Paintball: We’ve Got a Problem!

[Robbo]

Liz, when you talk about 'big' sponsorship; outside of the Russian Legion, I can think of maybe only two teams in Europe who have anywhere near the sponsor deals you suggest with others having to pay significant amounts just to play the circuits.

Everybody thinks these top Euro teams get everything paid for when in fact this is so far from the truth of the matter but this is not really the point because the fate of European pro paintball isn't going to be affected by the two teams who are heavily sponsored, in fact it's not really gonna be affected by any of the sponsored pros.

Ged and the Millennium ain't sculpting their respective futures with pros in mind, or even mindful of the industry's affiliations to pro teams, these are merely details.

The main considerations are consolidation and or survival here, powerful forces in any scenario and ones that won't necessarily pay much attention (nor should they) to things like the sensibilities of any pro teams.

Respective parties may well ignore any advice I serve up in my article this month but I hope there is salvation for us all here and it may well come from somebody who doesn’t even play in the Millennium or NPPL......we'll see what happens.

 

[Liz]

Originally posted by Robbo
Liz, when you talk about 'big' sponsorship; outside of the Russian Legion, I can think of maybe only two teams in Europe who have anywhere near the sponsor deals you suggest with others having to pay significant amounts just to play the circuits.

Everybody thinks these top Euro teams get everything paid for when in fact this is so far from the truth of the matter but this is not really the point because the fate of European pro paintball isn't going to be affected by the two teams who are heavily sponsored, in fact it's not really gonna be affected by any of the sponsored pros.

I know of a few quite small teams who have to attend certain events because their "sponsor" demands it, including teams who have comparatively insignificant paint deals like 4-6 free cases a month & discounted for the rest. I can think of very few "Pro" teams who get less than that. I do know that the top Euro teams can expect nothing like the amounts of assistance that the top US teams get, I've always been a realist about sponsorship

If the way things pan out in the next couple of years will be decided by what the minor teams want rather than cossetting the Pros, that will make a refreshing change!

 

[Robbo]

Originally posted by Liz
I know of a few quite small teams who have to attend certain events because their "sponsor" demands it, including teams who have comparatively insignificant paint deals like 4-6 free cases a month & discounted for the rest. I can think of very few "Pro" teams who get less than that. I do know that the top Euro teams can expect nothing like the amounts of assistance that the top US teams get, I've always been a realist about sponsorship

If the way things pan out in the next couple of years will be decided by what the minor teams want rather than cossetting the Pros, that will make a refreshing change!

I'm not so sure anybody actually 'cossets' the pros but perhaps that's a subject for another thread but you are right in that it will be all teams who can bring an influence to bear but judging by the response in this thread, it seems as tho the UK baller doesn't really care or can't be bothered.....either way, we are gonna get what we deserve

 

[Liz]

Originally posted by Robbo
..... it seems as tho the UK baller doesn't really care or can't be bothered.....either way, we are gonna get what we deserve

Yes, I noticed that in all the other similar threads that are looking at the longer term politics there's been me, you, some US ballers, a few mainland Europe guys and about two other UK ballers who have bothered to comment. But after all the years we've been involved in UK paintball, nothing seems to have changed, there's always been apathy and a "can't be faffed, let someone else do the worrying/hard work" attitude.

Maybe I'm the only one left that isn't scared of you Pete?

 

[RePete]

We face the same issues here in Australasia. Apathy is the biggest killer for us here in NZ. And from what I've observed, infighting and politics (And up till recently government regulation) hamstrings paintball's progress in Australia.

Things will always be done by the 10% who give a toss, while another 10% who also give a toss will just ride on the work done by the first 10%, and everyone else just goes where the winds take them. Very frustrating...

 

[Robbo]

Originally posted by Liz
Yes, I noticed that in all the other similar threads that are looking at the longer term politics there's been me, you, some US ballers, a few mainland Europe guys and about two other UK ballers who have bothered to comment. But after all the years we've been involved in UK paintball, nothing seems to have changed, there's always been apathy and a "can't be faffed, let someone else do the worrying/hard work" attitude.

