WWKVDD?

Sorry but Upshaw is not someone that has any business talking about ethics.... dude has none.

From an outsiders perspective, someone that loves to fish but doesn't fish tournaments or keep up with what the pro's are doing...

There is always so much drama. It's something all the time

I think the fact is that MLF/FLW knew exactly what was going to happen well before they pulled the rug out from under those guys. They then continued to lie about it for no other reason than to make a buck. Had they come out and told the truth they would have lost out for the rest of that year. Now, looking at it currently how can you blame them because nobody seems to care enough not to fish their events or hold them accountable for doing it. Win-win for them and shows that fishermen as a whole aren't much different than the same crooked people that lied to those guys, it all comes down to a dollar. Happens every day in every facet of our lives and we(me included) just call it business

I think Big O might actually be working for MLF... because he is definitely not helping BASS... if anything i might give MLF another chance in spite of him

I kind of agree with skipper and a few other posters... MLF clearly didnt have a legal obligation to pay, but in my opinion it is a big missed opportunity to show the industry MLF is truly all 'about the fisherman'.. just think about the 'goodwill' earned if when it was announced, they immediately said - 'we know how hard these everyday guys worked to qualify for the FLW Cup, eventhough there is no longer a cup, we are going to make it right because we recognize their efforts'... even if they paid them each 5,000 (60,000) and they dont have the travel cost associated with the tournament.. just something to be proactive and get out in front would have made a difference... instead they were reactive and apparently communication was terrible.. several of those anglers mentioned that they could not get a email or phone call returned.. so i view it as poor marketing and lack of vision more than 'stealing' - which is a complete overreaction and invalidates big o's argument..

Lots of people on this thread "thinking" the "fact" is.

Tell us more

Yes, the truth is none of us have all of the context for the deal, how long it took, what the issues were and how the collective group used all of that information to make a decision. Super easy to armchair quarterback with only surface level information. We do know that FLW was in a tough financial position and that likely impacted how this transaction was structured. Maybe we would all see it differently if we had all the data, who knows.

And the way most people see it is MLF screwed all them guys that had already qualified for the cup . Why did they not take the high road ?

Just my opinion, it would be an awesome thing to see a one-time exception that allows the Forrest Wood Cup qualifying anglers to fish the new championship. Give them what they earned (obligations aside). It would create a positive story line that MLF could use to elevate their brand. I see it as a win for both sides. For an organization that was said to be created to improve the treatment and compensation for its anglers, I think there is an opportunity here.

My thoughts on it as well.

Just what context or data would make it then okay to rip off a significant number of anglers out of a minimum of $10k? Tell everyone how any of it can be justified, and if you don’t view it as ripping off the anglers, then just what is it supposed to be viewed as to those who lost out on a minimum $10k?.

Irrespective of FLW’s financial ability to put on the tournament; which there is nothing out there to support the conclusion they couldn’t, except what is being parroted by the MLF water boys, FLW had a many opportunities to communicate to anglers who were still paying in entry fees, dues, etc... throughout 2019 while the sale details were being structured, that the FW cup was going to be cancelled and all those who qualified under published rules would no longer qualify for what ever its replacement might be. And here is the biggest kicker of all - damn near everything is still the same at FLW, the people, the org charts, the infrastructure, etc... the very same people who made the decision to cancel that event and rip off all those anglers are still sitting in the same offices and seats they were when the decision was made. Those responsible are just now considered employees of a subsidiary of MLF - nothing has changed and no one is held accountable. To me the purse was highjacked and it’s been nothing but excuse making since.

Its really simple to me at this point. You either like one or the other or both. All the lobbying in the world is likely not gonna change any minds, similar to politics. No matter what all the lying sacks say I am going to vote my OWN convictions and all the venom spit out isn't going to change my choice a bit. I do have to admit I sadly kinda follow the banter on this issue and think Big O is hilarious. Just like politics don't let facts get in the way of a good story or crusade!!!