I listened to the BLT YouTube link interview with Chris Zaldain. In it, they talk about the AOY tournament not having a title sponsor anymore and only the winner of AOY earning $100k. They're no longer paying down the field. Last year, they paid down through 50 spots ($100k for 1st, $55k for 2nd, $45k for 3rd, etc.) Does anyone have a link to read more about it?

They said that each other tournament pays out more to the lower place finishers than it did before and the Bass Fest pays $25k more to the winner. Seems odd to me, but I guess this is what happens when there’s too many leagues wanting a handout. Wait until we finally hit a recession, then it’s gonna get real ugly for “professional” fisherman.

I agree. Going to be some weeding out when a recession hits.

I'm telling yall there won't be professional fishing in the future. All these companies are throwing their money at these YouTube people. There is only so much money out there and more and more YouTube "stars" are getting all these deals. Look at all the Skeeter MLF guys that got dropped and then look at at those Googan guys. They are running new Skeeter every year with a team deal now. It's only going to get worse I think.

Googan will be a flash in the pan.

So they BASS is taking money away from the AOY race? Say it isn't so. And no sponsor? Wow, that's BIG news.

Look im not really a fan of those guys, but flash in the pan? They've been around for several years already, i agree they probably wont last forever as soon as the next group comes through, but they built a brand thats sustaining right now. They are getting some 300k+ views a week or more, i wonder how that compares with traditional TV fishing shows and what the cost difference is to put in ad on youtube vrs on tv. Its all about the bottom line, if you can pay less and get your product in front of more eyes wouldnt you do it?

Yep. YouTube is where it's at now. And I agree, I can't stand the Googan stuff but they aren't going anywhere.

I been saying this all along.

I never understood the purpose of an AOY tournament. Do great over the course of the season and you’re AOY. Period.

They are basically redistributing the money to all the tournaments, instead of to the AOY contenders. I guess I can see it both ways though, why should an AOY angler in 10 place get paid anything? I think if I were a professional angler, I’d rather get paid more per event.

It's nice to get a check at the end of the year for being consistent

That was Chris Zaldains stance on it too, he was disappointed in the change.

The PGA has a three tournament championship called the FedEx Cup, where players accumulate points over the course of the year. The final tournament has a staggered points system, where the leader starts the torment with a head start score and it is tapered down from there. The idea is for the points leader to win the final event. It took a while for me to come around to it, but I get the idea now. They want the best golfer that season to win the final event, so he gets the chance to do so with a head start.

Something like that could work. Better chance the angler wins the final event, the TV revenue is still there for an extra tournament, and other guys get a chance to win some money too.