From everything I have heard this seems like a really well run trail by really good people. With that said it doesn't take a PHD in accounting to see that this thing simply isn't getting the participation to last very long. I obviously don't know their sponsorship situation, but they are clearly losing money on a strictly entry fee vs payout calculation. Only 86 boats on Palestine this weekend and 73 on Ray Roberts for the first tournament according to their results page. I'm sure Brandon has the funds to bank roll this thing, but I can't imagine he has an appetite to lose money on it for very long. The demand just doesn't seem to be there for the high entry fee tournaments. Be interesting to see how this organization evolves going forward.

I don't know if you lowered entry to 750 that it would make a difference. We live in a jackpotter world now and that's a lake that's off the jackpotter radar.

Somebody did the math on Roberts and they paid back 143% of entry fees and people were still bitching lol. Then they adjusted it for Palestine to save a little money (just a little bit) and got roasted on FB for changing the payouts when they don't even have a dang membership fee. Its a crazy world we live in but they won't last whatsoever unless Brandon just really needs a business that does nothing but lose money.

I used to work at a shop like that. It was a tax write off for his wife’s medical businesses. He couldn’t lose enough money fast enough. Now he has Fat Daddy’s restaurant and it loses a lot, so I guess they are helping. His Pro Mod teams lose a lot too.

I know right, guys will complain about the sky being blue then complain about the clouds the next day. It never ends. My suggestion is take the 35-40 teams that will pay up and show up to these types of events, TTO Pro for example. Make it $2000-$2500 an event and get it on.

I would guess there is some sponsorship money involved.

....and a charity beneficiary.

Not really sure of your point in quoting me, one has zero to do with the other.
I was referring to operating costs and you’re referring to something that has to do with charitable contributions. Please explain the correlation…

95 boats at Palestine. I'm sure Rayburn and Toledo will pull much better which probably means next year it will be a Rayburn/Toledo only trail.

For sure but I find it hard to believe they are making anything at a 143% payout level. They clearly are not getting anywhere near the numbers they thought they would. Between this and the TTO pro team, it seems pretty clear to me that the high entry fee tournaments are just not that popular.

They arent. Like Jarrett said, you just have to plan to have about 40 consistent teams and thats about it

Great folks behind this trail. Looking at the TOY standings and venues, this reminds of a Platinum Team Trail reboot.
Just hope it doesn’t turn into The ETX Hammer League.

With 95 boats they only paid out roughly $10K more than they took in as entry fees. Not sure that is 143% payout

Bass Champs last event at Lake Belton had 145 entries @ $350 a pop is $50750. They paid out roughly $41,000. There is lots of sponsor money involved to make a trail profitable.

I hope they stick around. We really wanted to jump in the Ray Roberts tournament but unfortunately I had to much going on at the time.

Revenue/expenses leave a trail. Sponsorship can cover operating costs and can grow in time as the relationship(s) are nurtured and could serve as 'revenue'. A charity attached to the organization provides an outlet of sorts. Potential strategic long term play. 2nd and 3rd contracts of MLB players are when they can bank. He was a bonus baby but minimal and it took him 5 contracts to get PAID. He's now on his 9th. If this were a pass through or not set up to make money it would not have been filed as an LLC run out of his home address. On the surface it appears he is losing money with each event. He has had some great financial counsel and is managing assets and investments.