Guaranteed Rate, a leader in mortgage lending and digital financial services, announces it has expanded its relationship with B.A.S.S., the worldwide authority on bass fishing, to serve as the title sponsor for five Bassmaster Elite Series events in 2022.
Guaranteed Rate will be the title sponsor of the following events: Bassmaster Elite at Santee Cooper Lakes, March 17-20; Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake, April 7-10; Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River, July 14-17; Bassmaster Elite at Lake Oahe, Aug. 18-21; and Bassmaster Elite at Mississippi River, Aug. 26-29.
“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Guaranteed Rate to reach even more enthusiastic sportfishing fans during a time when we’ve seen record-breaking levels of interest in the Elite Series and huge participation in fishing and outdoor activities,” said B.A.S.S. CEO Chase Anderson.
B.A.S.S. is among Guaranteed Rate’s highly successful sports partnerships, including NASCAR driver Tyler Reddick, NHL, National Lacrosse League (NLL) and the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA).
“We are excited to strengthen our relationship with B.A.S.S. as the title sponsor of these highly anticipated events,” said Guaranteed Rate Vice President of Sports Marketing and Partnerships Steve McNelley. “We can’t wait to experience more record-breaking action as the anglers head out on the water this season.”
In 2021, Guaranteed Rate sponsored four Elite Series events, including the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Fork. During that tournament, Lee Livesay finished with a whopping total of 112 pounds, 5 ounces that was capped by a final-day catch of five bass that weighed 42 pounds, 3 ounces. A captivated audience watched more than 51.4 million minutes of live tournament coverage as the Elite at Lake Fork produced three lead changes and saw two anglers catch over 100 pounds. Livesay also won the 2020 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Chickamauga Lake, his first Elite victory.
“Both of my Elite Series wins have come in tournaments sponsored by Guaranteed Rate, and I appreciate their continued support of the sport,” said Livesay. “Hopefully, I can bring home another blue trophy with that Guaranteed Rate logo this season.”
Three other anglers — Jeff Gustafson, Tennessee River; Bill Lowen, Pickwick Lake; and Bryan Schmitt, Lake Champlain — won their first Elite Series tournament at Guaranteed Rate-sponsored events in 2021.
Enthusiasm for fishing is booming beyond the professional ranks, with studies showing that 1 in 5 Americans are more likely to try fishing now than they were before the pandemic started. According to studies from the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation, nearly 55 million Americans fished at least once in 2020, the highest number recorded since participation tracking began in 2007.
After a successful first season where nearly 14 million viewers watched Bassmaster LIVE programming, once more all nine 2022 Elite events and the storied Bassmaster Classic will feature live television coverage on the FOX Sports platforms. For more information on the tournaments, visit Bassmaster.com.