Okay, on this whole reunification thing...

[Furby]

I don't see it. There, I said it.

Now, before all the head patting and patronizing starts, I'll admit openly that I'm a bit of a naif on the subject of paintball politics. Perhaps my outlook is hampered by this lack of knowlege of how the political side of this sport works, but I salve my bruised ego with the knowlege that I'm still more an active player than media illuminati. I write it how I see it and don't try to fluff it up.

Could someone please explain to me why the NPPL and PSP are going to merge? I'm seeing way too much drum beating that it's going to happen to discount the possibility out of hand. Based on my limited experience with the people involved, even I can see that Chuck and Jerry aren't going to play well together.

Why precisely would it be in either the NPPL or PSP's interest to merge into one again? Let's face it, the NPPL doesn't need anyone right now, much less the PSP. And to be fair, the PSP doesn't really need the NPPL, at least in their own minds. They have X-Ball, which is almost universally loved (except by old guys with bad knees) so why would they see a merger as a valid possibility?

I do understand that the industry as a whole is down significantly this year, and the explanation that a merger would serve to ensure the survival of both leagues, but again, with NPPL events selling out in hours with massive waiting lists, why bother? It's also feasible that they stay within themselves and wait for the PSP to die off because their premier format is horrifically expensive to the industry that supports it.

Perhaps my views are somewhat colored by a lack of on-field time at an NPPL. I've covered plenty of their events, and have always walked away impressed. Perhaps once I actually play one (finally at Commander's Cup, thank God!) my perception will change. I suspect that it won't, but I'll keep an open mind.

So how about it? Why merge?

 

[Baca Loco]

Still plenty of reasons it could easily derail too

Because certain key peeps are actually talking about it and apparently seriously considering the possibility--and because there are more than a few who would like to see it happen for a variety of reasons so they are talking it up. That and that age old motivator; money (which everyone claims to be hemorraging.)

I don't know if it'll happen or not but I will predict if it does that prices across the board for vendors and players will go up substantially almost immediately.

 

[Chicago]

The industry wants it because they neither want to pay to support two leagues nor do they want to be left out of one of the two leagues.

Chuck and Jerry don't matter. Pure Promotions calls the shots on the NPPL side and Chuck is just a puppet; Jerry has almost completely lost interest on the PSP side and pretty much just wants paintball to go away.


I still don't see it actually happening, but there will be a lot of talk about it.

 

[duffistuta]

Originally posted by Furby


So how about it? Why merge?

OK, here's how I see it:

1. Revenue. Pure Promotions would like the vendor revenue from the PSP vendors. This is a big deal. Plus if they are the only game in town, Platinum sponsorships etc will be jostled for, can be charged more for etc.

2. Long dollar. Don't think TV has gone away, it hasn't, and don't believe all the people who tell you that TV doesn't care about two competing leagues, split formats etc. It does. So do some big outside sponsors. The NPPL is in a far stronger position to deal with the networks and the Nikes and Red Bulls of this world if they are the only game in town. Certain networks and production companies are aware that the top teams play in different leagues and different formats. They don't think this is a plus point...

3. Cost saving. The biggie as far as the industry is concerned - they are paying to sponsor two leagues, send trucks and staff to two leagues, cover teams costs to play twice the events. That is not small potatoes, especially when times are hard.

Of course there are potential personality clashes, but money makes strange bedfellows. Some of the PSP guys hate each other's guts and don't trust each other as far as they could throw each other, but they work together. The main stumbling block here is not personalities, although they are a factor.

I don't think reunification will happen for one simple reason: because Smart Parts and Draxxus have got too much tied up in XBall to let it go, and the NPPL just doesn't want the format. Even if you forget that it's Richmond's baby and the fact he believes in it so much, Draxxus has poured so much money into XBall, not only the format, but the XBall branding for its paint line. Billy and Adam have also invested heavily (there are several other factors that complicate their situation too, but I think this alone is enough).

If the rest of the PSP decide to rejoin with the NPPL and to stop running events, I can see Richmond, Billy and Adam taking the NXL and the format and piggybacking it onto the CFOA, thus creating another two league war all over again.

 

[Baca Loco]

Originally posted by duffistuta
... and don't believe all the people who tell you that TV doesn't care about two competing leagues, split formats etc. It does. So do some big outside sponsors. The NPPL is in a far stronger position to deal with the networks and the Nikes and Red Bulls of this world if they are the only game in town. Certain networks and production companies are aware that the top teams play in different leagues and different formats. They don't think this is a plus point...

I'm with you but I wonder about this one for one simple reason. If the UAPL looks to be a success on WGN then TV peeps will start looking for their own paintball opportunity and while some will chase a similar format (3-man) others are as likely to want to provide a competing format. All that will really matter in terms of interest and a foot in the door is that the UAPL succeed.

 

[duffistuta]

Re: Re: Okay, on this whole reunification thing...

Originally posted by Baca Loco
I'm with you but I wonder about this one for one simple reason. If the UAPL looks to be a success on WGN then TV peeps will start looking for their own paintball opportunity and while some will chase a similar format (3-man) others are as likely to want to provide a competing format. All that will really matter in terms of interest and a foot in the door is that the UAPL succeed.

I agree; I don't think the two points are contradictory.

 

[Baca Loco]

Originally posted by duffistuta
Cost saving. The biggie as far as the industry is concerned - they are paying to sponsor two leagues, send trucks and staff to two leagues, cover teams costs to play twice the events. That is not small potatoes, especially when times are hard.

