Where have all the good pro's gone?

[Manning26]

Alright, let's pretend that the Naughty Dogs leave the NPPL next year, then what happens to the NPPL? There will still be some teams left, but come on, it's like watching AAA Baseball when the pro's go on strike. The NPPL should still be able to cater to everyone, still be able to throw outstanding events, but really, how much damage will result from the loss of this rivalry?..... you know, if it happens, that is.

 

[headrock6]

Depending on the success of NXL shouldnt we assume that all the top Pro's will eventually be part of NXL??Still being in its infancy,the growth of it would assure that more teams are required as seen with any sport today..Even arena football has a pretty decent amount of teams even though there were only a few when it began...When all those teams arrive,I can see the rivalys start to happen again just in a new format..


I think what we have to realize is that eventually teams like Dynasty,Dogs,Strange,BC,Avalanche,and possibly a Redz squad will join in or those players will be picked up by teams that exist in the NXL already as thats where all the top players will be, leaving the Pro circuit completely devastated..The tourny scene will be introduced to a new guard with the like of Kapp,Evil,PB Gateway,Static,Cartel,and a few others(unless they too are snatched up by existing NXL teams) taking the place of the beloved Pros we've all come to admire over the last few years..I guess we just have to get used to the new reality of the possibility that X-Ball may just be what gets us mainstream taking all the top players along with it..

In the case that NXL flops,then within a few years maybe everything will be back to normal,that is until the next big format comes along

 

[knobbs]

Yes it would be exactly like watching AAA baseball when the pros go on strike, but that's a side effect of X-Ball.

In baseball, football, basketball, soccer, etc. the local tavern team doesn't go to a tournament and play the pros, they play other local tavern teams. AAA baseball teams don't play pro baseball teams.

But people still watch AAA baseball...not as many but they do. Why? Yeah, the general skill level is lower, but these teams are the teams that grow the talent for the pros (they are farm teams). Generally speaking the talent is less, but when 2 AAA teams are playing it is still a good game because they are at a similar skill level, and you have the chance of seeing the next Mark McGuire (or Oliver Lang) coming up the ranks.

It may be devastating in the sense that the best don't play there anymore, but it doesn't invalidate the league. NXL taking all the pros and succeeding will only help the lower leagues in terms of money and spectators as everyone will want to see or to develop the next big thing.

 

[Manning26]

So, do you think that the NPPL will be fine with the possibility of becoming paintball's Triple-A? Should they still have a pro divison, atleast in namesake?

 

[knobbs]

I'm sure they won't be fine with it, but since it is a different game (7 man vs. X-Ball) I'm sure they will keep running a pro division. It's not the way I'd see it but I guess technically it is valid.

 

[headrock6]

Originally posted by Manning26
So, do you think that the NPPL will be fine with the possibility of becoming paintball's Triple-A? Should they still have a pro divison, atleast in namesake?

If X Ball becomes huge,wouldnt it be good to have an Xball Triple A for for a feeder league for up and coming players??If people are making good money playing it in the future,I would think people would start investing thier efforts into it,all but wiping 7 and 10 man away..

It all banks on NXL making it...The NPPL would suffer at first as PSP is already offering X-Ball..Maybe they would workout something to offer an X-Ball division in NPPL as well..But even with the lack of Pro teams in NPPL, thier still drawing a $hit load of teams..If XBall takes off both leagues will be devoid of any big names and they'll have to adjust without them but I thinks theres still alot of very good Am teams who could make the jump into a Pro divsion if they decided to keep it..Its not the same as having Shock,Ironmen and Dynasty around but thats the way it is if NXL is the premier league for the sport..

 

[Manning26]

I wonder if the demand would still be there for the NPPL if the pro's disappeared. If the NXL players were getting paid then maybe the top of the heap for NPPL would finally, rightfully, be called the Amateur division. I definitely think that if the NPPL continued to throw world class events they can still draw tons of teams. I really question how much of an impact the loss of a pro' division would have.

My problem is that there's a slight dip behind Dynasty and the 'Dogs. If the 'Dogs leave, then who's going to challenge Dynasty? No disrespect, but the pro' bracket would be a foregone conclusion, "Yeah, yeah, Dynasty won, who won in the am's?"

 

[paintballma]

Do you not eventually need an audience (besides the other teams playing) to watch, and pay for tickets, for NXL to succeed? I know, and love paintball, but even when friends are playing, I cannot watch an entire match.

 

[Manning26]

That's a great point. Should this hinge on a T.V. deal then? Look at all the paintball videos being sold everyday, there are people who DO want to watch the pro's play.

 

[shamu]

Points of view

Both NPPL and Xball are in a building process, each trying to grow as fast as possible. Which one will "win" is still an open issue.

Xball has great possibilities but I'm not convinced it will become the dominating format in it's current state. I think we'll see some changes to the format, particularly in Div I/II/III. One reason for this is the limits imposed by the tournament structure - the knockout format limits the number of teams that can reasonably participate in each division and, as larger divisions require more games per team, the costs (paint) grow pretty quickly. Most lower level teams won't be able to afford the costs of a full 24 team division in the current format (primarily the one hour game time). I've heard suggestions for changes to the lower levels, including mercy rules (similar to a majority decision in wrestling), shorter game time and changing to a 'best of x' format. All of these could make it more attractive for lower level teams to play.

Getting back to the original question, the pros will go where the money is. Whether this is as a team (All-Americans, Ironmen, Shock, etc) or as individuals on a new team (Detroit Thunder), if NXL makes it worth their while, you'll see the top talent migrate there.

I don't think the NPPL will fail if the Dogs go to NXL. We'll probably see Dynasty continue to steamroll most teams, with some competition from overseas (Ton Tons, Legion, Nexus, Joy Division). If no real competition emerges, Dynasty may either break up - joining the NXL individually - or move to the NXL as a team. The reason for this is simply competition. These guys didn't get this good without being fierce competitors and eventually they'll want to play the best. As far as the rookie/nov/am teams go - given the quality of the reffing, fields and event, there will be plenty of teams attending even without a 'real' pro division.

Another possibility is a migration of talent in the other direction. As Xball is geared towards a particular type of player (small, fast, aggressive = those darn kids ) we may see some of the older, I mean 'more experienced' current NXL talent moving back to the NPPL. Also, if NPPL is the first to score big with TV, we may see entire teams moving to where the money/fame/TV is. NPPL made a good first move with the Fox Sports deal. Now if they can get someone like SK or Rocky on "Best Damn Sports Show"...

PS - As far as the AA league goes, given the individual nature of the sport in general and Xball in particular, I think talent will be found where ever it is. Whether they're in Div I/II, 10 man or 7 man, the really talented individuals will be pulled up to the pros.