Ranger drops Ike

I haven't seen any fishing on TV in several years. I simply refuse to
sit through the nagging and stupid commercials. I have no idea who you
guys are discussing. Not a clue. I dropped my subscription to BASS
several years ago. They have shown the average angler too much
disrespect to suit me.

I miss the days when Ray controlled things. When it was more fun to
compete. It's become far too bloodthirsty of a sport for me. I am sick
and tired of cheaters, and people who ignore the law. I long for a time
when people could share the water, because you are fishing a little lake
and there is 300 boats on it.

That being said, I am also dismayed at those so-called professionals in
many of our sports. Those with the criminal records etc. We should not
have to tolerate such people in our professional sports and should let
the organizations they play for know it.

I applaud Ranger Boats for dropping his sponsorship. If we had more
companies that demanded a more professional attitude from those they
sponsor, then displays like you guys have been describing would not take
place on national TV.

Carlos

wrote in message
oups.com...
Just read on BassFan.com that Ranger dropped Ike. I think that this
trend will continue as his schtick is getting old. I recently read a
column from a prominent writer that at the amatuer level, Ike didn't do
his screaming and yelling, it only started when the tv cameras arrived.


"Ranger drops Ike 2/28/2006
Ranger Boats has dropped its sponsorship of Mike Iaconelli based on his
behavior at the recent Bassmaster Classic. Here's the statement from
Ranger president Randy Hopper.

"Based on a series of events that occurred during the recent Bassmaster
Classic competition, Ranger Boats is withdrawing its sponsorship and
affiliation with Mike Iaconelli. We do not believe that Mike's conduct
during the tournament appropriately represents the deep-seated values
on which our company was built and continues to operate.

"Ranger further acknowledges Iaconelli's impressive angling
achievements as well as his commitment to promoting the sport of
fishing. His efforts to encourage others through the platform of
fishing are a credit to his many accomplishments. While we regret his
actions leading to this decision, we wish Mike well in future
ventures." "

~~
Jack Dalzell
www.jdbass.com

Not a tough decision for old Irv the Liquidator when Mike wasn't going play
with him (FLW) this year. Easy out for Ranger that won't cost them
anything. IMHO Joe Z.
~~
http://bassfan.com/news_article.asp?id=1518

Are you forgetting the episode with Martin last year, not having a license
for the touney, but yet he didn't DQ himself, nor did the Tourney Reps.


"Chris Rennert" wrote in message
.. .
I actually find that decision more rational than B.A.S.S's decision to
disqualify him. The negative publicity put out by B.A.S.S is going to
influence boat buyers, therefore people "won't" buy a Ranger just because
Iaconnelli is sponsored by Ranger. It was definitely in Rangers best
interest to make that move.

I don't want to come off that Iaconnelli gets a free pass (in my eyes) no
matter what he does, my issue is with how B.A.S.S has created this (along
with Mike), facilitated it (and Mike adhered), and now are stomping it out
(their business, their right i guess).

Well, I know who I want to win the Classic next year.....Aaron Martens,
but I hope Mike is Runner up.

Chris
wrote:
Just read on BassFan.com that Ranger dropped Ike. I think that this
trend will continue as his schtick is getting old. I recently read a
column from a prominent writer that at the amatuer level, Ike didn't do
his screaming and yelling, it only started when the tv cameras arrived.


"Ranger drops Ike 2/28/2006
Ranger Boats has dropped its sponsorship of Mike Iaconelli based on his
behavior at the recent Bassmaster Classic. Here's the statement from
Ranger president Randy Hopper.

"Based on a series of events that occurred during the recent Bassmaster
Classic competition, Ranger Boats is withdrawing its sponsorship and
affiliation with Mike Iaconelli. We do not believe that Mike's conduct
during the tournament appropriately represents the deep-seated values
on which our company was built and continues to operate.

"Ranger further acknowledges Iaconelli's impressive angling
achievements as well as his commitment to promoting the sport of
fishing. His efforts to encourage others through the platform of
fishing are a credit to his many accomplishments. While we regret his
actions leading to this decision, we wish Mike well in future
ventures." "

~~
Jack Dalzell
www.jdbass.com
~~

"SimRacer" wrote in message SNIP

I gotta say Steve, you are sounding like the posterchild for "purists" vs
"the new fan". And I ain't disagreeing with you, not really, but your post
could have been in the NASCAR group at any time since Brian France took
over
and started changing that sport, and the new guys have come in with chips
on
their shoulders, all the while "old fans" and purists sat back and
complained and said it would never work. Sadly, NASCAR is getting bigger,
and the core-old time-fans are disappearing, and being replaced in droves
by
the new TV audience. I see BASS going that same route. They "will"
continue
to grow, at times at the expense of the history that got them to where
they
are, but they will grow. With new blood. With anglers that may not act
like
"we" would think they should, and us old timers will get the cold shoulder
in favor of the new audience's disposable income.

