Furby asked, so I will respond.
First, let me set a few things straight:
The concept of a spectator friendly version of the game was initially put forth when I founded the NPPL in 1992. Since most of the folks involved were uninterested in the concept (or were told to be uninterested), when I was shuffled off to Buffalo by some unnamed individuals, I took the idea with me.
It was presented to the public in 2000 at PaintFest. It was televised and viewed with great success and enjoyed many firsts, among them first national event at a major venue with indoor bathrooms, trade show, grass fields, etc. It aired nationally on Thanksgiving weekend and had good market share. Despite the fact that it was a new series, it was the third largest drawing event of 2000 (only world cup and IAO had more attending teams). It had just a little over 1000 PAYING spectators (5.00 at the gate). I think that should lay to rest any doubts anyone may have regarding my and my team's ability to host a successful event - despite whatever you may have heard elsewhere (and let me tell you, the character-assassination crap I've been subjected to since 1996 is second only to nothing I can think of off hand...)
Now for the meat and potatoes:
1. We were asked by Chuck Hendsch to 'hold off' on our Miami demo - despite the fact that we have pretty much everything we need in place to pull it off. Why, I don't know.
2. The BEST political and business move for those who are now out in the cold is, as quickly as possible put together an alternative: the ONLY people who will have any chips to play with next year will be those who are capable of taking market share from PLP, and that means - a viable televised format and associated league.
4. The history of professional sports in the United States is littered with the dried out husks of BIG league's who's lunch was eaten by little guys (NBA, NFL...)
5. My format is patented. I will not say anything more about that particular fact other than that the first sentence of this paragraph ought to be read 'between-the-lines'.
6. PaintFest and the introduction of the Davidson format was sponsored by Diablo. This fact should also be read 'b-t-l'
7. I find it interesting that the PLP announcement included a statement to the effect that there is only room on television for one league and that things are now 'locked down'; the last time I looked, there were about a gazillion INTERNATIONAL broadcasters and not a single one of them was owned or controlled by Dick Clark Productions. (In fact, not even DCP is owned by Dick Clark.....). That particular statement makes it sound - to me - as if those involved are VERY worried about someone stepping on their toes.
8. I, for one, will not be interested in a glorified version of center flag produced by the same people who brought us 'Dick Clark's Rockin New Year's Eve.....' the X-ball format has flaws which will come to the fore as the games begin to mean more. This last sentence should be read after referring back to paragraph #5. Obviously someone at the new 'PLP' is aware of this as well, given the veiled hints as to 'changes' in their press releases.
9. I think that the NPPL-Pure Promotions folks ought to be giving me a call - uspl@cfl.rr.com
10. I think that the NPPL-Pure Promotions folks ought to be giving me a call - uspl@cfl.rr.com
11. I think that the NPPL-Pure Promotions folks ought to be giving me a call - uspl@cfl.rr.com
I think that what Pete suggested in his original post is spot-on. Get together and do it NOW. I will support it in any way I can. If this nascent effort would like to use the Davidson format, I will be happy to discuss the possibility and will be happy to entertain ANY reasonable relationship with such an effort.
12. I think that the Millennium folks ought to be giving me a call - uspl@cfl.rr.com
13. I think that the Millennium folks ought to be giving me a call - uspl@cfl.rr.com
14. I think that the Millennium folks ought to be giving me a call - uspl@cfl.rr.com
15. The Davidson format (the USPL format was named for the new league; at the current time, because we don't want people to think that we are trying to take over everything, I refer to it as the 'Davidson format') has already PROVEN that it works in front of the camera. The slamming aspect can be left in or taken out - but it does make the best video. Perhaps most important of all, the Davidson format rewards team work, skill, athleticism and intelligence - a format that people like Pete will be able to excel at - even in their old age........
16. I would love to be a fly on the wall when the discussion takes place regarding exactly what was purchased by DCP: DO the existing franchises transfer over...? I wonder this in light of an historical occurrence involving paintball and television. Back in 1995, the signing of a deal for the Paintball Sports World Championship on ESPN was announced by a gentleman who was, at the time, the legal counsel for the NPPL and a promoter of some of the NPPL's tournaments and it sounded something like this: "I have just signed a deal with ESPN to televise paintball. Any member teams here who would like to participate, it will ONLY cost you $1250 entry fee....." Of course, all the member teams at the time thought that their legal counsel was negotiating with television on their behalf - but then, that's a different story now, isn't it.........
