Quote:
Originally Posted by AdReNaLiN jUnKeE
then you sir havent been playing very long haha. i remember when there was only one league and it was the best thing for everyone. the events were much larger, all of the vendors went to the events since they didnt have to stretch their resources to make an event every month. more teams participated because there was only 5 events to look forward to instead of 10. prizes were better due to higher team turnouts. the list goes on. it is just way better for the sport as a whole to have one league, and the companies are showing it as well by pulling out of the nppl
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Actually I don't think you want to go into who started playing earlier with me.
I still stand by my opinion. I believe for the SPORT of paintball having choices in leagues is a good thing and I don't think that a monopoly of one league/company/entity is ever a good thing in terms of keeping a lean, mean, competitive product for the consumers (we the players) to consume.
It IS harder for the companies but it's something that I WISH was worth it to them to support both leagues. I don't expect most players outside of pro's to play both, it is a crazy amount of travel. Unfortunately you are very right in that sponsors/companies are deciding that the NPPL right now with their number of players and fans is not worth their expenditure to get out and support the NPPL events. They're probably right, but that sucks for paintball as a sport.
I hope the NPPL can reinvent itself, get itself financially ready and produce a quality product on the level of the PSP. When it does that the sponsors and companies will find it worthwhile to come back and support the league and that will help it grow. However this is the old chicken and the egg issue. You have to have a quality product WITH lots of fans before it's worth it for the sponsors and company's dollars, yet those dollars are what helps bring the quality and the fans.
I don't think the NPPL folding will be good for paintball so I truly hope it doesn't happen. I DO think there is room for two leagues.
I do remember the early days with one league and I remember when the PSP was formed because of the complaints leveled against the NPPL at the time that they were not doing a great job. They weren't. The first few years of both leagues was a GREAT time for paintball with both leagues COMPETING for your dollars. However the economy hit paintball hard just as with all luxury type activities, and both leagues were hit hard, with the NPPL suffering a fatal blow. We're just starting to build back up to where we were at 5-8 years ago.
I hope the NPPL can pick itself back up just as the PSP has. As a player I think having options means competition between them which SHOULD mean better quality product (events) for me to choose from and attend.