11-02-2007, 08:10 PM
Little Rock, Arkansas- The sixth season of the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup is poised to be the biggest and best on record for the nation's premier saltwater fishing championship. A new format brings together only the cream of the crop for a shorter season with increased payouts. The field will now be limited to only 40 two-man teams representing the best of the Redfish Cup.
"In 2008 we are going to give the sport's greatest teams the best opportunity they've ever had to fish competitively for a living," said David Healy, senior director of sales and sponsorship for Career Sports & Entertainment, the agency that owns the Cup. "After discussing potential changes for the new season with our anglers, we believe this format is the best way to allow them to put their skills and personalities on display for the world."
Beginning in April, all 40 teams will compete in four regular season events scattered across the Southeast in the hopes of qualifying for the season-ending championship in October. Entry fees for the four regular season events are $3,000 and there is no entry fee for the 20-team championship. Locations and teams will be announced online in the coming weeks.
Payouts are also bigger than ever, finally allowing anglers the chance to live their dream by making their living as a professional. Each event features a $50,000 grand prize and $180,000 in total payout, meaning the Cup will give away almost $1 million over the course of the 2008 season, the largest in the history of competitive saltwater fishing. The minimum guaranteed payback is an astounding 186 percent and could exceed 250 percent with sponsor contingency monies.
The 2008 Cup also continues its broadcast relationship with ESPN2, but moves to weekend afternoons and weekday evenings to further maximize audience size and scope. The groundbreaking live online coverage featured at two events in 2007 is also back and better than ever for 2008, and will be featured on RedfishCup.com and ESPNOutdoors.com at every event during the season. In addition, the Cup announced the search for a general manager to guide the direction and future growth of the property.
The new year will also mark a greater emphasis on community outreach for the Cup and its anglers. Thursdays prior to the event will now be designated as off the water and out in the community, and feature appearances and autograph signings from the Cup anglers at various locations in the town of the venue.
"The Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup owes a debt of gratitude to our fans over the past five years," said Healy. "By going out into the communities we visit we have the opportunity to not only thank our current fans, but make many new ones. Creating awareness and gaining exposure for the Cup is one of our highest priorities, and it begins with one person, one viewer and one fan at a time."
For more information and upcoming announcements visit www.RedfishCup.com.
About the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup:
In its sixth year, the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup is the nation's premier inshore saltwater fishing championship. The 2008 schedule consists of five events culminating with the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup Championship in October. It is the proving ground for the nation's top professional redfish anglers. Full 2007 tournament coverage can be seen every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. EST on ESPN2 through December.
Sponsors of the 2008 Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup includes Oh Boy! Oberto Beef Jerky, Tabasco, Mercury Marine, Triton Boats, Lake and Bay Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Falcon Rods, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Lucky Craft, Motorguide and Berkley.
"In 2008 we are going to give the sport's greatest teams the best opportunity they've ever had to fish competitively for a living," said David Healy, senior director of sales and sponsorship for Career Sports & Entertainment, the agency that owns the Cup. "After discussing potential changes for the new season with our anglers, we believe this format is the best way to allow them to put their skills and personalities on display for the world."
Beginning in April, all 40 teams will compete in four regular season events scattered across the Southeast in the hopes of qualifying for the season-ending championship in October. Entry fees for the four regular season events are $3,000 and there is no entry fee for the 20-team championship. Locations and teams will be announced online in the coming weeks.
Payouts are also bigger than ever, finally allowing anglers the chance to live their dream by making their living as a professional. Each event features a $50,000 grand prize and $180,000 in total payout, meaning the Cup will give away almost $1 million over the course of the 2008 season, the largest in the history of competitive saltwater fishing. The minimum guaranteed payback is an astounding 186 percent and could exceed 250 percent with sponsor contingency monies.
The 2008 Cup also continues its broadcast relationship with ESPN2, but moves to weekend afternoons and weekday evenings to further maximize audience size and scope. The groundbreaking live online coverage featured at two events in 2007 is also back and better than ever for 2008, and will be featured on RedfishCup.com and ESPNOutdoors.com at every event during the season. In addition, the Cup announced the search for a general manager to guide the direction and future growth of the property.
The new year will also mark a greater emphasis on community outreach for the Cup and its anglers. Thursdays prior to the event will now be designated as off the water and out in the community, and feature appearances and autograph signings from the Cup anglers at various locations in the town of the venue.
"The Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup owes a debt of gratitude to our fans over the past five years," said Healy. "By going out into the communities we visit we have the opportunity to not only thank our current fans, but make many new ones. Creating awareness and gaining exposure for the Cup is one of our highest priorities, and it begins with one person, one viewer and one fan at a time."
For more information and upcoming announcements visit www.RedfishCup.com.
About the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup:
In its sixth year, the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup is the nation's premier inshore saltwater fishing championship. The 2008 schedule consists of five events culminating with the Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup Championship in October. It is the proving ground for the nation's top professional redfish anglers. Full 2007 tournament coverage can be seen every Saturday at 8:30 a.m. EST on ESPN2 through December.
Sponsors of the 2008 Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup includes Oh Boy! Oberto Beef Jerky, Tabasco, Mercury Marine, Triton Boats, Lake and Bay Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Falcon Rods, Academy Sports and Outdoors, Lucky Craft, Motorguide and Berkley.