17. The Davidson format utilized 7 player SPECIFICALLY because I had identified it as the true international standard - in fact, I think Pete can back me up on that, if he remembers a telephone conversation we had on the subject about 4 years ago.
18. The format can be easily modified to meet whatever requirements may be put on the table.
19. Pete can also back me up when I say that I was instrumental in the development of the rules, seating, ranking and scheduling systems used by tournaments today. If anyone wants help in figuring out how to keep an international league straight - I've got about four alternatives already developed that you're welcome to.
20. Once again, I would like to emphasize the following: The only effective alternative is one which can play in front of the camera. Only another televised league will be able to counter and/or negotiate effectively with the PLP. I believe that my format is the best way to put the game on TV; obviously, the OTHER folks do too, since its obvious to anyone who has seen both that it is a poor copy. Once again, refer back to paragraph 5.
21. The format is available for use to the right people, with the right effort, with no prior constraints and no prior demands. Anyone who is interested, get in touch.
I don't know if I've said enough yet or not. Probably I have so far as some people are concerned. I wonder how DCP will feel when they realize they've purchased a pig in a poke? Not too badly - because it WON'T be a pig-in-a-poke UNLESS the people who routinely bitch, moan, complain and agitate finally get off their asses, figure out a way to work TOGETHER and do so in an open, professional, equitable (for all concerned) manner. We can all now see exactly what greed and heavy-handed politics get you when 'the good guys' remain silent - it gets you everything.
So long as the 'good guys' squabble amongst themselves over peanuts and continue to think that things will improve despite feeding the monster by giving it money on a regular basis, things will NOT get better, your ability to manuever will continually be reduced and you eventually have nothing.
Let me put this in a manner I am sure everyone will understand:
you and your teammate are on the fifty; your last cover guy has just been eliminated, there's 30 seconds left on the clock, the other team is up two to one and if you lose this game you are going home. If the two of you don't figure out - real quick - how to communicate cross-field, this game is OVER!
Questions? I have some answers and I have some solutions. Other people have contacts, other ideas and money. I would be more than happy to talk with any and all of you about how we can put it all together. In fact, come Monday, I'll be making a few phone calls myself.
Steve. (who is obviously either too stubbon, too stupid or too crazed to give up, even after 20 years of virtually uninterrupted paintball bull)
First, let me set a few things straight:
The concept of a spectator friendly version of the game was initially put forth when I founded the NPPL in 1992. Since most of the folks involved were uninterested in the concept (or were told to be uninterested), when I was shuffled off to Buffalo by some unnamed individuals, I took the idea with me.
It was presented to the public in 2000 at PaintFest. It was televised and viewed with great success and enjoyed many firsts, among them first national event at a major venue with indoor bathrooms, trade show, grass fields, etc. It aired nationally on Thanksgiving weekend and had good market share. Despite the fact that it was a new series, it was the third largest drawing event of 2000 (only world cup and IAO had more attending teams). It had just a little over 1000 PAYING spectators (5.00 at the gate). I think that should lay to rest any doubts anyone may have regarding my and my team's ability to host a successful event - despite whatever you may have heard elsewhere (and let me tell you, the character-assassination crap I've been subjected to since 1996 is second only to nothing I can think of off hand...)
Now for the meat and potatoes:
1. We were asked by Chuck Hendsch to 'hold off' on our Miami demo - despite the fact that we have pretty much everything we need in place to pull it off. Why, I don't know.
2. The BEST political and business move for those who are now out in the cold is, as quickly as possible put together an alternative: the ONLY people who will have any chips to play with next year will be those who are capable of taking market share from PLP, and that means - a viable televised format and associated league.
4. The history of professional sports in the United States is littered with the dried out husks of BIG league's who's lunch was eaten by little guys (NBA, NFL...)
5. My format is patented. I will not say anything more about that particular fact other than that the first sentence of this paragraph ought to be read 'between-the-lines'.
6. PaintFest and the introduction of the Davidson format was sponsored by Diablo. This fact should also be read 'b-t-l'
7. I find it interesting that the PLP announcement included a statement to the effect that there is only room on television for one league and that things are now 'locked down'; the last time I looked, there were about a gazillion INTERNATIONAL broadcasters and not a single one of them was owned or controlled by Dick Clark Productions. (In fact, not even DCP is owned by Dick Clark.....). That particular statement makes it sound - to me - as if those involved are VERY worried about someone stepping on their toes.
