If you're wondering why they made the change, here you go.

http://www.bassfan.com/news_article/9384/what-has-anglers-most-pumped-about-bpt#.W7aVzhNKiL8

Before I read it I will guess they were tired of fishing for the other guys money. They might say other things but that's what drove this.

"870 hours of TV coverage on multiple networks" is going to be put competitive fishing on a whole new level of potential income for fishermen...
it may take a few years but my prediction is that MLF will be closely modeled after professional golf in that the fishermen will control the competition,the venue and most importantly the television,advertising and venue income....
tournament bass fishing is not a spectator sport in it's current form,actually on the lake spectators detract and sometimes alter the outcome of high level tournaments...MLF has overcome this by putting a camera in each boat and created excellent viewing for the fans....

could be wrong but IMHO, MLF has created a "better mousetrap"....

Of course us fisherman will watch. We were already watching. 870 hours will be more hours to the same audience. Non-fishermen will not watch.

None of them mentioned this and so far none of them seem to want to cut entry fees. They have that option.

Sounds like they were tired of being married to the same old, same old. Frustrated by years of lack of reception to requests/ideas; the new girl in town looks more attractive. The new girl isn�t as traditional and has her own flaws, but offers more possibilities and is more agreeable in some ways

They all mention it off the record. Then they say other things when on record. It's not that entry fees are too high. It's basically that they are fishing for the other guys entry fees. Look how the Elite Series paid out. Top half the field gets about twice their entry fee back. Only the few top spots get much more. Your primarily fishing for the other guys money. So on the average they were either making it off sponsors or they are starving.

They left for more money.

It's like when they win. Rarely any mention of the money. They hold the expected line. If you stuck them with the truth needle they would be saying, "it's great to get a big check, I was about to starve to death".

Did they leave for more money? If they were being offered cash to stay, no entry fees and better payouts with BASS but left anyway does that add up to you as leaving for more?

Sounds exciting! Can�t wait to see how much it �grows the sport!� I have non fishing friends that tell me their kids (like 4-5 year olds) get into watching bass tournaments on tv. This should appeal to all ages.

If they aren�t playing for each other�s money; I�m guessing that it�s for a slice of the TV contract (paid viewership package) + expo + sponsors money

With multiple sources of the payout finances, different scales/multiple marshals the anglers are in a difficult position as independent contractors

Another concern would be the slice of the paid viewership package
The younger generations (clearly targeted with this format) are very adept at vpn scrambling, streaming, and mirroring. I�d be concerned that the anglers payouts aren�t a true reflection of what they are worth

Im excited about the change. Sounds like a good deal

Wow...

Millions and millions of fisherman won't watch

Everybody talking about the tv exposure but the audience for bass fishing on tv ain't that big people like us are only ones watching