BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — TNT Fireworks, the nation’s largest distributor of consumer fireworks, has signed on to sponsor B.A.S.S. high school and college fishing programs and become the title sponsor of the organization’s grass-roots angler events, the TNT B.A.S.S. Nation Series.
“TNT Fireworks, like B.A.S.S., has been the leader in its field for more than 50 years, and we’re proud to be associated with the company,” said Bruce Akin. “The B.A.S.S. Nation members are so influential on behalf of conservation, angler access and youth recruitment at the state and local levels, and they are loyal to the companies and brands that support their efforts. We are also glad to have TNT’s support for high school and college competitions, which are ensuring a healthy future for our sport.”
“We are excited to further our partnership with B.A.S.S. and support the High School, College, and B.A.S.S. Nation programs,” said John Propst, TNT vice president. “These programs do an outstanding job of carrying on the passion and enthusiasm for bass fishing through their conservation efforts and youth involvement. We believe that many of our customers at TNT share the same passion for the outdoors and carrying on traditions. We also hope that we can help the many fishing clubs and teams raise money for their sport through our fundraising program.”
The B.A.S.S Nation, a 50-plus year-old global network of B.A.S.S.-affiliated bass clubs, is active in 47 states and 11 foreign countries, including Australia, (Ontario) Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Namibia, Portugal, South Africa, Spain and Zimbabwe.
TNT is the title sponsor of three B.A.S.S. Nation Regional Championship bass tournaments this year and the B.A.S.S. Nation Championship. The regionals kicked off April 17-19 with the TNT B.A.S.S. Nation Central Regional on Lake Guntersville at Guntersville, Ala. The TNT B.A.S.S. Nation Western Regional will take place on Lake Shasta at Redding, Calif., May 8-10. And the TNT B.A.S.S. Nation Eastern Regional will be held on Sebago Lake at Point Sebago, Maine, Sept. 11-13.
The top boater and nonboater from each state in those regional fish-offs will qualify for the national championship at Lake Hartwell, S.C., Nov. 6-8. The Top 3 grass-roots competitors in the TNT B.A.S.S. Nation Championship qualify for the 2020 Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
TNT is also sponsoring the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops and the Mossy Oak Fishing Bassmaster High School Series presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors.
The College Series offers collegiate anglers four Tour events culminating in the College Series National Championship, which crowns the top college team in the nation, and the College Classic Bracket event, which sends one college angler to the Classic. The High School circuit consists of four regional High School Opens and a national championship.
As a sponsor of the events, TNT is entitled to exhibit space and fan activation opportunities at Nation, College and High School events, as well as the Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest at Lake Fork at Emory, Texas, and the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville out of Scottsboro, Ala. In addition, TNT was an exhibitor at the recent Bassmaster Classic Outdoors Expo presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods in Knoxville, Tenn.
