Champions vs Challengers. New PSP Pro style format with promotion and relegation

tweeter4 · 01-28-2013, 12:34 PM

Breaking news from the PSP HQ!

Looks like PSP is making some exciting moves to try and finally take over sole share of the professional paintball circuit for good.

Quote:

The level of talent in the PSP Professional Division is undisputedly the fiercest in the world. Teams from all divisions train week in and out to ultimately one day become a Professional team in the PSP. Actually making the advancement into Pro however, has historically been too large of a move for most teams to make.

The PSP would like to change this by putting a system into place for fresh teams to move into an even stronger Pro League.

The PSP Professional teams will compete against each other in the 2013 PSP Dallas Open. The top 10 teams from that event will move on to PSP’s Event #2 and play in the newly established Champions Division. They will perform on the main field for all the glory in front of thousands of fans watching from the PaintballAccess.com webcast and the PSP grandstands.

The other Pro teams from the Dallas Open will be enlisted in a new division known as the Challengers Division. They will be joining other teams to be named at a later date. The group of teams in the Challengers Divisions will use the same format and rules, but play on a secondary Professional field during the prelims and will play their final match on the main field for all their fans to watch. Starting after Event #2, the top two teams from the Challengers Division in each event will move up and compete in the PSP Champions Division for the following event. They will be replacing the bottom 2 finishers from the previous event’s Champions Division, who will instead perform in the Challengers Division.

This system of constant circulation will continue event by event for seasons to come. It is now more important than ever for teams to give their all in each match – as they no longer have just one goal of winning the event – but must perform at their top in every game to make sure they do not suffer the consequence of being knocked out of the Champions Division. Likewise, the Challengers Division teams at each event have the option to perform and move up for the following event.

Lane Wright's opinion

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lane Wright

But without the life sentence mentality of years past. Teams that move up aren't stuck at the bottom, being over matched event after event.

Teams can win their way onto the top pro field, take their licks, go back to work out things on the Challenger field, and then make another run at it when they qualify next.

I also hope it reinvigorates teams wanting to climb the classification ladder as the move from D1 to pro is not such a cliff anymore.

I am really excited about this. If it works out half as well as intended, it'll be good.

Saturday games now matter. The 4th event is HUGE!! Exposure for some of the up and coming teams is incredible. Fans have reasons to watch EVERY game on the schedule. On and on.

venom1256 · 01-28-2013, 12:35 PM

Looking forward to this

gunslinger84 · 01-28-2013, 12:36 PM

So semi-pro is back!

panitballTommy · 01-28-2013, 12:36 PM

great move by psp!

Wesleyj · 01-28-2013, 12:36 PM

I am very interested to see how this plays out. And I am sad that you submitted this thread while i was typing mine.

**John** · 01-28-2013, 12:38 PM

Now this is exciting!

AustinHembo · 01-28-2013, 12:40 PM

very exciting

**Pump Scout** · 01-28-2013, 12:41 PM

This is one of those things the old-old NPPL had right. Relegation/promotion is great motivation for teams that are on the bubble.

sumorai · 01-28-2013, 12:42 PM

Awesome! It'll be nice to see some different match-ups instead of the same top teams beating up the same bottom teams over and over.

**John** · 01-28-2013, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pump Scout

This is one of those things the old-old NPPL had right. Relegation/promotion is great motivation for teams that are on the bubble.

In the old NPPL you had the entire season to find your groove. Now, if you ave an off event, you have to play in the Challenger Division (basically semi-pro) the very next event!

Remember when Russian Legion (when they still had their superstar Heat players) and Infamous both had off events at MAO in 2011? This means they could have spent World Cup playing semi-pro!

facemower1211 · 01-28-2013, 12:44 PM

so in other words, they are setting the semi pro division up again. But just having the relegation/promotion happen each event. I like it.

**John** · 01-28-2013, 12:45 PM

Not really. This is way more game changing than just a stagnant semi-pro. Every single event we are going to see different teams in the Pro division. Guaranteed.

This also gives up and coming teams a chance to win their way into the Pro divisions finally.

gunslinger84 · 01-28-2013, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by facemower1211

so in other words, they are setting the semi pro division up again. Good, seeing how everyone has been asking about it.

In Baca we trust.

sumorai · 01-28-2013, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

Not really. This is way more game changing than just a stagnant semi-pro. Every single event we are going to see different teams in the Pro division. Guaranteed.

This also gives up and coming teams a chance to win their way into the Pro divisions finally.

AustinHembo · 01-28-2013, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

This also gives up and coming teams a chance to win their way into the Pro divisions finally.

biggest move right there

facemower1211 · 01-28-2013, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

Not really. This is way more game changing than just a stagnant semi-pro. Every single event we are going to see different teams in the Pro division. Guaranteed.

This also gives up and coming teams a chance to win their way into the Pro divisions finally.

thats my point. back when semi pro was around, the teams had their way to win into the pro division. This is the same thing, only difference being that it happens at each event instead of the end of the year.

And i bet they are going to ask alot of D1 teams to move into the bracket to fill it with other teams besides the 2 teams that will be dropping each event

FalconPunchKid · 01-28-2013, 12:48 PM

Nice move

**John** · 01-28-2013, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by facemower1211

thats my point. back when semi pro was around, the teams had their way to win into the pro division. This is the same thing, only difference being that it happens at each event instead of the end of the year.

The PSP has never done promotion and relegation. And no league has ever done it every event.

Vissa · 01-28-2013, 12:50 PM

Holy crap, I don't want to be the team in the Champions Div that finishes 9 or 10th at the event before WC, screwed!

I'm very curious to see what happens to the first 2 teams that end 9 and 10 in Dallas. Yes they will be dropped down to the Challengers div, but will they get back in de Champions div that quick again? I don't know about that!

Very very interesting!

facemower1211 · 01-28-2013, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John

The PSP has never done promotion and relegation. And no league has ever done it every event.

So when the PSP had semi-pro, they didnt give the series winning, semi pro team the opportunity to buy into the Pro division? Just making sure, because thats how I thought it happened. Im not sure though.

**John** · 01-28-2013, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by facemower1211

So when the PSP had semi-pro, they didnt give the series winning, semi pro team the opportunity to buy into the Pro division? Just making sure, because thats how I thought it happened. Im not sure though.

I don't remember teams being relegated. Heck, I don't remember a team winning and turning pro. Who was it?

I remember 187 winning their pro spot in 2011, but again, no one was relegated.