I've already done tha' couple posts ago! Remember when you wrote that there will be only 18 names on the Pro list next year....
Legion hitting the US
- Thread starter feltcher
- Start date
Baca
TV is sure not a major factor in the whole picture. Let's say you're playing for a Pro team right now (are you really?). As such, your main objective should be to increase the commercial value of your team, in order to get more exposure, attention from sponsors, blablabla..
In the context of a restricted Pro division, your only choice is to work your a.. off to get into one of the 17th spots. Simply, because these are going to be the teams that get the bigger parts of the cake. Now, of course if TV comes in into the picture, then the cake is gonna get way bigger. But if not, it doesn't really matter, you'll still have to make it into the 17th!
After all the money Sergei has invested into his team, all the sacrifices the NXL teams have done, the simple fact they are still turning their back to the NPPL should tell us that they know something we don't.. Should they have any doubts about the NXL success, they will be playing in Madrid right now....
TV is sure not a major factor in the whole picture. Let's say you're playing for a Pro team right now (are you really?
). As such, your main objective should be to increase the commercial value of your team, in order to get more exposure, attention from sponsors, blablabla..In the context of a restricted Pro division, your only choice is to work your a.. off to get into one of the 17th spots. Simply, because these are going to be the teams that get the bigger parts of the cake. Now, of course if TV comes in into the picture, then the cake is gonna get way bigger. But if not, it doesn't really matter, you'll still have to make it into the 17th!
After all the money Sergei has invested into his team, all the sacrifices the NXL teams have done, the simple fact they are still turning their back to the NPPL should tell us that they know something we don't.. Should they have any doubts about the NXL success, they will be playing in Madrid right now....
TV this, TV that. Why does nobody ever stipulate COMPETENT TV? So many of the attempts at paintball on TV are homemade looking and more like a sideshow than an actual main, prime time sports event. It needs credible videography done by people who know what they're looking at AND have major league pro experience, with commentary to match, instead of 6 dweebs who just got out of a bong smoke filled Volkswagon van. I'm talking ABC, CBS, and ESPN grade people, and none of the wasting time intro to paintball for dummies junk in front of it. Real, timely, sharp, effective coverage and commentary that flows and looks just like MLB, NFL, or NHL games. Don't even start on the whole blog on "Oh, well...uh...paintball can't be done like that" excuses and rubbish. Total garbage. It can be done, but nobody who actually can do it right has been brought in because nobody has cared enough or had the balls to fork out the cash, make the deals, and do business in a true professional manner with true professional standards.
The much hyped "Sports Illustrated photographer" at IAO didn't have a damn clue what he was looking at and was shooting 35mm film, 100 ISO slide film at that, light metering constantly--hardly at all what would be called a first line A list sports shooter. He'd never photoed a paintball event, hadn't even been to one, didn't know what to expect, and I can tell you for damn sure he didn't just step off the sidelines from the Packers, Bulls, Yankees, or Rangers either or he'd have been carrying two 1D Mark II's instead of a late 80's T90 and an EOS 3. (For you non-photographically educated, think rookie woods team stepping onto a field with stock class Phantoms going up against Strange with their new Shockers, and don't even think up some old school cinderella story crap.) That was just embarassing.
For f***'s sake, we need to get it done right!!!!!!!! Every time we get these half baked attempts at it, it wastes time and money and makes us look more and more like a joke. No more of this humpty dumpty halfwit crap and no more lame excuses.
The much hyped "Sports Illustrated photographer" at IAO didn't have a damn clue what he was looking at and was shooting 35mm film, 100 ISO slide film at that, light metering constantly--hardly at all what would be called a first line A list sports shooter. He'd never photoed a paintball event, hadn't even been to one, didn't know what to expect, and I can tell you for damn sure he didn't just step off the sidelines from the Packers, Bulls, Yankees, or Rangers either or he'd have been carrying two 1D Mark II's instead of a late 80's T90 and an EOS 3. (For you non-photographically educated, think rookie woods team stepping onto a field with stock class Phantoms going up against Strange with their new Shockers, and don't even think up some old school cinderella story crap.) That was just embarassing.
