Still no sign of tha promised NPPL release...

[TJ Lambini]

However,

Chicago has a good rep as an event, and a big event at that. And one that is supported by the trade...tha prize package is none-too-shabby either.

Plus tha event is getting closer and closer and every day tha NPPL delays its announcement is a day when PSP is signing teams up - can you imagine how many calls and mails are flying about right now trying to lock teams and sponsors into Chicago?

Time is of the essence...I think the Toulouse tie-in won't happen, for what it's worth... I think tha NPPL will got to Challenge Park and take on Renick. And I think that's a bad move and Renick will get more teams, but then maybe I underestimate tha anti-PSP vibes.

However, there is always a third option...perhaps, despite all tha posturing, the two parites are locked into 11th hour negotiations to get back into bed together...

Who do I want to win? That's easy...Paintball.

 

[TJ Lambini]

TJ's crystal ball came thru in tha end...

NPPL and PSP Renegotiate
by Bill Mills
15 May, 2002
Two days after the planned announcement of the Chicago NPPL tournament, NPPL leadership has not finalized the event's date or location. This coming after the announcement that the split between the National Professional Paintball League, and Paintball Sports Promotions was finalized.

It would now appear that announcement was premature.

PSP will run the Chicago Open in June, whether it is an NPPL event or not. The NPPL, on the other hand has the options of producing an NPPL Chicago tournament to compete with the Chicago Open, producing their an NPPL tournament on another date that will allow teams to play both and decide which is best, or if an agreement can be reached with PSP, to sanction the Chicago Open as an NPPL tournament.

In the wake of paintball industry response to the announcement that the NPPL/PSP split was final, both parties are working now to get back together. NPPL President Chuck Hendsch maintains that any solution will require a way for the players and teams desires to be properly represented, as they are the lifeblood of the league.

Despite recent criticism to the contrary, Hendsch has been in regular contact with the NPPL's team elected steering committee members over the last several days for guidance and approval through the continuing negotiations.

While the NPPL had made arrangements already for their own Chicago area venue, parties in both the NPPL and PSP camps are positive about the possibility of the two groups getting back together for an NPPL Chicago Open.

According to Renick Miller, who has been handling much of the negotiation for Paintball Sports Promotions, they hope to reunite soon. "No matter what the circumstances surrounding a split, it is just not good for the industry," said Miller in a WARPIG.com interview. "Before the split people on both sides thought it would be good. Now that it has happened it has polarized the industry. We're talking again now, and things look positive. We hope to have this fully resolved by the close of business on Friday."

In addition to a final answer on Friday, Miller said that he was expecting a letter of intent (an initial agreement to come before the formal contracts) Wednesday or Thursday.

 

[Baca Loco]

beaker, my man

Maestro
I personally think the delay in an announcement is cus the NPPL knows Challenge Park as is won't work. As to Chitown--it's all about the rep, not the numbers. Chicago has always drawn a few more teams but nothing like the WC disparity. The really big deal is the growth seen in the last two years. 98 thru 2000 non-WC events drew on average around 50 teams per with slight rises each year. In 01 average jumped to 76 teams and so far this year it's 108. With an even split of teams you're left with pre-2001 numbers for 2 leagues.
Anti-PSP vibe is bigger than you think. Lots of teams don't ever post anything on standard boards and a lot of what's hit the boards the last few days isn't coming from honest opinion. People with a stake are a lot more motivated to get involved in trying to persuade others. (My personal faves are those that begin the PSP and Jerry suck--then spend 5 paras trashing the NPPL. Real subtle.)
Moo

PS--Damn! Just saw TJ's post above that arrived while I was writing this. Phrase it anyway you want it looks to me like PSP blinked. Of course, if NPPL and PSP can work something out for rest of this season it gives NPPL some real lead time to prep for next year. If an agreement is reached let's see what the length of term is.

 

[Tyger]

There's more to Chicago than you know.

Let's start with the fact they're running a SCENARIO GAME at the same time of the Chicago NPPL.

http://www.buyshocktech.com/pages/badlandz/events.html Look up June 22nd / 23rd. A Dollack game run side-by-side with the Chicago open. It's being advertized as rec and tourney players playing "Shoulder to Shoulder" & the promise that "Each squad will have at least one Professional Paintball Player". Even if these players aren't named right now. (http://www.waynes-world.com/Synthoids1.html)

The signifigance of this is what I've already read here, questions of LA Open's venue being too small. Now add a few hundred scenario gamers on top of the Chicago open, and will there be MORE room? I have 'issues' with Dollack and his scenario games which I won't get into, but if the tournament scene needs more space, will they get it by cramping in a scenario game along side a tournament?

That being said, Challenge PArk is hosting Schatner ball, and from what I hear they're expecting 2000 trekkies and other assorted people to decend on them. I think CPX has the room to fit people, but I'm not sure if they have a tournament complex that will fit the 10-man bill.

One other thing too. I wasn't aware that NPPL set a date of the 13th, but I still think they're entitled to a little more time.

-Tyger

 

[Baca Loco]

Badlandz

may be aptly named if you're correct Tyger and the dates do overlap (which they presently do.) However, Wayne is well known for his periodic fits of hyperbole. Still, where all those ballers are gonna go is a good question.
Moo

 

[Tyger]

Hey, moo boy! It's not a scheduling error!!!

Baca :

Umm, it's not a misprint, and it's not an error. That scenario game IS HAPPENING the same weekend as the Chicago open. That's the draw point. At BBT's stores in Chicago there's a flyer that PROIMISES that top pros will be 'rubbing elbows' with scenario players.

That is NOT, let me repeat NOT a mistprint!!!! They will be layering BOTH EVENTS on the same patch of land at the same time!!!

And I know Badlandz is SMALLER than SC Village. I've been to both.

-Tyger

 

[Baca Loco]

Can't we all just get along?

Moo boy?
Well, it would be "rubbing elbows" if you're busy shoving slack jawed recballers out of the way, wouldn't it?
And after the debacle the demand for 7-man will be unstoppable.
Moo

 

[Tyger]

Can't we all just get along?

Originally posted by Baca Loco
Moo boy?
Well, it would be "rubbing elbows" if you're busy shoving slack jawed recballers out of the way, wouldn't it?

Hey, I've been called the "Meow Man" before.

Actually, all it wold take is a pro player getting pissed off at a call and decking a rec-baller cold. There were suposedly 3 fights at Vegas, if they can't control themselves (and blame it on heat, exhaustion, whatever) on a pro field what makes me think they will in a rec field? ESPECIALLY when they just came off of the tourney field?

-Tyger