NXL Implosion !!

[Robbo]

With paintball as it is at the moment, it seems as tho anything can happen...and it often does.

When the likes of Aftershock and the Ironmen split from the mainstream of paintball to go and play NXL, it was seen by some as a first step to the much coveted acquisition of TV coverage via the X-Ball route.

But now the X-Ball bubble is beginning to feel the strain......the external pressures for financing coupled with the internal pressures of player dissatisfaction.......

And on top of this, the NXL is piggy-backed onto a circuit that is disintegrating, tournament by tournament, and the PSP seem helpless to staunch the haemorrhaging of teams to the NPPL.

US TV has allegedly said 'yes' to X-Ball, a proposed nationwide series is being planned with a reputed $15 Million on the table but this isn't likely to be started up until 2005 because of contractual considerations and procedures.
And ‘there’s many a slip twixt cup and lip’ as they say…..

This means the owners and backers of the NXL teams have to finance the circuit till then........Ouch !

On the other hand, I hear the player pressure problem is just about to reach critical mass......
These guys are just sooo pissed off with the NXL, they see what is happening with the NPPL and want to play it....I don't know how many NXL guys I heard at Vegas telling me how much they would have liked to play and how unfair they feel they are being treated by the powers that be in the NXL.
The NPPL has created a tournament series that America can now finally be proud of, it's a pity and also ironic that some of the best American players are precluded from playing in it.
I don't like making predictions, but I will make an exception, big things are gonna happen soon, very big

 

[Buddha 3]

Time to build an air raid shelter me thinks.

 

[Jaime Menino]

Far from being a high roller player or organizer.

I can fully simpatize with the unfair "devilish" clause in the NXL, not to play in other events.
They have to protect their interest and investiment.

But from the player point of view, you are dammed to play the same 7 teams for a year. I´m starting to believe that their trainnings are the most exciting thing they expect every day/week.

We just have to see what will happen, but I believe that they are going to make that clause disappear, or some teams, may find themselves with 0 players.

Time to open a beting pool!
Wich month will be? odds 1/16
Wich day? 1/3

my 2 cents
Jaime Menino

 

[goose]

Okay - my point of view....

... as if anyone gives a damn.

The NXL is trying to get something going with big money - whether it works or not remains to be seen.

The players did not have a gun to their heads when they signed with the NXL. The players don't have a gun to their head now - they can leave and go play for a now NXL team.

If they want to play NXL and maybe be part of the big payday then they have to live with their decisions.

The NXL is trying to sell a concept/product/league/whatever - but the main part of what they are selling is the players and their teams. If players can play any torunament they want then their in no exculsivity in the NXL and it loses some of it's marketing power.

You don't see David Beckham, Shaq, Joe Montana or Mario Lemieux playing for anyone but their team or dropping down to another league to either make some more money or just because they "feel like it".

The fact that you can only see these guys in one place is what gives the NXL a head-start in the TV race.

Again - not saying whether or not I think it will work, only time will tell - but the players have sold their skills to the devil - or at least the "Diablo" - for the chance at big bucks. If they don't want it they can leave - but playing in other leagues actually reduces their marketing power and potential profits from TV deals for X.

goose

 

[TJ Lambini]

Au contraire mon frere

>>>>>The NXL is trying to sell a concept/product/league/whatever - but the main part of what they are selling is the players and their teams. If players can play any torunament they want then their in no exculsivity in the NXL and it loses some of it's marketing power.

You don't see David Beckham, Shaq, Joe Montana or Mario Lemieux playing for anyone but their team or dropping down to another league to either make some more money or just because they "feel like it".

The fact that you can only see these guys in one place is what gives the NXL a head-start in the TV race.<<<


Joe Public knows Jack about pball and clouldn't tell tha difference between Lasoya and Fred Schultz...TV wants tha format. IF tha format has been sold to TV then tha players will stay to get on tha gravy train, cos they know that any old Joe Blow Average Baller can replace em and Mr and Mrs Sportsfan from Iowa will not be able to tell the difference...

 

[Robbo]

Au contraire mon frere

Originally posted by TJ Lambini
>>>>>The NXL is trying to sell a concept/product/league/whatever - but the main part of what they are selling is the players and their teams. If players can play any torunament they want then their in no exculsivity in the NXL and it loses some of it's marketing power.

You don't see David Beckham, Shaq, Joe Montana or Mario Lemieux playing for anyone but their team or dropping down to another league to either make some more money or just because they "feel like it".