8. I, for one, will not be interested in a glorified version of center flag produced by the same people who brought us 'Dick Clark's Rockin New Year's Eve.....' the X-ball format has flaws which will come to the fore as the games begin to mean more. This last sentence should be read after referring back to paragraph #5. Obviously someone at the new 'PLP' is aware of this as well, given the veiled hints as to 'changes' in their press releases.
9. I think that the NPPL-Pure Promotions folks ought to be giving me a call - uspl@cfl.rr.com
10. I think that the NPPL-Pure Promotions folks ought to be giving me a call - uspl@cfl.rr.com
11. I think that the NPPL-Pure Promotions folks ought to be giving me a call - uspl@cfl.rr.com
I think that what Pete suggested in his original post is spot-on. Get together and do it NOW. I will support it in any way I can. If this nascent effort would like to use the Davidson format, I will be happy to discuss the possibility and will be happy to entertain ANY reasonable relationship with such an effort.
12. I think that the Millennium folks ought to be giving me a call - uspl@cfl.rr.com
13. I think that the Millennium folks ought to be giving me a call - uspl@cfl.rr.com
14. I think that the Millennium folks ought to be giving me a call - uspl@cfl.rr.com
15. The Davidson format (the USPL format was named for the new league; at the current time, because we don't want people to think that we are trying to take over everything, I refer to it as the 'Davidson format') has already PROVEN that it works in front of the camera. The slamming aspect can be left in or taken out - but it does make the best video. Perhaps most important of all, the Davidson format rewards team work, skill, athleticism and intelligence - a format that people like Pete will be able to excel at - even in their old age........
16. I would love to be a fly on the wall when the discussion takes place regarding exactly what was purchased by DCP: DO the existing franchises transfer over...? I wonder this in light of an historical occurrence involving paintball and television. Back in 1995, the signing of a deal for the Paintball Sports World Championship on ESPN was announced by a gentleman who was, at the time, the legal counsel for the NPPL and a promoter of some of the NPPL's tournaments and it sounded something like this: "I have just signed a deal with ESPN to televise paintball. Any member teams here who would like to participate, it will ONLY cost you $1250 entry fee....." Of course, all the member teams at the time thought that their legal counsel was negotiating with television on their behalf - but then, that's a different story now, isn't it.........
17. The Davidson format utilized 7 player SPECIFICALLY because I had identified it as the true international standard - in fact, I think Pete can back me up on that, if he remembers a telephone conversation we had on the subject about 4 years ago.
18. The format can be easily modified to meet whatever requirements may be put on the table.
19. Pete can also back me up when I say that I was instrumental in the development of the rules, seating, ranking and scheduling systems used by tournaments today. If anyone wants help in figuring out how to keep an international league straight - I've got about four alternatives already developed that you're welcome to.
20. Once again, I would like to emphasize the following: The only effective alternative is one which can play in front of the camera. Only another televised league will be able to counter and/or negotiate effectively with the PLP. I believe that my format is the best way to put the game on TV; obviously, the OTHER folks do too, since its obvious to anyone who has seen both that it is a poor copy. Once again, refer back to paragraph 5.
21. The format is available for use to the right people, with the right effort, with no prior constraints and no prior demands. Anyone who is interested, get in touch.
I don't know if I've said enough yet or not. Probably I have so far as some people are concerned. I wonder how DCP will feel when they realize they've purchased a pig in a poke? Not too badly - because it WON'T be a pig-in-a-poke UNLESS the people who routinely bitch, moan, complain and agitate finally get off their asses, figure out a way to work TOGETHER and do so in an open, professional, equitable (for all concerned) manner. We can all now see exactly what greed and heavy-handed politics get you when 'the good guys' remain silent - it gets you everything.
So long as the 'good guys' squabble amongst themselves over peanuts and continue to think that things will improve despite feeding the monster by giving it money on a regular basis, things will NOT get better, your ability to manuever will continually be reduced and you eventually have nothing.
Let me put this in a manner I am sure everyone will understand:
you and your teammate are on the fifty; your last cover guy has just been eliminated, there's 30 seconds left on the clock, the other team is up two to one and if you lose this game you are going home. If the two of you don't figure out - real quick - how to communicate cross-field, this game is OVER!
Questions? I have some answers and I have some solutions. Other people have contacts, other ideas and money. I would be more than happy to talk with any and all of you about how we can put it all together. In fact, come Monday, I'll be making a few phone calls myself.
Steve. (who is obviously either too stubbon, too stupid or too crazed to give up, even after 20 years of virtually uninterrupted paintball bull)
