BENTON, Ky. & WARSAW, Poland (Jan. 24, 2024) – Major League Fishing announced today a new title sponsor for the prestigious Angler of the Year (AOY) awards in its four top circuits. Ten Square Games will showcase its leading mobile game Fishing Clash as the AOY title sponsor for the Bass Pro Tour, Tackle Warehouse Invitationals, Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats and Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine.
The sponsorship follows the success of a marketing partnership first launched in August, which saw the two brands work together on a co-branded promotion where players of Fishing Clash competed in daily MLF-branded events on a digital Saginaw Bay at the same time MLF pros were on the actual waters competing at the final event of the 2023 Bass Pro Tour season in Bay City, Michigan.
“With a player base of more than 80 million people, Fishing Clash is exposing our sport to outdoor enthusiasts around the world,” said Kathy Fennel, Executive Vice President & General Manager of Major League Fishing. “With their expanded presence as the official MLF Angler of the Year program sponsor, across four circuits, we’re excited to broaden Fishing Clash’s engagement in the sport of professional bass fishing and are confident that this partnership will be mutually beneficial.”
One of the most difficult titles to win, no matter the level, MLF Angler of the Year awards honor the angler in each circuit who performs best throughout the entire season – not just winning an event. To earn the preeminent title on the 2024 Bass Pro Tour, the sport’s top level, an angler must outfish 80 of the top professional anglers in the world across seven tournaments. The AOY must be extremely versatile, as, like Fishing Clash, the Bass Pro Tour features anglers competing at different types of fisheries throughout the season.
Four anglers have earned the Angler of the Year title since the Bass Pro Tour was first launched in 2019, including two-time winner Jacob Wheeler – the only angler to ever claim the title twice. In 2023, rookie Matt Becker earned the honor, becoming the first angler to ever earn the title in his rookie season.
“Through our continued partnership with Major League Fishing, we are not just sponsoring an event; we are showcasing our unwavering dedication to the sport of fishing,” said Andrzej Ilczuk, CEO of Ten Square Games. “This collaboration serves as a bridge between the virtual realm of Fishing Clash and the passion shared by outdoor enthusiasts worldwide. It’s more than a sponsorship – it’s a commitment to bringing together the virtual and real-world fishing communities, creating an immersive experience that resonates with anglers everywhere.”
The Fishing Clash 2024 Angler of the Year Awards will be:
- Bass Pro Tour Fishing Clash Angler of the Year: $100,000
- Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Fishing Clash Angler of the Year: $50,000
- Toyota Series Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (1 per division – 6 total): $5,000 each
- Phoenix Bass Fishing League Fishing Clash Angler of the Year (1 per division – 24 total): $1,000 each
As the title sponsor of the Angler of the Year Award, Fishing Clash will be prominently showcased during MLFNOW! live streams and TV broadcasts on Discovery and Outdoor Channel and enjoy extensive exposure across multiple MLF media channels. Fishing Clash will be featured in all Bass Pro Tour television broadcasts, totaling 312 hours of coverage. Fishing Clash will be tagged in posts related to the Bass Pro Tour AOY race on MLF’s social media outlets, and the game will also be showcased in linkable materials, YouTube videos, Facebook live interviews, social media polls, and a dedicated Fishing Clash Angler of the Year takeover on the MLF Instagram page, all strategically including installation and redirection links. This comprehensive coverage includes MLF Bass Fishing Magazine, with Fishing Clash naturally featured in all six issues annually, providing Ten Square Games a unique opportunity to connect with a target audience passionate about fishing and outdoor activities.
Fishing Clash is one of the leading mobile games worldwide, ranked in the top 50 in the Google Play store and played by more than 80 million people in 171 countries. The interactive 3D fishing simulator offers players the opportunity to grab their fishing tackle and go on extreme fishing adventures. The game offers an abundance of fish species and superb fishing experiences at numerous locations worldwide, including previous MLF Bass Pro Tour fisheries like Lake Guntersville, the Great Lakes and Saginaw Bay.
The 2024 Bass Pro Tour Fishing Clash Angler of the Year race begins Jan. 30 – Feb. 4 at the Bass Pro Tour Stage One at Toledo Bend Reservoir in Many, Louisiana. Fishing Clash players will be able to compete in daily MLF-branded events on a virtual Toledo Bend Reservoir while Bass Pro Tour pros are competing in real life on the fishery. Fishing Clash will add select MLF-branded Bass Pro Tour locations to its virtual fisheries throughout the 2024 season.
For more information about Fishing Clash, visit FishingClash.game or download the Fishing Clash game on iOS or Android. For complete details and updated information on Major League Fishing, visit MajorLeagueFishing.com.