Steve Davidson on PBChannel

[rancid]

Just so I know I've got it right, you're all championing a non-profit making paintball world where player-power rules the day? Is that about the gist of it?

My goodness, surely the only people that attracts are idealists and committee wannabes - and generally, over time, that means 'dislikeables' and 'ineffectives'. No offence like.

In my perfect paintball world money rules, money gets things done, money creates an environment where the fit survive. In my paintball world, player power is the rudder, it certainly isn't the captain of the ship.

What we have now is a melting pot of angst and jealousy and conflict and moral high-ground. And I fear that you guys are too embroiled to see that natural market forces, as ever, will deliver paintball from evil and idealism. And at the moment? Well, we're just wading thru the primordial soup - a natural process that weedles out the infirm.

Isn't that an alternative?

 

[SteveD]

Furby,

did you forget that I REQUESTED 'tough' questions? You're making it sound like you ambushed me and that was not the case.

You also have mentioned my 'nervousness' on three occassions and I'd like to clarify that a bit:

In the PaintFest tape (which aired in 40 markets nationally on Thanksgiving Day in 2000 - air time we did not pay for, btw) I had just completed four of the most gruelling days of my life and the take you saw was after about 12 re-takes, because the 'hot chick talent' couldn't get her questions right (she kept giggling). What you saw on my face was annoyance, not nervousness.

At our interview, yes, my hands were shaking and perhaps my eyes watered and again, you mistook another emotion for nerves. What you were seeing was anger and rage being held forcefully in check. If you remember, I mentioned to you that 'my fine lady' had been instructed to kick me in the shins if I started to rant - and that was not a joke; she and I discussed it on the way down to visit you, at length, reviewing various subjects and where the 'rant' line was. (Actually, we decided that she would simply interrupt verbally, as I like getting kicked in the shins - but that's a whole other story...)

I've managed (somehow) to withdraw from the politics of this infantile industry for almost three years; you noted that I'm obviously passionate about it and that's true, I was then and am again now, but I had put that behind me for quite some time and am reluctantly and at great emotional cost re-entering the fray because of the opportunity we have been given and because of the many requests we've received from industry folks to once again 'do something'.

There's a difference this time around though; I'm willing to once again stick my neck out and do battle - but only if the people who've asked put up the money and support. I'm tired of doing other people's dirty work, I've spent all the money I have, I'm tired of being the alternative, I'm tired of delivering the goods and then having support melt away because the fence-sitters won't put their business relationships, standing in the industry or potential tournament careers at risk - the very support which was promised (and never delivered) and the support that was necessary to take USPL into its second season back in 2000.

Biff and I will give it a shot once again - but only if those interested in seeing it happen get behind it.

 

[SteveD]

Rancid,

you're right - money will rule. The USPL wanted the ruling money to come from outside the industry and wanted to establish the normal kinds of relationships between players, teams, promoters and etc that exist in other professional sports.

I've always rejected the 'we're a young sport' excuse. Yes, paintball is only two decades old - but we have numerous other, century old sports upon which to model ourselves.

All of them went through crap to get where they are now and I believe that we can 'steal' that experience and use it to avoid the same.

Other folks see 'control' and 'power' as issues when it comes to ownership of our game patent. What they fail to understand (and what you alluded to) is that a successful sports league has to answer to its players and to the market that it serves, not to mention the sponsors and advertisers.

 

[Furby]

Robbo: Any assistance in arranging interviews you feel would be timely and interesting would be greatly appreciated. As for interviewing Tyger and Raehl, I've interviewed Tyger once before, and you've got to admit that it was an interesting one...I suspect interviewing Raehl would be interesting as well. In either event, the only qualification I'll set forth for an interview is that you not bore me...a person's popularity (or lack thereof) will have no bearing on whether or not they get on the mic. Whether or not I use that interview is up to me...

Steve: You're absolutely correct...I apologize if I put that impression out that I'd ambushed you. I specifically remember our last phone conversation before meeting you at the scenario game and you asked me if I'd limit the conversation in any way, and of course the answer was no. I suppose I was just wanting to make it evident that I will ask tough questions, whereas too many interviews in this sport are often softballed and short of real content of interest to readers/listeners/viewers out there. I do admit to being surprised by the level of your physical responses during the course of our interview, and I'm further surprised by the fact that you had your fiancee` there to keep you from going off on too much of a rant. In either event, I thank you again for granting the interview, and I'll see you at the Miami Super 7 (semi-local event for me now! ).

Looks like I may have a couple more interviews this weekend, one of which ought to be extremely interesting...stay tuned!

 

[Robbo]

Originally posted by SteveD

Other folks see 'control' and 'power' as issues when it comes to ownership of our game patent. What they fail to understand (and what you alluded to) is that a successful sports league has to answer to its players and to the market that it serves, not to mention the sponsors and advertisers.

Aha, he hints at the anti-christ of paintball

Furbs: send over qestions's if ya want, I will do the same as last time.

 

[Furby]

Robbo: I'd prefer to catch you at one of the remaining big events this year and do the interview...email/phone interviews suck. We'll see how things develop.

 

[Robbo]

Originally posted by Furby
Robbo: I'd prefer to catch you at one of the remaining big events this year and do the interview...email/phone interviews suck. We'll see how things develop.

No probs mate, I'll be in New York for the NPPL, so we'll hook up there maybes.

 

[Furby]

What about IAO, WC, or Miami Super 7? With the opening of the shop and the other events that I'm covering this year, that'll be the extent of my major tournement coverage this year...next year will be a different story altogether. I may even score an interview with Lambini next year, assuming I can get to an event he's covering...hehe

 

[TJ Lambini]

Dude, Flashpoint will be defending our title at Nutbush City Limits - check us out there.

 

[raehl]

Rancid:

Nothing like having to survive a Board of Directors election once a year to make sure you're keeping those antsy players happy.

Additionally, there'sone other big thing: When the players control it, if the leadership changes, the leadership can't walk off with the stuff, as the stuff legally belongs to the organization. IF the league is controlled/owned by someone else, even if the players do manage to stick up for themselves and oust leadership they don't like, they've left themselves in the uneviable position of having to start from scratch.


- Chris