Maybe I'm the only one left that isn't scared of you Pete?

Liz, I doubt you would be worried off by Conan the Barbarian and I would hope the lack of response has nothing to do with people being worried by me; if that is the case, then I am doing this problem a huge disservice because this is the time when UK ballers need to get our finger out and start letting the powers that be know what we want and not worry about anything I might say.

It's a bit of a dilemma here because I had to post otherwise people wouldn't have known but I suppose I could have gotten Duff to post it.
It seems ironic though because I think we all want the same thing so no real chance for conflict, well unless morris or raehl got involved...and maybe even the mad cow from across the water

Well, there are much more important things in paintball than my opinions (not false humility here, merely pragmatism) and one is the future of European Paintball, so in the hope it allows some people to post who wouldn't have done otherwise, then whooooosh !!!, I'm gone and will not post on this thread again.

Liz, lead the charge of UK ballers gal !!!!

 

[fred1]

Uh..... there was something of intimidation stopping me from posting..... and I guess I might not have much new to add to the debate.

I agree with one thing for certain Robbo. Laurent Hamet should be the head of the hydra. He should be taking the decisions and doing most of the negotitating. The guy is a visionary and his organisation has never ceased to amaze me. Besides the fact Paris was maybe not the best choice for the average paintballer considering how much food and hotels cost, but the venue was incredible and it was great publicity for paintball.

There are a couple things worrying me with the arrival of the NPPL. Its going to be hard to get teams to commit to one series before their sponsors do.... will certain big American brands decide to back the NPPL..... with the American teams not decide to back the NPPL just by convenience..... and then when all the American teams are behind the NPPL will the major Euro teams follow suit?

Personally I would happily back the Millennium. They have great experience in Europe, and honestly, every venue this year has been awesome. But I think that Millennium should start reading these boards and start taking into consideration what people have been saying. Everybody said they wanted Malaga to stay, that it was the best event last year. And they cancel it and organise Madrid. We all wanted Toulouse and they went and organised Paris. I know that it was for the convenience of teams coming from abroad but most teams I talked with said that they would rather go the extra mile for the Toulouse atmosphere and venue.

And if the Millennium would stop messing us around with last minute rule changes etc... I think people would be alot happier and loyal if they would commit to something at the start of the season and listen to what their customers are saying.

I definitely think that having 2 leagues will be a problem and I'm not looking forward to it. It will be a problem for teams when it comes to sponsorship, and it will hinder the development of European paintball and its way to being recognised, tv coverage etc.... What will make teams decide who they back. What team is attending, what venue..... I think the big teams will go to where the competition is and the small teams would go for the best venue.

 

[Liz]

Originally posted by Robbo
Liz, I doubt you would be worried off by Conan the Barbarian and I would hope the lack of response has nothing to do with people being worried by me; if that is the case, then I am doing this problem a huge disservice because this is the time when UK ballers need to get our finger out and start letting the powers that be know what we want and not worry about anything I might say.

Liz, lead the charge of UK ballers gal !!!!

Aw Pete didn't you notice the smilies - I was teasing!

There's a number of reasons why you won't find me leading the charge. Firstly, when I've tried to get involved in the past I've been ignored or sidelined, and there are limits to how far I'll push things when I'm clearly not wanted. Secondly, I don't have the influence or profile like a Pro or Ex-Pro player. Thirdly, this sport is still waaay too sexist for a woman to be allowed to take the lead in an area this important

On the other hand, you do know I'll always support and help anyone who I think is trying to do their best for paintball at any level - including you

 

[Robbo]

This sport, sexist????????????????

Whatever do you mean?????

Now stop that nagging and go cook something !!!!!!!!










<~~~~~~gettin ready to duck..........and run like hell.

 

[Ram]

Originally posted by Liz
Thirdly, this sport is still waaay too sexist for a woman to be allowed to take the lead in an area this important

Well Liz, someone should make the change, think that way - if you won't do it, nobody will. So do it!