[Paladen]

I am a big fan of paintball and want to go into tournaments and such but I am afraid of the risk involved. In order to even attempt to go "semi-pro" I will have to move, because of the location I live in right now has no decent field close by.

Is it worth trying to start a career in paintball? I hear many stories of people making livings off of it, but how long does it take? Any information is helpful

[rjones1213]

Making a living off paintball is not easy or something you should plan on. People play paintball because they love the sport.

[bunker276]

Originally Posted by rjones1213

Making a living off paintball is not easy or something you should plan on. People play paintball because they love the sport.

Quoted for truth

[Gangstalicious]

Originally Posted by rjones1213

Making a living off paintball is not easy or something you should plan on. People play paintball because they love the sport.

this.

[o5pr3y]

Originally Posted by rjones1213

Making a living off paintball is not easy or something you should plan on. People play paintball because they love the sport.

And almost impossible. Back in it's prime (2004-08ish) teams like XSV and Dynasty we're only making around 20k a year, which is why Angel Fragoza left, and Neil Eberle worked at an Applebees.

LA Ironmen managed to bring in large nice salaries. No idea what it's like today, but with paintball in the condition it's in, I can't imagine it being muc better.

Like the quoted post above me says, "People play paintball because they love the sport".

[eforcegtid00d]

Originally Posted by Paladen

I am a big fan of paintball and want to go into tournaments and such but I am afraid of the risk involved. In order to even attempt to go "semi-pro" I will have to move, because of the location I live in right now has no decent field close by.

Is it worth trying to start a career in paintball? I hear many stories of people making livings off of it, but how long does it take? Any information is helpful

There are two things you need to consider:

1. Going pro is not an automatic progression. You could be better than every player on a pro team and not go pro - it's more about who you know than who you can beat. It's possible for you to play for a decade and never go pro.

2. Pro players do not get paid like other professional athletes. The highest contract I've heard of is for $100,000 spread over 3 years, which averages to a little over $15/hour before tax - barely enough to support yourself, much less a family or a mortgage. If you want to make money in paintball, get an engineering degree.

[Japy]

What these guys said ^ the pros only make money these days with private label stuff being branded after them (Like vicious series egos) or by working for manufactures off the field. Other then that they only get paid enough to play for basically free (sponsorships mostly) so don't plan on making big money off PB.

Also consider it takes an astronomical amount of cash to even get to the pro level because of the cost of playing national tourneys like PSP. You've got a **** ton of paint per season, travel, event registration, food at events, gear costs, etc just to play the events themselves.

Then you factor in the cost of all the practicing you've gotta do in order to get your skills up.