FLW & BFL paybacks

I have wondered where all the money the FLW pays out comes from. I know some is from sponsors but after seeing the pay back at this years Mountain division is it obvious. Man What a rip!!! With 157 boats they took in 47,100 dollars in entry fees. They paid out 21,405 on the boaters side and 10,937 on the co anglers side. So they kept 14,738 dollars plus of course the membership fees..............314 times 25 another 7850 dollars ......
Well to each his own. So the little guy is footing the bill once again so the big guns can do what they do !!!!!! The grass roots for the bfl was the weekend angler,, that is a joke the ones now that are there every time knocking on the door to win either have their own business so they can afford to miss work to fish all week or they are retired. Oh well lord willing and I live long enough maybe that is my retirement plans lol......

Jbyrd, you may want to research a little more where all of this money is going. I have been to the FLW headquarters many times, it is just down the road. It is not a huge money making business - you can tell that by visiting. You need to take into consideration the qualifying "no entry fee tournaments" (that is what all of us are shooting for) as well as paying employess that work year round to organize the hundreds of tournaments they put on every year - as well as all of the equipment involved. I do admit, they are a business, and aren't doing this for free - but I also don't think they have the intention of ripping off anglers to turn a profit. They are providing a quality, organized, and very competitive tournaments. If you have ever been a part of an unorganized tournament with over 100 boats, you will think that extra money you are paying is well worth it.
FLW also supports a great deal of charities, wildlife management, and are very involved with local communities and schools. I think if anything they put all of our entry fees back in to the business of operating these tournaments. The bulk of their money will come from promoting sponsors.

Yeah, it's always been like that. Now if you fish the BASS Weekend Series it's a little different this year. They are guaranteeing $5,000 for first---of course the rest of the payout is based on number of boats. At least it feels like it may be a bit better.
Then there is always the Plapps trail that pays back 100% or at least is supposed too. I am pretty sure they do.
There might be some other trailes that do that too.
Guess, there is always options for you. I fish them even though I can't take off the whole week. It's till fun.

[QUOTE=Jbyrd;317154]I have wondered where all the money the FLW pays out comes from. I know some is from sponsors but after seeing the pay back at this years Mountain division is it obvious. Man What a rip!!! With 157 boats they took in 47,100 dollars in entry fees. They paid out 21,405 on the boaters side and 10,937 on the co anglers side. So they kept 14,738 dollars plus of course the membership fees..............314 times 25 another 7850 dollars ......
Well to each his own. So the little guy is footing the bill once again so the big guns can do what they do !!!!!! The grass roots for the bfl was the weekend angler,, that is a joke the ones now that are there every time knocking on the door to win either have their own business so they can afford to miss work to fish all week or they are retired. Oh well lord willing and I live long enough maybe that is my retirement plans lol......[/QUOTE]

I do agree, the people that is almost winning everytime is the ones that owns there own business or retired. I thought these tourneys was for the weekend anglers. I think the waters should be off limit til day before tourney. oh well that is why i didnt fish it. the payouts stinks too. oh well its just my opinion everyone has a right to speak there mind about it. everyone is different.