EXL for 2005 ??????????

[Robbo]

For anybody holding out or hoping that the EXL will survive, or at least be re-invented, I wouldn't hold ya breath.
As most people know, the survival (and the existence) of the EXL was and always will be determined by the income streams (real or potential) of the NXL.
And it was this potential (not real) that had the Euro promoters and teams all scurrying to invest in the EXL for 2004.
It was expensive, and if Richmond had not delved deep into his pocket to virtually pay for the majority of expenditure the promoters incurred in 2004, I doubt the Millennium would have had the resolve to invest all that was needed for the EXL, no way.

And so, as I have said on a few occasions before, we come to the point where 2005 beckons and teams would like to know what's going on or least have some idea what might go on.

The Euro teams who could venture Stateside for an NPPL place have done so, those who didn't are worried, and rightly so, their options are closing down rapidly and at the end of their tunnel is not an international stage but a European one devoid of consistent top international talent.

The NXL, as always, holds the key to European's XBall survival.
If there ain't a TV deal, then it all comes a tumblin' down.

The guys on the NXL have just had a recent meeeting in Nemecolin and as far as I know, there is no specific contract that holds anybody to an extended TV coverage of the NXL; it looks as though it's a contingency agreement.
The idea is to put on TV one of the most exciting games of the NXL on primetime viewing and see how it flies, if it gets the ratings, then they will consider what to do next, if it doesn't, then the NXL is dead.
This is not a short term scenario that will give anybody the incentive or confidence to invest in either the NXL and least of all the EXL.
Mid-term prospects are obviously now hostage to rating reports and all investors will wait for thsoe reports and consequent decisions to have been made by Clark and Co.
Timescale on this?
Who knows?

Under these conditions and barring any miracles, there won’t be any EXL next season, there is maybe room for a couple of XBall events which the promoters might want to put on to keep their irons in the fire but that’s about it guys.
A potentially sorry end to what promised to be, undisputedly the world’s most exciting and promising paintball format.

 

[jotajotaZ]

Do you think a one-of kind of show would work? Will Joe understand what's going on or will he just be confused and grab the remote?

I have not watched XBall with a nonplayer so I don't know if the format is more understandable than 7man, but I know that everytime I watch 7man with a nonplayer I have to explain what's going on. Is XBall different in that? Scoring is less confusing but I'm not sure about gameplay.

 

[Buddha 3]

Scoring is indeed a lot simpler in Xball, but we still use a weird method of scoring. We need to get rid of that silly flag, which more often than not still seems to be a mere afterthought in both regular ball and Xball.
I doubt the show will be popular without any proper explaining that goes with it.

I also wonder what the commentary will be like. Will it be along the lines of Will Rock's ebonics, or will they use some conservative voice over type stuff? I guess it depends on the target audience.

Anyway, the future looks bleak right now. My prediction is that we will remain a fringe sport for a long time yet.

 

[Matski]

I think it's hard to judge how a pilot show will be taken, many tv series have been made despite strong doubts over the pilot show. If any audience is going to take an interest in paintball it will be American, so there is some hope.........but I guess it depends on what channels, which day and time this stuff gets shown and if it's done right, not half hashed crap with cheesey dancers....

I think it's better off aiming at kids, that way you don't need to over worry about things like rules, the ones that watch stuff like WWF etc will find people diving around and shooting each other up pretty cool without knowing much about it...they'll learn the details later...Kids are fickle, if you aim at Trucker Joe whos been watching his fav baseball series since he was on his dads knee you aint gonna get him to flick over for NXL cos it might be good...

edit: and what Jay said

 

[BOOGIE]

Id like to thank all of the players of the EXL and the owners for inviting Leon Miller, Dan Fagan and I ( Boogie) to come over and help officiate the EXL.It was a grand adventure and I wish it would continue but it dosnt seem likely.Now in my own personal opinion the chances of a tv show for paintball are slim to none.Why you ask let us use our melons a bit. We are up to our eyeballs in a war vs terrorism and a show with young men with markers(to the public guns)shooting one another has about as much chance as floating as a 747 floating on water.I find this kinda sad but the truth is the general public isnt ready for paintball yet if they ever will be.I hope im wrong and the public will accept it and become interested enogh to merit tv deals and the like but i feel we are still the guys playin american football with the leather helmets and no pads.

BOOGIE NXL EXL Referee

 

[Duncster]

Is it the actual cost to the promoter, or the cost to the player which is killing Xball?

Someone mentioned a while ago (Gaff, I think... too lazy to check...) that entry into an open Xball tournment costs not alot more overall than a 7 man millenium... is this the case? How much paint does the average EXL/NXL team shoot in a game, compared to 7man?

Even if the "EXL" dies, we need an Xball type format to continue in some guise or another. Is it at all possible that another, independant league could start up?

Perhaps it's time to abandon the 3-day event thing and start up something like a soccer style league format for the elite, where you play one big match every week/2 weeks, along with a few other teams at a mini-event. The event overheads would shrink considerably, as there would only be 1 or two fields per event.

But then, would teams at the moment be willing to travel to other countries in Europe to play 1 game every 2 or 3 weeks?

There must be some big brains out there who can put forward a decent suggestion...

D.

 

[Sherman]

Originally posted by Robbo
The Euro teams who could venture Stateside for an NPPL place have done so, those who didn't are worried, and rightly so, their options are closing down rapidly and at the end of their tunnel is not an international stage but a European one devoid of consistent top international talent.

Options are closing to NPPL, but how is that different from this season or earlier seasons? Not many teams have travelled to states on a regular basis anyway.

And what are the NPPL pro teams going to play next season? NPPL only? I believe that won't be enough for them until NPPL doubles the number of events or players are paid enough $$$$ to play NPPL only. They will (hopefully) look for PSP and Millennium tournaments.

I really don't believe this won't affect euros too much, except of the Russians who don't have a NPPL ranking.

 

[Baca Loco]

Boogster,
I think you are wrong, at least in part. I strongly doubt there is any significant resistance to a "gun sport" regardless of the world situation. Go to any Walmart and look what they're selling this season--camo--not in the sporting goods department but in back to school for boys and in the men's department as everyday casual wear.
What I wonder at is this notion of a one shot deal. Nobody can watch what they don't know exists. The "success" or "failure" of any NXL presentation will probably depend on how extensively it's promoted in advance.

 

[Ronniepimpstar]

If the EXL does fail to continue next season, then would we see the return of the XBall Nations cup?!

Was an awesome event to watch and we really need to keep X-Ball in the game!!!

 

[Mario]

as if the millenium would actually listen to the players voices nick

disclaimer: above comment was with tongue planted firmly in cheek