-For Immediate Release
Ponca City, Okla. – November 13, 2012 The Bass Federation, Inc (TBF) announced today it has acquired ownership of the nation’s fastest growing local/team fishing circuit, the National Bass Anglers Association, (NBAA). TBF will take on leadership and management roles immediately. NBAA is now owned and managed by the nation’s oldest and largest organized grassroots fishing, youth and conservation organization with over 45 years of experience.
“We’re excited to announce NBAA Tournaments, Inc. has been acquired by a new leadership group,” NBAA current owners, Jim and Jenny Sprague, stated. “We began a search for the right owners for a “new” NBAA over a year ago. NBAA is ready to “go national” and we’re proud to announce NBAA will now be under the leadership of TBF.”
The National Bass Anglers Association, (NBAA) has individual members in 36 states and 86 division directors running divisions in 12 states. NBAA has a solid foundation because of the current leadership and the work of division directors, which positioned NBAA as the fastest growing tournament trail in the nation.
“From the day Skeeter and Karen Warner started NBAA, this organization has grown and had a positive influence on tournament angling and the fishing industry,” Sprague continued. “NBAA is now poised to have a real national reach and even more of an impact for its members and sponsors. National Director, Jack Horning, Jenny and I are very excited about NBAA’s future under its new leadership and we sincerely thank each of you for the role you’ve played in NBAA’s success.”
The Sprague’s have decided to take a step back and focus their time and energy on their core tackle and manufacturing business’s, which also continue to grow. They saw NBAA was ready for a company with national reach and resources to take the NBAA program nationwide. The Bass Federation’s long-term commitment to fishing makes it the perfect fit. TBF has the resources, horsepower, infrastructure, sponsor base and proven track record with 45 years of grassroots, member involved support of the fishing industry.
“The Bass Federation is excited to be a new partner in the NBAA family,” TBF President/CEO, Robert Cartlidge, stated. “Rest assured we know the amount of work that has gone into making NBAA a great organization and we do not intend to mess around with that. Our goal is to deliver as much value to each NBAA angler, director, sponsor and partner as we possibly can as we grow the organization on a national basis.”
TBF can and will take NBAA to the next level offering every TBF club and member in the nation a chance to start and run their own NBAA division. TBF will offer more support, benefits and opportunities to all current NBAA directors by providing things only a national organization can bring to the table.
“We intend to leave most of NBAA just as it is today,” Cartlidge continued. “During 2013, we’ll gather input from NBAA directors, anglers and sponsor partners and the TBF state federations to synergize our efforts between the two groups and pave a path forward. Then, we’ll grow NBAA together in a focused, organized way.”
In the meantime, it’s business as usual for NBAA. Plans for 2013 are well underway and will be announced soon! Jim Sprague and Jack Horning will stay close by during the first year transition period. Registration is in full swing for the 2013 Championship, and other dates and locations will be announced soon. We want as much stability as possible during the transition, and we invite each of you to contact us anytime. Thank you, for your support of NBAA and we look forward to a very bright future together.
About NBAA
National Bass Anglers Association, (NBAA, LLC) is the fastest growing grassroots tournament circuit in the nation, providing fun filled week night and weekend opportunities for friends and teammates to compete on their home lakes with their friends and family for very little money and still have the opportunity to qualify for and fish in true national scale events worth tens of thousands of dollars in cash and prizes. For more info visit nbaa-bass.com or call 580.765.9031
About The Bass Federation
The Bass Federation Inc., (TBF) is owned by those we serve and dedicated to the sport of fishing. TBF is the largest and oldest, organized grassroots fishing organization. TBF affiliated state federations and their member clubs conduct more than 20,000 fishing, youth and conservation events at the local level each year and have provided a foundation for the entire bass fishing industry for 45 years. Visit bassfederation.com. or email tbf@bassfederation.com or call 580.765.9031
