Fantasy Fishing FLW by StraightTalk awards more than $500,000 in cash and prizes. - Photo FLW Outdoors
Another record-breaking season for the biggest contest in fantasy sports began last week with the start of the new season of FLW Fantasy Fishing 2011.
Every year about $1 billion is spent on fantasy sports. Of the near 30 million Americans playing, fantasy is the most popular fantasy game with about 21 million participating.
“Fantasy Fishing is something we have put a lot of time and effort into and feel it is one of our best undertakings,” said Irwin Jacobs, chairman and CEO FLW Outdoors and the creators of FLW Fantasy Fishing. “The participation from the fans is unbelievable, and with the game being played all over the world, it has helped build the sport and bring recognition to the anglers and our partners.”
Players can sign up by visiting www.fantasyfishing.com. It is free to play, but players can benefit by signing up Player’s Advantage, which gives them access to additional information and resources.
The 2011 FLW Fantasy Fishing season will include 10 tournaments, with each offering more than $25,000 in prizes. The grand prize winner at the end of the season will take away $100,000 with the overall second-place winner receiving a Ranger Z-520 boat and Ranger Trail Trailer, plus two motors and motor batteries.
“Fantasy Fishing has proven to be one of the best things to happen to our sport as it allows fans worldwide to be much closer to the action on the water and have a vested interest in the outcome of the tournaments, as well as win phenomenal prizes,” said Trisha Blake, president of marketing at FLW Outdoors. “We launched this game with the anticipation that it would bring new fans to fishing and have a significant impact on the sport, and it has succeeded even beyond our goals.”
The typical fantasy sports customer is a white-collar male that makes about $90,000 a year. Fantasy fishing is hoping to capitalize with fan popularity just as fantasy games have swept Major League Baseball, NBA, NASCAR and the NHL.