November 2, 1999
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USA Today Sports
By: Rich Kenda
Mainstream sponsorship boosts tour purses
The USA’s most popular game fish will make a big splash from coast to coast this weekend when the Millennium M1 bass tournament is broadcast live on network TV, with a possible winner’s check of $1 million.
Competitive fishing has grown from one or two $5,000 tournaments back in the 1960’s to dozens of big money events, including 12 tournaments with a first prize of at least $100,000. The sport features several professional tours, (including) the 4-year-old FLW Tour, with ties to Wal-Mart. Where once all the sponsors were boat, outboard motor, rod and reel companies, today big brands, such as … Land O’Lakes, Coca-Cola and Visa are on board.