Now that I think about it this makes a certain sense but is almost the equivalent of one side starting to believe pball isn't going anywhere (in a tourney sense) after all these years and handing over control of the scene to a competitor. That's gotta be a tough call.

 

[duffistuta]

Re: Re: Okay, on this whole reunification thing...

Originally posted by Baca Loco
all these years and handing over control of the scene to a competitor. .

I do not think it is as straightforward is that...not by a long chalk. The relationship between PP and the NPPL would be scrutinised, and members of the PSP might go onto a steering committee or take up certain positions within the NPPL. Or they might not...should the NPPL have manufacturer representation on it in the first place anyway?

I think if Pure Promotions, as is often claimed, is simply a company that has a contract to promote and run NPPL events, and the NPPL exists separate from PP, then there should be no problem at all. Everyone in the industry - even their bitterest enemies - recognises that PP is the best event promoter in Paintball.

Dye, NPS etc. would rather concentrate on what makes them money - manufacturing and selling - than promoting events at a loss.

 

[Baca Loco]

Re: Re: Re: Okay, on this whole reunification thing...

Originally posted by duffistuta
I think if Pure Promotions, as is often claimed, is simply a company that has a contract to promote and run NPPL events, and the NPPL exists separate from PP, then there should be no problem at all. Everyone in the industry - even their bitterest enemies - recognises that PP is the best event promoter in Paintball.

Dye, NPS etc. would rather concentrate on what makes them money - manufacturing and selling - than promoting events at a loss.

No doubt I will be corrected by our resident Starr Jones look-a-like but it seems to me the NPPL and PP are about as separate as Ray Milland and Rosie Grier in The Thing with Two Heads (warning: cult classic B-movie horror flick reference) regardless of how it's spun. (One of the things that might convince me otherwise--not of course that convincing me matter at all--is if all the money came into NPPL and NPPL disbursed it thereafter.)

Okay, I'm going to go against prevailing opinion, wow, what a shocker, and suggest that while PP do a generally fabulous job they have a rockier road ahead than the one they've already traversed.
1. The events are scaling themselves beyond the scope of many of the intangible qualities that have appealed to the players.
2. The format remains a problem.
3. They keep chattering about Sport but are far more oriented toward spectacle.
4. The Pro League as currently conceived is a timebomb waiting to explode.

None of which are insurmountable issues but if reunification occurs has anything of substance really been accomplished other than a reorg of who sits where at the conference table?

 

[SteveD]

1. Of course the networks would be concerned over multiple leagues; they would be asked to invest reputation and dollars; if they don't get it right, don't have the right 'hook-ups' - along comes another league and another broadcaster "Hmmm, do I watch Monday Nite Football on channel 876 or Monday Nite Football on channel 564? Screw it, I'll watch highlights on that independant channel on ther web..."

2. Ol catch 22. No one can guarantee an outside investor of any kind of exclusivity - until the outside dollars give the selected league enough clout to ride over, buy-out or obsolete the competitors and that won't happen until the league ha the dollars

3. There are too many people in the industry with 'enough' money that, if sufficiently motivated, would render any effort moot (as in start their own thing if they aren't happy)

4 the 'industry' has approached their efforts with broadcast more with an eye towards retaining control than they are focused on making it happen: any millionaire paintballer can clearly see that Billion dollar international companies dwarf them in dollars, scope, influence, clout, contacts and all the rest. Some people seem determined to see themselves as the star of paintball television, and if that isn't going to happen, they're going to monkeywrench the effort


5 The only existing format that had half a chance (because it did what I said it needed to do - look at least a little like other television sports) is TOO DAMNED EXPENSIVE. Many teams have already been told to get their support elsewhere for next year. Even if it were sustainable, its not on the bush league level and therefore, the needed player base is not/will not be there.

6. Reunification might be possible if certain personalities did the following:

got out of the equation
stopped looking for world domination
sat down and figured out the 'whys'
stopped building plans on promises and build them on a solid foundation

7 reunification is necessary if the game is to have any future hope of implementing any of the other underpinnings in a real, believable manner (governing body, world player database, sensible, affordable feeder leagues, co-branding with manucturers.

8. the 'industry' needs to stop tainiting the efforts by tying their futures to marketing through these events. With the exception of NASCAR (which has, btw, shot its load and is now trying to figure out a way to keep the growth going, will find it impossible to do so and will gradually fade back to what it was originally), no other sport that has serious backing uses the teams, players and leagues to DIRECTLY market themselves to the spectating-consumer. How many people know what company manufacturers the approved baseball for MLB?

Events/leagues should be, by their very nature, a showcase for the GAME. The place for manufacturers/product lines is on the banners along the stadium wall, and on a decal in their shop window that states that they sell MLB licensed product, or product used by the MLB. Guilt by association - not guilt by ownership.

9 There should be one league (at least per country), that handles everything competition; bar leagues, little league, amateur, corporate, semi-pro and professional Cost savings, built-in future consumers, standardization, wider reach, greater professionalism and, perhaps most importantly, IT LOOKS LIKE WHAT PEOPLE WITH MONEY ARE FAMILIAR WITH

10 wouldn't surpirse me at all if we all got taken unawares by some mom and dad who want paintball little league for their kids but can't find it anywhere within the industry.

Will it happen? probably, in my personal opinion (beefed up by lots of wonderful insider info). will it make a difference in the long run?

No its a bandaid. Unless the basic under-pinnings are good, it will just be another temporary solution.