So sadly, I think your last statement is going to turn out to be
incorrect.
There is room for something else. Edgier. Racier. Attractive to a newer
and
younger audience, with more of their parent's money to spend. I hate that
I
say that, but I've seen it in other burgeoning sports, and I'm afraid that
BASS will be no different now that they are moving into the mainstream.
Now
that ESPN is finally starting to exploit it for the money maker that it
can
be for them.

Do I condone Mike's actions? No, not really. Do I think Ranger pulling
their
support of him is going to change anything? No, not really. If anything, I
think it will arise at least a small backfire against them. They're trying
to make an example out of someone that a lot of "new" fans like, and I
can't
see that going very far in a positive direction for them when they're in
the
commerical business of selling boats. See, IMO (based on years of quiet
observation of similar trends in "Southern" sports like NASCAR) I think
Mike
has enough fans that will follow his boat sponsor, whomever it may be. I
can
see people that are Ike fans that "were" considering a Ranger, now not
buying one. And instead, buying whatever company's product that picks him
up
as a show of solidarity with "their man". The old school support of
"sport"
sponsorships is dying away, and is being replaced by fans of sponsors of
certain fishermen (or drivers in NASCAR). As I've said in other posts on
the
topic, BASS is "arriving" and is going to be held up against other pro
sports as to what is and is not acceptable. In that vain, Mike hurt no one
but a light pole and 2 bass, and his career will advance.

I mean, if an NFL player can serve jail time, and still come back to
millions in salary, why shouldn't it (Ike's career) advance? Why shouldn't
it even prosper? At the core level, he tore up a Triton, and "was"
sponsored
by Ranger at the time. That tack would've been more actionable IMO (in a
postive way), than yanking their sponsorship of him over an emotional
outburst, whether you, I, or everyone, are tired of his "antics" or not.
If
Ranger had simply played it off (while not necessarily condoning his
actions, which was possible) they'd have people lining up to buy their
stuff. Now, they're going to drive more people away than they attract. And
it's because of thinking like yours, that assumes everyone that watches
the
BASS on ESPN are genteel fisherman, that underestand that there are ways
"to
behave" and ways "not to behave". The sport has grown beyond that
demographic IMO, and the sooner us old timers figure it out, the better
off
we'll be. I ain't sayin it's right, I'm just saying that thinking and
comments like yours will get the sport labled as "redneck" and "backwoods"
in today's society (which could care less about being nice, just read
anything about politics anywhere today, and nice is no longer expected in
anything today), so it leaves us with a choice: Measurable growth of the
sport, accepting that change is upon us; or Let it be, and it will never
grow any larger.

If we stymie people like Ike, and come down with the hammer everytime they
put a toe out of line or don't act "just so", BASS will not grow, it will
retract. Sad fact, but a fact nonetheless IMO. Especially when you
consider
what BASS and Ranger did to Ike amount to a penalty over ethics/morality.
Those just aren't kosher anymore. Not with all the Blue on the political
maps. Not since President Clinton uttered that famous line: "Define sex."
Not since the 2004 election was said to hinge on "morality issues" and
from
then on the Republicans of this country have been labeled the "Evangelical
Right". No, whether you think it was right or wrong, a majority of people
in
this country if asked about it would say that BASS/Ranger were wrong. And
you or I aren't singularly going to make a difference in ratings, but a
"majority" of the people would. And will, I suspect.

I guess I'm just plain tired of bad manners from all "professional"
athletes. I mean, I'd give any one of my kids a serious tune-up if he/she
acted like some of these "prima-donnas" do. I'm tired of "pros" being
revered and looked up to because they play a game better than the average
joe. I'm tired of listening to someone cry because they play a game and
"only" earn $1,500,000.00 per year!

Since when does a big paycheck mean that people should accept boorish
behavior? I do not have anything against Mike Iconnelli, I think he really
knows how to find and catch fish. But I cannot stand watching his
grandstanding antics. If he comes on the tv, I switch channels, it's that
simple. And, if I was one of his sponsors, I'd have done the same darned
thing that Ranger did.

