Legacy out of NXL, LTZ to follow

[Beaker]

So then, what impact will this have...

Plus, it's been a long time coming but this year has been the toughest year ever for the Pros with more of them and less money to go around, plus many of those that get a deal haven't seen the thick end of the wedge.

It's a tough year...

 

[Bolter]

San Diego Legacy quit the NXL and Gary Shows in done with paintball
SD Legacy has quit the NXL. Oakland Blast will still be playing 7 man NPPL however. This is all i have for now and it has been comfirmed from Bob Harmon (NXLfan) that Gary Shows has quit paintball all together. No word on what Legacy is planning on doing. No word on the reason but im sure there will be an offical press release soon.

i wonder who will pick up the NXL guys from Legacy?

San Diego Legacy will no longer play NXL. Oakland Blast will still be doing 7 man NPPL. Gary Shows quit paintball. This is a fact!!!

Bob told me this weekend they were not going to play the NXL anymore due to lack of money.

it is true that legacy will not be attending anymore of the PSP/"nxl" this season. My dad is getting out paintball as well, he has spent a lot of his time and even more of his own money in this sport and has decided that it is no longer worth it for him. He has realized that he would like to spend his time with his family and his daughter who is about to turn 6. I think that in the long run without a company to care for and not getting any money out of the team it is just basically not a wise investment for him to stay in paintball any longer.

As far as the future of legacy i am not sure what that holds, we will be attending the NPPL's as Oakland Blast as most of you know but that is with bob long. Legacy for now is on hold. We hope that all the fans who have supported Legacy understand and will continue to support Blast.

Interesting for sure!

 

[Dannefaerd]

How can this not be being discussed more? In terms of portents of doom this appears to be one of the single largest items in recent time. (At least from the outside and in my largely antipodeans ignorance).

With the discussion in recent PGi’s and in various threads within these hallowed forums it appears (from my perspective) that the much vaunted and threatened rationalisation at the top is starting to happen.

And the bite is happening to the independent (i.e. non-factory) teams.

In terms of logistics it appears logical that teams withdraw from the X-Ball option and concentrate purely on NPPL. It’s is significantly more expensive (as everyone agrees) to field teams in what has become the poster boy for the future of the sport. But what does this mean in broader terms?

Who will the bite come down on next – when sponsors investment does not even come close to return … and where results will become even more paramount. With the downturn in the industry, and the focus on rationalising cost (as all corporates do during a slump in sales) some teams must be feeling very nervous.

A part of me would love to know how paintball companies measure results based on investment in teams. Specifically how much additional product having the teams “on the books” sells … justifying the investment. If I were a team owner these types of questions would be forming a significant part of my marketing proposal to my sponsors – to continue to validate MY team keeping the piece of the budget.

And from a wider perspective – what can the PSP do to reduce the cost of participation in X-Ball to encourage teams to stay … and stem the flood before it begins.

C’mon guys & gals – let’s discuss!

 

[Markie C]

You say that they are feeling the site the none factory teams ??

weren't they the factory team for new gun from bob long i am sure they where cause of the videos when they first came out maybe they are not selling enough to compete with other makes ie eclipse,sp,dye ???

not sure i have no proof of this just guess work.

 

[Dannefaerd]

Sorry - by Factory Teams I am meaning Ironmen (DYE), Philly (Smart Parts), etc.

 

[Beaker]

Markie - the gun thing wasn't his biggest sponsor, it's things like paint and entry that's the killer.

And it's confirmed by Bob he's not going, this isn't a rumor.

Martin, you're right, while it's a long while coming to get to this point it's not as if there wasn't signs. It's also worse than we've known for a long time.

It also raises a lot of questions.

1) What'll be the effect on the leagues because the PSP is industry owned, it reflects on them, and as you say the NPPL is "cheaper" at the moment at least.

2) who'll be next? these two aren't the only ones suffering and at want point does an adjustment become a collapse.

3) What's the root cause? Was it over stretching, bad business, industry troubles, lack of expected sales or what? because each of them raises their own questions...

 

[Dannefaerd]

And it's confirmed by Bob he's not going, this isn't a rumor.

So Bob is keeping a team in there? So net reduction in the NXL ranks is only one team (LTZ)? Or have I misunderstood your reference above?

What'll be the effect on the leagues because the PSP is industry owned, it reflects on them, and as you say the NPPL is "cheaper" at the moment at least.

If enough of the independent teams drop out then it lowers the stature of the "top level" - you effectively head back to the problem when the NXL was a closed league.

The NPPL seems to be a better option (on the outside at least) than PSP at the moment. Lower cost of ownership to be a part - a clear path of promotion for the Pro/Semi Pro team (3 down/3 up each season) ... and a nice public presence in Shawn Walker than PPP/Chuck never had before. It's a pity that X is so much more fun to play

who'll be next? these two aren't the only ones suffering and at want point does an adjustment become a collapse.

I'd say another two teams would be a mini-collapse. How long can Ultimate, Hurricanes (or even Trauma) keep going based on current results ... before sponsor expectation catches up with them.

The million dollar question is - does X-Factor and Avalanche have the budget to step up .... they would seem the most logical choices at the moment. Or do they do the smart thing (since they're out of the running for NXL series titles if they do step up) and wait to see what's going to happen for next season.

What's the root cause? Was it over stretching, bad business, industry troubles, lack of expected sales or what? because each of them raises their own questions...

Doesn't it just. Rationalisation (in terms of # of pro/semi-pro) is happening now ... and players HAVE to come to the realisation that the $100k deals are just NOT going to happen. Getting paid to pay is going to be a pipe dream at best for a little while yet.

Now is the time for leagues to discuss options for the good of the game (cough, cough).

I've got some ideas - but let's see where this discussion goes to start with.

 

[Markie C]

Yeah i hear you both but if that team where a flag ship team which i think they where, wouldn't bob long do any thing to keep them in that league ??

I really don't know what i am talking about but it sounds interesting that's why i am giving a opinion on it.

I thought it was a flag ship team for bob long any way like dye has got iron men on so on ?

 

[Robbo]

I predicted all this and much more besides and this is but the tip of the iceberg..there will be more to follow I'm afraid as the harsh economic realities of supporting tourney ball smash right into the faces of the guys who now control budgets ........watch this space !

 

[Markie C]

Well why cant they be like the rest of us and pay for there stuff then or entrys????

yeah i know it must cost more to play there events but paint is cheeper and they must have more sponsorship then the rest of us any way so why not just play it, if pro players go on about this is my life and so on and so forth then grow a pair and start playing then..

dont know where that came from.