Paying to watch the Pros (and the rest)

[Robin Hood]

I just found this on the NPPL web site:

http://www.nppl.tv/vip_pass.php

Is this new? Who here is willing to pay $40 (£20) A DAY just to get good seats at a major league event?

Make that $45 on sunday, or $110 for all three days!

The site says 'VIP & Grandstand Tickets'. What else would be included with this?

Are these air conditioned box seats with fit ladies in skimpy outfits serving cold beer on tap?.....cos if so, I'm there!

It'll be interesting to see how many of these tickets are sold.

 

[Chicago]

Actually, lots of people. Success has been mixed, some events it's been worth it, some the general seating has been better.

For some poeple it's worth the $40 just to rub elbows with some of the sponsors.

It does take away from the value of playing the event though - one of the things you get with entry fees to a tournament, even though few people think about it, is free admission to watch the finals. Now it's getting less free, and there's less and less access to being close to the top teams as well.

 

[avidfan]

The VIP and grandstand area are 2 different places.
The grandstand is uncovered and in the middle of the NPPL field where all the finals are played. I think it's 5 bucks or so to get a guaranteed good seat. If you are really interested in watching the finals, it's a good idea. Everyone else can sit wherever they want outside that area, but good luck finding a seat!

The VIP area is usually at the other side of the field toward one end. It is an area that is tented, has tables and chairs, and has a good view of the field. It also has free food and drink. It started with mixed drinks and a catered lunch buffet. I see that now it's beer, wine, and chips.

On Sundays, players not in the finals, are seen pulling every stunt they can think of to enter the VIP area. Somehow, most of them eventually make it in one way or the other, and so the fun begins.

 

[Bolter]

If I wasnt playing the event, and say the Legion were playing another NXL team in an Xball exibition match, I would def pay to watch. And I know lots of others would aswell.

I would want to see the money made going to those teams playing, and not the event organiser (- costs)

 

[Baca Loco]

The grandstands are always full and they could easily sit perhaps twice as many on Sundays by the time the semis rolls around, but--
I don't think anyone outside the NPPL knows who and how many actually pay.
If I recall correctly last year's Denver was the first event to try reserved seating and on Sunday a good half the grandstand was empty--in reserve--until they allowed more people to fill in stands later in the day. Since then there has been less and less resistance and/or PP has gotten better at keeping things sufficiently sorted that it's impossible to know who paid and who didn't and how many of each there might be.
VIP is kind of up and down depending on its location in terms of watching games. Again, hard to say how many are really paying and how many get comped because they are somebody or know somebody. Still, VIP has an exclusive vibe and if anyone is willing to pay the going rate there isn't any reason it shouldn't be on offer.

 

[PaintballBudgie]

I would pay for a good view, comfy seats, refreshments within easy reach and a crapper thats not overflowing.

 

[cremuzzi]

Having a public that is willing to pay an entry fee to watch your sport is one of the goals of any professional sports league. The fact that the NPPL can do this after only a few years shows how popular paintball truly has become. Ask MLS or the WNBA how much their fans are willing to pay to see a game and how many actually pay and show up for games. As much as it is painful for a fan to now have to shell out money to see the NPPL it is a positive step forward for the sport. That being said I feel as a player we should get free grandstand seats included in our $2400 entry fee...

 

[Nick Brockdorff]

If it's truly "the public" that is paying for the seats, I think that is great.

But... if it is players that have already paid for IDs and entry fee for the event, I think it is a rip off, if they are then forced to pay to watch the rest of the event, after having been knocked out.

Nick

 

[Red_Merkin]

that's good business Nick, getting people to pay for the same thing twice!

Nice!


'at least they could offer you a reach around'

 

[Robbo]

The following seems curious to me :-

1) The pros are charged the highest entry fee.
2) The pros (by far) put the most work in.
3) The Pros attract teams and spectators and provide all with an aspirational point of reference.
4) The whole NPPL package being sold to the TV people is on the back of the pros.
4) Seats are being sold to watch the pros.
5) Go back to look at point 1

Anybody thinking what I'm thinking ?

Back to hibernation.......zzzzzzzzzz