USPA is No More. This is the Email I recieved from the League Commissioner this morning:
Dear USPA Community:
It saddens me more than you will ever know to be sending you this letter. For the past four years (starting in 2010) the USPA started to take shape with a vision to transform the structure of paintball and offer a true league with the best format. I do believe we have reached some of what was envisioned. However, these actions have been the weight on one person’s shoulders more than 90% of the time. I have run over 35 events during the course of three seasons (35 summer weekends) and driven well over 60,000 miles. Most of you may not be aware of this, but a league of this nature takes a year-round effort in planning, calling teams, building relationships, and organizing staff for events. These efforts on average take around 30 to 40 hours a week year-round. When events take place, an additional 30 hours are added. Normally such endeavors may not seem that much of an issue, but I also have my real job (the one that pays for my time) which also takes up 50 hours a week year-round. I personally have not taken one dollar from the league, but poured any potential profit back into it. Unfortunately, I have come to a place of reflection on my actions, the hours spent, and how that affects the people I love around me. My wife and children have suffered greatly from this venture, and I was in hopes that over the years, teams would become more organized and structured, which in turn would free me up to focus on providing for the teams a better event and more importantly, allow me to be the man I am supposed to be for my family.
Unfortunately, I find the situation with teams even more difficult this year than in years past, for which I take some of the responsibility since I have always tried to work with teams in regards to finances. Every year teams have had only a partial amount of the deposit needed for the league to progress forward. Yet, every year I have provided finances for the league myself to help cover some of the teams that were lacking in funds. Granted, most teams were great about paying back what was owed so as not to leave financial strains on me or my family. However, I am now at a crossroads where today 90% of the teams (38+ teams) have not submitted the full amount for a deposit. The ones that have paid a full deposit have just done so in the last few weeks (dead line was in December of 2013). Also, only one owner (who owns 4 teams) has come to me in an effort to set up a different payment plan, which I gladly did. This is, by far, the greatest number of teams since I started the league that have not done what is needed. Some teams have paid only $300 of a $1000 deposit, and even worse, some have yet to pay anything. This is just in regards to the deposit where in reality all of the money is due as of May 1st. These actions have forced Raza to backorder other orders and press the USPA orders through, which is not fair to them at all. This also stops me from giving you the players what is needed, a good, well-organized event. I am at the point where I am unwilling to provide band-aids at the beginning of the season, which is most costly to the league. Start up costs each season exceeds well over $20,000. The worst aspect is that the lack of deposits keeps me from hiring additional help, which is so very much needed. I am just unable to work 100+hrs a week anymore and sleep only 2 to 3 hours a night. I wish there were more people who would be willing to sacrifice this much for a little while, but that is not the case because everyone’s time is worth something, including mine. I am one of the rare people who was willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good.
I also want every owner reading this to know that the decision has nothing to do with not having enough teams or the league owing money. Although I have not gotten paid ever for my time, the league as a whole owes no funding to anyone and is not in any sort of debt (credit cards, loans, etc…). As for teams, we have more teams this year for the 2014 season than we have in years past, but with significantly less funding to start the season. I cannot continue to carry the league’s finances by myself.
This is the most difficult decision in my life, and I am not by any means saying that I am leaving paintball and will never run an event in the future. I am saying that the league USPA as it is structured now is not worth the effort and burden it has put on me and my family. If this were the only job I had, or even if teams were able to get funds in when needed, I may have felt differently. This letter is not meant to be guilt trip for any team or person, but I wanted to be as forthcoming as possible and answer any questions one might have up front, as I know this may be a huge shock to the USPA community.
I also want you to know and ask you to give me at least 2 to 3 days to refund 100% of the deposits I have received back to you. It is a little bit of a process through paypal, but it will be done in as speedy manner as possible. There is only one team owner that has paid by check, and I will write that person a check this week.
Also I want to thank the ref crew I have had. You all need to know that the events ran well because of you. I would not have been able to do this without you. I could name all of you, but I cannot take time now. You know who you are, and I truly appreciate each and every one of you. Some of you helped get refs, slept in the car with me, helped break down events/set up events and so on. You are awesome and the industry has been stealing from you for years, stealing your efforts, your ideas, and your passion.
To the players and team owners that have supported the league over the years, thank you. I will be honest: one of the hardest things for me in this decision was all of you. Some of you really saw the vision and believed in the vision I had and still do. The way you looked at me and spoke to me gave me encouragement when it was much needed. I have struggled with these issues and thoughts for many years and you all have really carried me through some hard times. I also know that some of you see past what the industry offers and see that the leading league(s) are really stealing from you. A team should never spend $10,000 an event and walk away with $1000 for 1st place or just free entry. You all deserve more and better than that. Each year I have always desired and tried to put up decent prizes, to reward the players as the league grew and not line my pockets with excess cash, as I believed my reward would come at a later time. All I can say is, I’m sorry and at the same time, thank you.
Again, I truly hope you know how hard this is for me. I did not make this decision lightly and there were many nights that these eyes were not dry as I sought answers through prayer. None of you were ever employees to me, but family. None of you were ever just a business transaction. I care for all of you more than you ever will know.
Deeply saddened,
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Jared Hogle
518-569-7466
uspajared@gmail.com
www.unitedstatespb.com
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