For f***'s sake, we need to get it done right!!!!!!!! Every time we get these half baked attempts at it, it wastes time and money and makes us look more and more like a joke. No more of this humpty dumpty halfwit crap and no more lame excuses.
Baca
At the moment, on the NXL front, things look bleak.
There has been and will not be (in the short term) any significant TV coverage of the NXL, certainly not enough to sustain the franchise base it currently enjoys.
The only saviour that I can foresee is a white knight investor (outside sponsor) and I believe this is where the focus for the NXL has now shifted.
We are apparently awaiting a statement from the NXL to this end.
But, and it's a big but, any potential investor thinking about pluggin significant monies into the NXL must be assured of TV coverage and timeframe and as this is not even forthcoming for the current investors, I doubt any potential investor is gonna come in on a wing, a prayer and a promise, it just ain't gonna happen.
As I see it, Dick Clark may well want to see the NXL on TV but either he doesn't want it enough or the networks he is gonna sell it to, don't want it or won't commision it.
As for why the NXL teams haven't played Madrid, well perhaps they feel they could accumulate enough points in playing in the last three NPPL's and maybe some will play Mallaga if things look marginal.
As for Sergey ?
Well, with the sort of money he's got, anything's possible
But I will let him know you are concerned as he is callin me in about an hour or so
Feltch - I think Sergey made a mistake in not picking up his NPPL options and I also think, the NXL teams have made a similar mistake tho there options were relatively limited in only being able to play the last few NPPL's.Originally posted by feltcher
TV is sure not a major factor in the whole picture. Let's say you're playing for a Pro team right now (are you really?
In the context of a restricted Pro division, your only choice is to work your a.. off to get into one of the 17th spots. Simply, because these are going to be the teams that get the bigger parts of the cake. Now, of course if TV comes in into the picture, then the cake is gonna get way bigger. But if not, it doesn't really matter, you'll still have to make it into the 17th!
After all the money Sergei has invested into his team, all the sacrifices the NXL teams have done, the simple fact they are still turning their back to the NPPL should tell us that they know something we don't.. Should they have any doubts about the NXL success, they will be playing in Madrid right now....
At the moment, on the NXL front, things look bleak.
There has been and will not be (in the short term) any significant TV coverage of the NXL, certainly not enough to sustain the franchise base it currently enjoys.
The only saviour that I can foresee is a white knight investor (outside sponsor) and I believe this is where the focus for the NXL has now shifted.
We are apparently awaiting a statement from the NXL to this end.
But, and it's a big but, any potential investor thinking about pluggin significant monies into the NXL must be assured of TV coverage and timeframe and as this is not even forthcoming for the current investors, I doubt any potential investor is gonna come in on a wing, a prayer and a promise, it just ain't gonna happen.
As I see it, Dick Clark may well want to see the NXL on TV but either he doesn't want it enough or the networks he is gonna sell it to, don't want it or won't commision it.
As for why the NXL teams haven't played Madrid, well perhaps they feel they could accumulate enough points in playing in the last three NPPL's and maybe some will play Mallaga if things look marginal.
As for Sergey ?
Well, with the sort of money he's got, anything's possible
But I will let him know you are concerned as he is callin me in about an hour or so
1. The fact that one team left the NXL and three others have begun playing NPPL events in addition to NXL should indicate how confident they are that a TV deal is imminent. The NXL players I know have no more facts supporting, nor confidence in, a television deal coming soon. Now, maybe I am talking to peons (in fact, I am talking to peons), but I have a hard time believing that the great and secret show is about to begin and none but a select few know about it.
2. The Pro Captains I have chatted with are absolutely supporting the NPPL's limiting the Pro division to 18 teams in 2005. And that includes at least two team owners who's teams' chances of making the cut is not promising. I support the limitation of the pro division, and that won't change if the 'Canes are ranked 13th or 23rd at season's end. It hurts competition to have 24 pro teams show up at an event, and have 25% of them regularly dropping games to novices and amateurs. I don't begrudge anyone the opportunity to play pro, and I don't blame anyone for taking their shot this year, the last year they can. Hell, that's what we're doing! However, it really does mess things up to have such a great disparity of talent in the division.
