, August 18th at 9 p.m. The schedule:

Date                                                                Event                                    ESPN2 Telecast Time (ET)
Thursday, Aug. 2                           Day One Weigh-In                                           6 - 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 3                                 Day Two Weigh-In                                          6 - 6: 30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 4                             Updates                                                             7 - 10:30 a.m.
                                                          Final Day Weigh-In                                           6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 18                          Review                                                                  9 - 10 p.m.

         The Classic will be conducted on the Louisiana Delta with daily weigh-ins August 2 and 3 at the Ernest Morial Convention Center.  The final day weigh-in will be held at the Superdome.

         The 45 Classic contenders will be fishing for a $100,000 top prize and the most important title in the sport.  Winning the Classic is the high-water mark in professional fishing and an accomplishment that has rewarded past winners with as much as $1 million in residual earnings.  The Classic is the championship event of the BASSMASTER Tournament Trail.

         B.A.S.S. is the world's largest fishing organization, sanctioning over 20,000 tournaments worldwide. The BASSMASTER Tournament Trail is the oldest and most prestigious pro bass fishing tournament circuit. It continues to set the standard for credibility, professionalism, and sportsmanship after more than three decades.  B.A.S.S. is a wholly owned subsidiary of ESPN.
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Media Contacts:  Press Room at the New Orleans Hyatt (540-569-9996 or 540-569-9997)