This post is probably more relevant to the USA (NXL) than Europe (EXL), and perhaps being from the UK and having no frame of reference means my viewpoint is worth squat. However, here goes...
The Xball format or any format that allows proper games between two teams doesn't lend itself to the 'carnival' format of tournaments we have seen thus far.
Let me clarify a few things first. By 'proper game' I mean a game between two teams which an audience can follow and lasts a significant space of time e.g. 30-60mins. Not the usual style of 7 mins tops, with maybe a best of three for good measure.
A format that has two halves, easy to follow scoring, fast paced etc is typically going to be more audience friendly. However, the main selling point of the format, in my view, (which nobody makes a big deal about) is the fact that a game can happen and be finished inside of two hours.
Now most people reading this will have been to their fair share of tournaments. These tournaments are at best a day long and sometimes span 2 or 3. Suffice to say getting a band of loyal supporters to turn up and watch you play for 3 min chunks during that event isn't what most people would call a fun time. I think they are right.
So, rather than X-ball being presented amidst a multiple day 'carnival style' event why isn't the NXL just set up like other sports such as football (soccer for the US readers who insist on calling their *******isation of Rugby 'American Football'
) with set fixtures each week/month between teams at their own grounds.
Each team needs a hockey style arena (indoor preferably) with perspex screening, seating, refreshments at half time etc all the stuff you would associate with any other spectator sport.
Now I appreciate that it would be a major cost implication but I am talking small scale, perhaps big enough to seat a couple of thousand people, tops.
Then when New York play Baltimore everyone turns up at the appropriate 'stadium' for game on (e.g. 7.30pm Saturday), pays their $10 (or whatever) and watches the ball game.
That way, the teams involved in the league build up some local support, can generate cash from programmes, sales of team shirts and merchandise etc and also get some $ from ticket sales (which would be low to begin with obviously). What's more by actually having a regional base they are more likely to get financial support from affluent people/businesses in their area.
So... is this viable? What am I missing? There must be a reason this sort of thing hasn't already happened?
Or are the NXL just trying to put the cart before the horse?
With regards to the EXL, everybody moans about the cost of playing X-ball but it's because they play 4-5 games during a weekend, rather than 1 a week or month. Wouldn't it make more sense for the international teams to play each other twice during a 'season' at each others venues (e.g. each team plays 'home' one event and 'away' at another)? The way it's set up at the minute just appears a little backward shoehorned in amongst the 'old' style carnival event.
The Xball format or any format that allows proper games between two teams doesn't lend itself to the 'carnival' format of tournaments we have seen thus far.
Let me clarify a few things first. By 'proper game' I mean a game between two teams which an audience can follow and lasts a significant space of time e.g. 30-60mins. Not the usual style of 7 mins tops, with maybe a best of three for good measure.
A format that has two halves, easy to follow scoring, fast paced etc is typically going to be more audience friendly. However, the main selling point of the format, in my view, (which nobody makes a big deal about) is the fact that a game can happen and be finished inside of two hours.
Now most people reading this will have been to their fair share of tournaments. These tournaments are at best a day long and sometimes span 2 or 3. Suffice to say getting a band of loyal supporters to turn up and watch you play for 3 min chunks during that event isn't what most people would call a fun time. I think they are right.
So, rather than X-ball being presented amidst a multiple day 'carnival style' event why isn't the NXL just set up like other sports such as football (soccer for the US readers who insist on calling their *******isation of Rugby 'American Football'
) with set fixtures each week/month between teams at their own grounds.Each team needs a hockey style arena (indoor preferably) with perspex screening, seating, refreshments at half time etc all the stuff you would associate with any other spectator sport.
Now I appreciate that it would be a major cost implication but I am talking small scale, perhaps big enough to seat a couple of thousand people, tops.
Then when New York play Baltimore everyone turns up at the appropriate 'stadium' for game on (e.g. 7.30pm Saturday), pays their $10 (or whatever) and watches the ball game.
That way, the teams involved in the league build up some local support, can generate cash from programmes, sales of team shirts and merchandise etc and also get some $ from ticket sales (which would be low to begin with obviously). What's more by actually having a regional base they are more likely to get financial support from affluent people/businesses in their area.
So... is this viable? What am I missing? There must be a reason this sort of thing hasn't already happened?
Or are the NXL just trying to put the cart before the horse?
With regards to the EXL, everybody moans about the cost of playing X-ball but it's because they play 4-5 games during a weekend, rather than 1 a week or month. Wouldn't it make more sense for the international teams to play each other twice during a 'season' at each others venues (e.g. each team plays 'home' one event and 'away' at another)? The way it's set up at the minute just appears a little backward shoehorned in amongst the 'old' style carnival event.
