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Memphis, Ten. – What does an NBA franchise like the Memphis Grizzlies have to do with professional bass fishing? Well, if you are the Memphis Grizzlies, the two sports go hand in hand with the Memphis area.
The BASS ZONE was contacted by BASS Elite Series pro Mark Menendez of Paducah, Ky. Who was on his way to FedEx
Forum on Thursday March 1, only he was not en-route to see the Grizzlies take on the Utah Jazz. Menendez said his visit to Memphis was to take part in one of two events called Sportsman’s Nights in the Tennessee Department
of Environment and Conservation’s TDEC Green Room.
The two seminar series featuring Menendez and his Strike King teammate Denny Brauer are a part of a collaborative effort between The Grizzlies, Strike King Lures and Sportsman’s Warehouse.
“It was a really cool deal,” Menendez said after the event was over. “The room seats around 250 people and they all came in a little early to learn more about fishing. I really enjoyed the experience and got to promote Strike King and my other sponsors as well.”
Chris Brown, Consumer Relations Manager of Strike King said that the events, which started last year with an appearance by Brauer, have been tremendous for Strike King. “It’s an opportunity to support the local sportsman,” Brown said. “It is also an opportunity to show of the Strike King brand to people who may not be familiar with the Strike King brand.”
The BASS ZONE also spoke to Chris Bork, the Director of Corporate Partnerships for the Grizzlies, who said that the events are great ways to add value to the sportsman and their families. “We have a lot of fans in the area that are hunters and anglers,” said Bork. “These are informational seminars that can relate to basketball fans and outdoorsman and women alike. They truly are unique, and have been tremendous for the Grizzlies, and the sponsors are happy as well; a true example of a win – win situation.”
While Menendez’ event occurred on March 1, Brauer’s is coming on Monday March 24. Anyone looking for information can visit The Grizzlies’ on the web at:
www.nba.com:80/grizzlies/promotions/sportsmans_nights.html
Bork said the response has been steady leading up to the event, “There have been a lot of calls for these, and the latest one with Denny is getting a lot of attention,” Bork said, who is an angler himself. “Mark and Denny are great anglers, and true professionals; I have enjoyed them myself, and am looking forward to more of them.”
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