BASS announced today that Oakley, the Orange County, Calif.-based eyewear producer, will join the organization as a presenting sponsor of select Bassmaster Open events.
The agreement marks the first foray into BASS sponsorship for the popular sunglasses maker. It includes presenting sponsorship of one event in each of the three Bassmaster Open Divisions. The sponsorship will kick off with the upcoming April 16-18 Bassmaster Northern Open on Chesapeake Bay out of Cecil County, Md. Oakley will also present the April 30-May 2 Bassmaster Southern Open event on Alabama’s Wheeler Lake and the Sept. 3-5 Central Open event on Sam Rayburn Reservoir out of Jasper, Texas.
“We are excited to collaborate with BASS and be involved with the Bassmaster tournaments,” said Patrick McIlvain, vice president of Oakley Sports Marketing. “This alliance will showcase the technical advantages of our polarized eyewear in three of the most competitive fishing events of the year.”The sponsorship agreement includes a presence across BASS’ multimedia assets, including Bassmaster Magazine, BASS Times and Fishing Tackle Retailer.
“Oakley has a rock-solid reputation in the outdoors and sports industry” said Tom Ricks, vice president and general manager, ESPN Outdoors & BASS. “The Bassmaster Opens are such a coveted property with their status as the qualifying level into the Elite Series.”Bassmaster Open Official Sponsors: Toyota Trucks, Berkley, BOOYAH Baits, Evan Williams Bourbon, Mercury, OPTIMA Batteries, Skeeter Boats and Yamaha Marine.
Bassmaster Open Supporting Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops and Triton Boats.
About Oakley, Inc.
Oakley is a worldwide leader in performance optics including premium sunglasses, goggles and prescription eyewear. Headquartered in Southern California, the company’s optics brand portfolio includes Fox Racing, Mosley Tribes, Oliver Peoples and Paul Smith Spectacles. In addition to its worldwide wholesale business, Oakley operates retail locations including Oakley Stores and The Optical Shop of Aspen. The company also offers a wide selection of Oakley-branded technical and active apparel, footwear, watches and accessories. Additional information is available at www.Oakley.com.