3. There will be other options for teams left out of the NPPL pro division. The PSP will continue to exist, and will provide classy events with competitive prizes and solid competition, just as they do this year. Its not like the teams left out of the pro's will be banished from competitive paintball. Further, it has not been determined (at least not to my knowledge) how the classification will be managed post 2005. The NPPL website states, "At the end of the 2005 Season a number of Teams yet to be decided from the bottom of the Pro Division will be relegated to Division 1 with a number of Teams being promoted up from Division 1 to the Pro Division.". So a three or four year wait won't be because of a bottleneck, it'll be because of a lack of performance.
4. I don't think TV plays a huge role in the NPPL's decision. In fact, I have never given it the slightest consideration until reading about it in this thread. The decision stands on its own merit: Enforce competitive standards; only the best play pro.
jeff
2. The Pro Captains I have chatted with are absolutely supporting the NPPL's limiting the Pro division to 18 teams in 2005. And that includes at least two team owners who's teams' chances of making the cut is not promising. I support the limitation of the pro division, and that won't change if the 'Canes are ranked 13th or 23rd at season's end. It hurts competition to have 24 pro teams show up at an event, and have 25% of them regularly dropping games to novices and amateurs. I don't begrudge anyone the opportunity to play pro, and I don't blame anyone for taking their shot this year, the last year they can. Hell, that's what we're doing! However, it really does mess things up to have such a great disparity of talent in the division.
3. There will be other options for teams left out of the NPPL pro division. The PSP will continue to exist, and will provide classy events with competitive prizes and solid competition, just as they do this year. Its not like the teams left out of the pro's will be banished from competitive paintball. Further, it has not been determined (at least not to my knowledge) how the classification will be managed post 2005. The NPPL website states, "At the end of the 2005 Season a number of Teams yet to be decided from the bottom of the Pro Division will be relegated to Division 1 with a number of Teams being promoted up from Division 1 to the Pro Division.". So a three or four year wait won't be because of a bottleneck, it'll be because of a lack of performance.
4. I don't think TV plays a huge role in the NPPL's decision. In fact, I have never given it the slightest consideration until reading about it in this thread. The decision stands on its own merit: Enforce competitive standards; only the best play pro.
jeff
Re: Baca
Cool, he is gonna feel a lot better...... yea right...Originally posted by Robbo
Feltch - I think Sergey made a mistake in not picking up his NPPL options and I also think, the NXL teams have made a similar mistake tho there options were relatively limited in only being able to play the last few NPPL's.
I do too... considering that most of these teams had the finances to play both leagues...
As for why the NXL teams haven't played Madrid, well perhaps they feel they could accumulate enough points in playing in the last three NPPL's and maybe some will play Mallaga if things look marginal.
Like Legacy would think that???
As for Sergey ?
Well, with the sort of money he's got, anything's possible
But I will let him know you are concerned as he is callin me in about an hour or so
Baca
The history of tourney ball is totally contrary in that virtually every effort has been made in the past to satisfy the corporate sponsors and walk the sometimes fine line between business self-interest and competition. So whatever the motive for this restricted Pro division it isn't predicated on any model we have seen thus far in PB. All I'm saying.
KO--the SI photog still hasn't seen Paintball.
I certainly understand why the teams could see a need to be part of the restricted Pro list but you didn't address why the promotor thinks this is both necessary and a virtue. A) It means teams will be turned away or forced to play in a lower division making the results less competitive and B) with fewer Pro teams there will undoubtedly be industry sponsors whose teams are left out.Originally posted by feltcher
TV is sure not a major factor in the whole picture. Let's say you're playing for a Pro team right now (are you really?
The history of tourney ball is totally contrary in that virtually every effort has been made in the past to satisfy the corporate sponsors and walk the sometimes fine line between business self-interest and competition. So whatever the motive for this restricted Pro division it isn't predicated on any model we have seen thus far in PB. All I'm saying.
