The Friday Poll: All things being equal, which format would you like to play in 2006:

[SteveD]

Pete,

right now the only direction I want to go in is selling paint.

Of course, it would be MUCH easier to sell a quality product if the rest of the industry didn't resemble a trash heap, but I ought to count my blessings as the current level of confusion, upset and disturbance is definately an asset.

Lane castigated me on here about being blindly in favor of one camp versus another: I promised him I'd keep an open mind - and a week later they announce their UPBF thingie.

Open mind, yes. Allowing any old sewage into it - no.

The quest for a balance between team needs and promoter needs will, apparently, never be solved. Too many personalities.

After 25 years, the leagues 'ought' to have enough support to be able to seriously lessen costs to the team, but such a thing would require cooperation.

blah blah blah

 

[Chicago]

Originally posted by SteveD
After 25 years, the leagues 'ought' to have enough support to be able to seriously lessen costs to the team, but such a thing would require cooperation.

Poppycock. There is no reason for leagues to support teams, at least not financially - the teams should support the teams, like every other pro team does, through marketing, etc, ala Dynasty. If you look at other action sports, financing is primarily through endorsements, and that's where players/teams should expect to get their money.

Where the leagues are failing is not how much stuff they give to the teams, they're failing at providing a marketable platform where players can compete and raise their profile. It's tough to sell a lot of jersies or get a contract for endorsing a product if you don't have market exposure.

Although I'm not sure this should be expected after 25 years; surfing, BMX, skateboarding, etc, all took longer to get to major endorsements. If you look at the level of industry support for players, it's actually pretty good for 25 years in.

Remember, competing in a Pro league is NOT supposed to be cheap. The privilege will cost you millions of dollars in franchise fees in the NBA, NFL, NHL, or MLB. You can expect that as the privilege of competing becomes more valuable (based on a team's ability to get other revenue) the cost to compete in leagues will go up, not down.

 

[SteveD]

poppycock?

 

[Josh Homme]

Originally posted by SteveD
poppycock?

dutch for soft faeces IIRC

 

[Muffin Man]

I really really like Xball over 7 man, just so much more of a thrill and I think Xball-lite will make the sport more interesting to hopeful TV producers and hopefully for audiences at home. However, Xball has to be carefully managed and the turn-arounds and penalties adhered to as this is key to the ultimate success of that format. Also one has to confront the problem of cost and capital, you need more players to be on a good Xball team so you can pick and choose your players for the play that the coach wants. You also need gun techs who really make the players lives so much easier!

Gotta love that big X!!

 

[Steve Hancock]

I really really like Xball over 7 man, just so much more of a thrill and I think Xball-lite will make the sport more interesting to hopeful TV producers and hopefully for audiences at home.

Muffin - Do you mean that Xball Lite would be more of a thrill compared with full fat xball? If so you're going to have to explain that one to me.

Later you mention the problem of cost and capital, it thought that was the point of the lite version.

Regarding gun techs etc, i think teams will need to develop a club structure, with junior teams that they support and in turn who act as pit crews.

And i don't much like the big X really, but that's probabley because I'm anti having the sport owned as someone's branded property.

 

[tiger jedi]

Originally posted by Gyroscope
In Xball you get a familiarity with your opponent that takes a long time coming in 7 man, assuming you play a team often enough to get a feel for them at all.

Yes i would like to play Fat Ladys at X-Ball so i can get a better feel at them, well a couple of them at least

 

[Muffin Man]

Originally posted by Steve Hancock
Muffin - Do you mean that Xball Lite would be more of a thrill compared with full fat xball? If so you're going to have to explain that one to me.

Later you mention the problem of cost and capital, it thought that was the point of the lite version.

Regarding gun techs etc, i think teams will need to develop a club structure, with junior teams that they support and in turn who act as pit crews.

And i don't much like the big X really, but that's probabley because I'm anti having the sport owned as someone's branded property.

No, I agree that full fat xball is a lot better but it still seems to me that the cost and capital for even xball lite will still be - even marginally - higher than standard 7 man, but still be lower than full fat Xball.

I agree on your point made about the junior team pit crews which would keep everyone involved and keep the team spirit alive.

 

[MrPink]

Originally posted by tiger jedi
Yes i would like to play Fat Ladys at X-Ball so i can get a better feel at them, well a couple of them at least

Careful Wozzie, you know what happened last time

 

[Robbo]

A 2 to 1 majority in favour of XBall Duff, surprised?