I'm sorry, but I feel that when you're playing at that level, you SHOULD be
held to a higher standard of behavior. Like it or not, you become a role
model for all those aspiring to become a professional. What is that
teaching our youth? That it's all right to be a total jerk because there's
a lot of money involved? That you can totally blow off responsibility for
your actions and it's ok because "I'm a pro!"??? I don't care if it's a pro
angler, a football, baseball or basketball player. There's just no excuse
for bad manners and if that means I'm a "purist", then I guess I'll have to
politely live with that!
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

"Jerry Barton" wrote in message
news:xOGdnar43c7dpZvZnZ2dnUVZ_sGdnZ2d@wideopenwest .com...
Are you forgetting the episode with Martin last year, not having a license
for the touney, but yet he didn't DQ himself, nor did the Tourney Reps.

I didn't agree with that decision either. I thought that if you broke any
of the fish & game laws of the state that the event was being held in, you
were disqualified. Oh well, different rules for different fools........
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in
message ...

"Jerry Barton" wrote in message
news:xOGdnar43c7dpZvZnZ2dnUVZ_sGdnZ2d@wideopenwest .com...
Are you forgetting the episode with Martin last year, not having a license
for the touney, but yet he didn't DQ himself, nor did the Tourney Reps.

I didn't agree with that decision either. I thought that if you broke any
of the fish & game laws of the state that the event was being held in, you
were disqualified. Oh well, different rules for different fools........
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

Not in FLW's world. Especially since he was running a Ranger. Try that in a
Triton or a Champion. Rmenber the HP plate issue? I came out good on that. I
wrote my feeling to Crown Royal his sponsor wrap and they sent me a gift
package worth about $50 for my concern. ;-) They also dropped their fishing
sponsorship but that was due to their switch to Nascar. Joe Z.

Now with all of that said, I'd like everyone to be honest with me. This
stuff that just spews from my mind onto this forum, have these become
the post where everyone rolls their eyes the instant they see my name
next to a post? I liked the idea of a forum where I could express my
views, but I never wanted to get to a point where people saw me as a
freak or crazy. I always feel when I post these things I am
contributing something to the group, maybe a different view or angle.

Chris, you have IMO come across as very passionate on this subject, but
I've never rolled my eyes at your name, and I've read all that you
wrote. Keep posting, if someone doesn't like it, they don't have to
read it.

I have no problem with this Chris. You have a dream to make it to the
top of professional bass fishing and that is great. I think all this
is doing is showing you some of the realities that are involved in it.
At that level it is more about marketing than it is about who is the
best fisherman. ESPN only owns BASS to sell advertising space on TV
and in the newsprint. I'm guessing that you saw the article in the
latest BassMaster about BASS holding a school to teach the pro's how to
present themselves in front of the TV cameras. Your right in that it
is a show where they need to create different personalities for the
viewers to relate to. With the kind of money involved now they
probably don't have a choice as it's all about ratings. If you still
want to pursue it then you just need to understand the business end of
things and accept it. If not maybe you need to set your goals at a
level that is still more about fishing than about sponsers and TV
ratings. Good luck during the up coming season and hopefully I will
see you at the NWC.

Hey, maybe we can get Steve to drop a hint when he goes to pick up his 'Cat. What do you think? Ike in a Fast Cat?????....

--
Sandy Joren
I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message ...
SNIP

I personally think this is a dumb move by Ranger. Sure, they're upholding
some implied "honor in the sport deal", but Ike isn't going to go away. In
fact, I imagine that boat makers are lining up to take their place as his
boat sponsor today. He lost his temper, on TV. That's a far, far cry from
infractions seen around the rest of the sporting world. I say because of
this, and Ranger's actions yesterday, that Ike will come out on top of this
latest buzz. And I'm like Bob on this, I'm indifferent on Ike. Not really a
fan, but I also do not dislike him.

Gary,

You definitely summed up my views quickly and completely. My goals have
shifted to focus more on fishing as an industry more than a living in
competition. How can I contribute to fishing as a whole, that is my new
question, and goal.

Thanks again Gary, and I will see you at the NWC (the whole time this
time). I really hope it ends up being on Boom!

Chris
gwilber wrote:
I have no problem with this Chris. You have a dream to make it to the
top of professional bass fishing and that is great. I think all this
is doing is showing you some of the realities that are involved in it.
At that level it is more about marketing than it is about who is the
best fisherman. ESPN only owns BASS to sell advertising space on TV
and in the newsprint. I'm guessing that you saw the article in the
latest BassMaster about BASS holding a school to teach the pro's how to
present themselves in front of the TV cameras. Your right in that it
is a show where they need to create different personalities for the
viewers to relate to. With the kind of money involved now they
probably don't have a choice as it's all about ratings. If you still
want to pursue it then you just need to understand the business end of
things and accept it. If not maybe you need to set your goals at a
level that is still more about fishing than about sponsers and TV
ratings. Good luck during the up coming season and hopefully I will
see you at the NWC.