KO--the SI photog still hasn't seen Paintball.
Re: Baca
Paul, you reffing that tourney at Gator next weekend?
EDIT ADDED: Geez, Dale. I didn't even know you were there (ya should'a holla'ed at me or something)--but yes, I was, on Sunday, hanging out in VIP section but I was working, too. Kinda. Look for interview with Cypress Hill's B Real in upcoming issue of PGI.
Haven't talked to Tim about it but if Matt from VL has practice I expect I'd be available.
TFP
I daresay that was in Denver...where Baca was hanging out in the VIP area while us poor slugs who slog it out on the 'net were in the Media Area taking notes and slaving away.....
Paul, you reffing that tourney at Gator next weekend?
EDIT ADDED: Geez, Dale. I didn't even know you were there (ya should'a holla'ed at me or something)--but yes, I was, on Sunday, hanging out in VIP section but I was working, too.
Kinda. Look for interview with Cypress Hill's B Real in upcoming issue of PGI. Haven't talked to Tim about it but if Matt from VL has practice I expect I'd be available.
TFP
Baca
I can see several reasons why PP would try to set up a classification system based on restricted divisions (if this is applied to the Pro division, I personnaly don't see why it couldn't be applied to the lower divisions in the near future).
1) It legitimates the whole sport, both inside, and outside. If you sometimes go on other forums (and I know you do ), then you know the countless times players bash on lower Pro teams, blaming them for paying their way to the higher division instead of deserving it. From an inside sponsor point vue, it will now really mean something when you'll say :"please, sponsor my team, we are in the Pro division". Along the same lines, it is easy to imagine why outside sponsors will like that as well : since they know sh... about our beloved sport, they want immediate insurance that teams they are going to sponsor are indeed amongst the best in the buisness.
2)Antoher reason could be a way of pumping up the number of participating teams at events. Well, at least this is what's happening right now. If you are in a Pro team, and still want to be on a Pro team next year, you better get your ass into gear and start playing every single event of both leagues (NPPL and Millennium)... Guess what? That's exactely what's going on right now. Never before the Millenium had that many US teams travelling over... I ain't even starting with Euros playing in the US... 6 or 7 Euros at the same NPPL event was totally unseen untill this season. Now, if they extend the limitation to other divisions, teams will have to play as many events as they can afford in order to stay in the race.... see where I am going?
3) And to put a smile on your face also, IF TV comes in, it will sure help the baby to come into this world and become a fat milking cow.....
4)...any other reason you can think of...
Best
Baca,
I can see several reasons why PP would try to set up a classification system based on restricted divisions (if this is applied to the Pro division, I personnaly don't see why it couldn't be applied to the lower divisions in the near future).
1) It legitimates the whole sport, both inside, and outside. If you sometimes go on other forums (and I know you do
), then you know the countless times players bash on lower Pro teams, blaming them for paying their way to the higher division instead of deserving it. From an inside sponsor point vue, it will now really mean something when you'll say :"please, sponsor my team, we are in the Pro division". Along the same lines, it is easy to imagine why outside sponsors will like that as well : since they know sh... about our beloved sport, they want immediate insurance that teams they are going to sponsor are indeed amongst the best in the buisness.2)Antoher reason could be a way of pumping up the number of participating teams at events. Well, at least this is what's happening right now. If you are in a Pro team, and still want to be on a Pro team next year, you better get your ass into gear and start playing every single event of both leagues (NPPL and Millennium)... Guess what? That's exactely what's going on right now. Never before the Millenium had that many US teams travelling over... I ain't even starting with Euros playing in the US... 6 or 7 Euros at the same NPPL event was totally unseen untill this season. Now, if they extend the limitation to other divisions, teams will have to play as many events as they can afford in order to stay in the race.... see where I am going?
3) And to put a smile on your face also, IF TV comes in, it will sure help the baby to come into this world and become a fat milking cow.....
4)...any other reason you can think of...
Best