Pfft. Just put Jerry Braun back in charge of everything and all will be well.
Right?
As for the rest, my opinion means little in this August group, but I'll give it to you anyhow: As diverting as it is to read these debates regarding reunification, it's my opinion that outside investment is going to drive how things go within the sport, at least in the short term. The landscape is getting ready to change in a big way yet again, and this will have direct implications as the new people get settled in and take a hard look at what their investment in teams and tournaments is getting them. I think that they'll find the return lacking, and look elsewhere (or perhaps different methods) in investing their money and sponsorships.
Furthermore, I feel that this outside investment that thus far everyone seems to be willfully ignoring as a factor will also lead to one of the leagues going the way of the dodo bird. No names or organizations just yet, only because I don't know how heavily invested certain companies are invested in either of the two 'main' leagues.
But who knows...I'll stick to reporting the news and leave the rest to my betters.
Furbs, you may well stick to the facts and leave informed speculation for your 'betters' as you describe them but you have actually hinted at a few things there and done a bit of speculation yourself
I think I know what you are referring to as being the precursor to these changes but I am not aware of any white knight outside sponsor that could profoundly change the nature of our game on the back of this potential change.
If there is one, it can only be connected to the organisation and initiative you are hinting at but let's flesh this out a little because I think people may well get a little frustrated with all the 'hints' going on here and no real meat.
Well, that is if we are talking about the same thing here; if not, c'est la vie
Whilst the NPPL TV production was a quantum leap in terms of quality and created a positive reaction both within and outside of Paintball, the recent Smart Parts production seems to have taken the lead in that it has concentrated hard on the sporting nature of the production and tried to focus on the exciting and defining aspects of our game.
Things like close up shots of eliminations and bunker-runs etc and with 16 cameras churning out the footage, the editors were allegedly able to come up with some real kick-ass footage that quantum leap-frogged all previous productions.
The reaction from ESPN was extremely positive in that they offset some of the production expenditure SP had incurred in a financial gesture that may well have profound implications for Paintball world wide.
If this alleged gesture is true then it realigns my cynical side and opens up the possibility, leastwise in my head, that we might actually get on TV, I ain't holding my breath tho, well not until I have seen it anyway.
This see-saw world of Paintball we seem to be inhabiting at the moment is very frustrating for us, that's players and industry alike but for the parties involved, people like the NPPL, and PSP and the SPL guys, it must be a frikkin nightmare because soooo much is riding on everything.
If it goes well for you one minute, necessarily it then undermines the others; the pendulum swings back and emotions then polarise the other way as carpets are pulled and back balances flex...it's all a heady mixture of frustration and apprehension and nobody can see where it's gonna end up, least of all the people involved, which is pretty ironic really.
If an outside sponsor was waiting in the wings to see which league consolidated its position by securing a meaningful TV deal then they would have to sit and wait a little longer but I would think there are some nervous assses sitting on seats both sides of the league divide.