The fact that you can only see these guys in one place is what gives the NXL a head-start in the TV race.<<<


Joe Public knows Jack about pball and clouldn't tell tha difference between Lasoya and Fred Schultz...TV wants tha format. IF tha format has been sold to TV then tha players will stay to get on tha gravy train, cos they know that any old Joe Blow Average Baller can replace em and Mr and Mrs Sportsfan from Iowa will not be able to tell the difference...

Couldn't a put it better TJ

 

[goose]

Au contraire mon frere

Originally posted by TJ Lambini
Joe Public knows Jack about pball and clouldn't tell tha difference between Lasoya and Fred Schultz...TV wants tha format. IF tha format has been sold to TV then tha players will stay to get on tha gravy train, cos they know that any old Joe Blow Average Baller can replace em and Mr and Mrs Sportsfan from Iowa will not be able to tell the difference...

The exciting players - i.e. the best that the world of paintball has to offer is what makes the format marketable. Joe Blow average player can't replace the best - no matter how much video editing would be done. If the TV companies are not convinced they will get the same quality from the product, that they did from the taste test - they will go no further.

What is the point of having a true professional league - when you can go and see the players elsewhere?

I do get the point you are trying to make - the pros will go where the money is - my question is will the money actually be there without a committed & qualified players base in "The Product".


goose

 

[TJ Lambini]

>>>The exciting players - i.e. the best that the world of paintball has to offer is what makes the format marketable. Joe Blow average player can't replace the best - no matter how much video editing would be done. If the TV companies are not convinced they will get the same quality from the product, that they did from the taste test - they will go no further.

disagree - average players can and do pull phenomenally exciting moves, they just couldn't do it in tha hothouse atmosphere of tha current NXL. What makes Lasoya great is not the run-thrus, it's the fact that he can do those run thrus against the world's best. Drop tha entire league standard 50% and you get tha same game, same moves, same excitement, as far as 99.9% of tha world is concerned. Tha only opnes who can tell tha difference is us.

>>>What is the point of having a true professional league - when you can go and see the players elsewhere?

Professional mountain bikers can and do race where they want - they move from tha Olympics to tha World Series to local races and acreoss formats as and when it suits them/their sponsors. Same with boarders, surfers and many other extreme sports.

>>>I do get the point you are trying to make - the pros will go where the money is - my question is will the money actually be there without a committed & qualified players base in "The Product".

TV needs the right format - the actors/athletes are expendable UNTIL they become real stars, not just stars to a handful of ballers.

 

[goose]

Professional mountain bikers can and do race where they want - they move from tha Olympics to tha World Series to local races and acreoss formats as and when it suits them/their sponsors. Same with boarders, surfers and many other extreme sports.

Individual sports - not team sports - the whole point of the NXL is to create a NFL/NBA/MLB league for paintball, that people can follow and root for.

Individuals can also move to Olympics for basketball, hockey, soccer etc. but not to make money and they are competing for National Pride.

disagree - average players can and do pull phenomenally exciting moves, they just couldn't do it in tha hothouse atmosphere of tha current NXL. What makes Lasoya great is not the run-thrus, it's the fact that he can do those run thrus against the world's best. Drop tha entire league standard 50% and you get tha same game, same moves, same excitement, as far as 99.9% of tha world is concerned. Tha only opnes who can tell tha difference is us.

We'll have to agree to disagree - after watching the intensity of the pro finals at Maxs and comparing it to the others - there was a definite difference. I'm sure the "second tier" players are better in the U.S. but why would I want to watch second tier players on TV if I can watch the best competing at any tournament?

Also why would a TV channel want to invest in the second best anything?

TV needs the right format - the actors/athletes are expendable UNTIL they become real stars, not just stars to a handful of ballers.

Agree partially - but would the NBA be the top league without the top talent?? Sure a certain number of the individual stars are expendable - but get rid of too many then the league dies - people will want to watch the best.


goose

 

[TJ Lambini]

>>>I'm sure the "second tier" players are better in the U.S. but why would I want to watch second tier players on TV if I can watch the best competing at any tournament?

You miss tha point - TV decides who is best for everyone but the committed hardcore ballers. You are a non-baller, you have two options:

1. Watch NXL 2005 on TV and be told you are watching the best of the best
2. Find a pball magazine, locate a tournament 14-hours drive away which lasts for three days and has one field with bleachers.

You pick.

Goose, you are looking at this from a baller's viewpoint, not a TV spectator's...