35 minutes ago, Team9nine said:

The thing is, they likely have a number of anglers in mind they need to have a show/tour. Not everyone on the initial invite is going to accept. Maybe a lot won't. It was the same with the original MLF Selects. Point being they'll need to start contacting other guys to fill those available openings. Seems a little foolish to be going online, whining and griping at this point...good way to make sure you never get a chance at an invite if you're not careful.

I saw some posts that someone put up on another forum that was Kelley Jaye on his FB I guess and he was extremely ticked! I don't do Facebook so I haven't seen the full context but he wasn't happy about the selection process.

This was Jaye's comment...

 

 

The simple fact of the matter is that MLF is a business operation, just like BASS and FLW. Their circuit, they can set their own entry criteria or invite who they want. Don't like it, form your own circuit or fish one of the competitor circuits. Since they are limiting the field size, a lot of people aren't going to get invited initially. When McKinnis first bought into BASS, he stated he wanted to limit the BASS field to about 75 or 80 anglers. That never happened.

8 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

any updates you're allowed to share? 

@Glenn?

None that I'm allowed to share.  But there is another announcement from B.A.S.S. coming in the next few days, unrelated to this, that's going to tick off a lot of people. I can't share just yet though.

 

Stay tuned....

5 hours ago, n8cas4 said:

If the top tier anglers / superstars leave and fish this trail exclusively - it would turn BASS and FLW into the minor leagues.  Yes, new slots for great new anglers to come in, but still extremely difficult for the average angler to make it financially. And, those that do end up making it happen would end up leaving for the new trail...

Maybe...Although I doubt the Bassmaster Classic will ever be considered 'minor'.  I'm not disparaging the new trail, just playing devil's advocate here...I'm sure I'll tune in to it.  

 

If you remember, one of the big knocks on FLW for a long time (and still today a little bit) is the heavy-handed sponsor influence.  MLF is even more sponsor-influenced than FLW was and IF the selection criteria is partially sponsor-based it's another layer added on top of that.  There will be lots of people who don't like that, from pros to fans to sponsors on the outside.  You can say, "Tough luck...Start your own or change," all you want (and that's obviously true), but it won't change the fact that it seems like this will alienate some anglers, some fans, and some other sponsors.

 

Pro Bass Fishing has pretty much always been divided...And many people have said the key to getting more popularity is consolidation (which is ironically the original topic of this thread).  I guess the question is, will this create more division or more solidarity?  I know what my guess is...

11 hours ago, Logan S said:

This was Jaye's comment...

 

 

Bingo. Thanks! Doesn't sound like he's too happy.

11 hours ago, Glenn said:

None that I'm allowed to share.  But there is another announcement from B.A.S.S. coming in the next few days, unrelated to this, that's going to tick off a lot of people. I can't share just yet though.

 

Stay tuned....

Rumor is they're going to cancel the western swing. I'd say that would tick some people off. That's been a touchy subject with the western guys and rightfully so. On the flip side it sounds like there were some who weren't too happy about it. We'll see what happens the next couple days. 

MLF strikes first with their official press release now posted...

 

MLF press release

Here it is!

https://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_123/Bass-Pro-Tour-91118.html

 

Cat loose amongst the pigeons!

Man you guys are quick! This might make for an interesting week!

Start a new thread, Glenn?  I'm sure a bunch of us want to talk about this over the next few weeks / months.  I don't think I can edit my original topic...

Yes, you can start a new thread about it.

On 9/10/2018 at 9:11 PM, Glenn said:

None that I'm allowed to share.  But there is another announcement from B.A.S.S. coming in the next few days, unrelated to this, that's going to tick off a lot of people. I can't share just yet though.

 

Stay tuned....

Replace all live wells with deep-friers, the winner is selected via a cook-off back at the dock.