2010 Saltwater Series Television Schedule Also Announced

ESPN Outdoors, the worldwide leader in outdoor events coverage, announced today the schedule for the 2010 Built Ford Tough ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series presented by Takemefishing.org. The announcement precedes the debut of the ESPN2 coverage of the 2009 Saltwater Series, which will air Sunday, March 28 at 8 a.m. ET, with original episodes through May 2.

The Series, created in 2008, will again highlight six world-class, stand-alone events which will be covered on ESPN Outdoors multimedia platforms.  The 2010 series will receive television coverage on ESPN2 in 2011.  Additionally, timely event coverage will appear on ESPNOutdoors.com including photo galleries, features and game stories. 

In November 2009, ESPN Outdoors officials announced that the 2010 IGFA Championship event will join the tournament schedule, which will add considerable cache to the Series, and be played out on July 13-15 out of Islamorada, Fla.  The EOSS will visit two new locations in 2010, Boca Grande, Fla., for the Raymond James Boca Grande Classic on May 5-8 and redfish paradise New Orleans for the Bayou Red Trout Classic on Dec. 15-17.

“As we continue to develop our saltwater content, the ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series has developed into a cornerstone property that gives fans a unique perspective on the saltwater lifestyle,” said Jamie Wilkinson, senior director of event operations and business development, ESPN Outdoors. 

Participants in the six events will include world-renowned professional anglers and accomplished guides from the sportfishing industry as well as celebrities from the sports world.  In 2009, competitors included lead judge on Bravo’s Top Chef Tom Colicchio, fly-fishing legends Stu Apte and Flip Pallot; and Bassmaster Elite Series pros Chris and Bobby Lane.  The ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series will focus on several different types of sportfish including redfish, striped bass, tarpon, bonefish and permit.  

A full schedule of events including the featured sportfish can be found below as well as the ESPN2 television schedule for the 2009 season.  ESPNOutdoors.com will be the home for daily event coverage and will provide photo galleries, game stories and analysis from each event.

“We are proud to be associated with ESPN and its leadership place in the industry,” said Gary Ellis, founder of Redbone, who will manage five of the Saltwater Series events.  “The influence that we receive due to ESPN’s multimedia coverage is unmatched.”

The Redbone Celebrity Tournament Series was founded by Gary and Susan Ellis in 1988 with a mission “To catch the cure for cystic fibrosis.”

For more information on the individual tournaments, fishing fans can visit www.redbone.org. 

2010 Built Ford Tough ESPN Outdoors Saltwater Series presented by Takemefishing.org

2010 ESPN2 OUTDOORS SALTWATER SERIES TV SCHEDULE

About ESPN Outdoors: Since its inception in 1980, ESPN Outdoors has strived to inform and entertain anglers, hunters, campers and people of all ages who enjoy the outdoors. ESPN Outdoors is committed to increasing awareness of and participation in outdoor activities, a direction best exemplified by television programming on ESPN2.

Each year, ESPN Outdoors stages more than 30 marquee events, including the Bassmaster Classic. ESPN Outdoors is comprised of BASS, the worldwide authority on bass fishing, and a growing array of multimedia platforms, including Bassmaster.com, ESPNOutdoors.com and programming on ESPN2, in addition to promotions and activities that deliver a clear message of conservation and ethical sportsmanship.

 Courtesy of BASS Communications.