xgames rejects paintball

[Paintcheck]

It was Jerry Braun, owner of Paintball Sports International magazine. ESPN was pulling episodes because of poor ratings, and he sued them. So much for getting paintball on ESPN again, or for having a shot at making it more exciting for TV.

Originally posted by Chaos:
it was probably bob long or someone like that. A player that was on TV and they didn't have the permission to put him publically displayed or something stupid like that. Wouldn't we all like to take a hammer and beat the guy till his brains fall out and stretch his arms and legs till then rip out of their sockets then make tiny papercut incisions till he bleeds to death and... well maybe just i do....

[rabidchihauhau]

Let's get a few things straight;

the person suing ESPN is STILL suing ESPN: as recently as six months ago there were new requests for affadavits and statements.

the person suing ESPN is not a player - it wasn't done because someone appeared without permission. The issue is over money and contract interpretations.

other people have characterized the network as being at fault, others believe that it is the other way around - but that doesn't count. its up to a COURT to settle the dispute on the merits of the law.

the lawsuit against ESPN is DIRECTLY responsible for a lack of interest on ESPN's part. The VP of programming will not even allow the word paintball to be said in his presence. Being an author of the only major proposal which was received with any degree of seriousness over there, I can say this through my own knowledge of the situation.

the ESPN magazine article appeared in their quarterly magazine in a column which mentioned 'also rans' - shows which were submitted for consideration and then rejected.

A fair amount of space was devoted to paintball and I consider it interesting that the world's premiere sports broadcaster stated, publicly, for the first time anywhere to my knowledge, something that I've been saying for years:

"Paintball is not a sport".

ESPN was a little sarcastic in their coverage, but that shouldn't be allowed to detract from the facts. Paintball (as it is played now - and yes, I'm being partisan in favor of the USPL rules) does not have:

a standard game length
a standard field
unbiased reffing
professional officiating
an objective governing body
or a set of rules which are enforceable.

Without those, ESPN is ABSOLUTELY CORRECT - paintball is NOT a sport.

Paintball will never receive sustained coverage on television until it has a product that is worth putting on the air. No one right now - with the possible exception of USPL - has a product which even comes close, and paintball will not be able to rise to the level it can achieve without television coverage.

Broadcasters will not change the way they do business to accomodate paintball - they don't need to. paintball must change and alter the way it does business and presents itself if it is to encourage broadcatsers to work with us.

Steve

[tremis]

I agree that paintball does not have all the criteria you listed. Neither does auto racing, yet it has a pretty large TV following. Just a thought.

Tremis

[HoppysMag]

Hey tom!


Creator of the Automag Series of Paint markers
anthropolgist (SPelling??)
All around genuis
Diet Pepsi's number 1 client


wanna add Tv show producer to that list

The AGD show. Hyperball for TV. Great way to show off your Products!

[Royal Assassin]

I agree that paintball does not have the criteria you listed. Neither does auto racing, yet it has a pretty large TV following. Just a thought.

How do you figure? I'll use NASCAR as an example:

a standard game length: each race has a set number of laps

a standard field: the season is set with the tracks that will be run in a paticular order

unbiased reffing: NASCAR has there own officals

professional officiating: there officals are actually trained, and go through classes to learn to implement the rules

an objective governing body: NASCAR governs ALL.

a set of rules which are enforceable: Cup rules are extremly strict down to how long and whent they can work on the cars.

Don't bring something like auto racing into this. I can't think of anything that ESPN airs that isn't a sport except the crap like Bud and Darrell's fishin' show.

Paintball has a long way to go before becoming a profesional sport, and the first step is probly acting like profesionals not 14 year old cry baby moma's boys...

my $.02

Royal Assassin

[ThePatriot]

your 20 cents? whoa...i thought it was $.02 cents

[Shaft]

Hmm, is good this thread. Very good points.
Paintball needs a kick in the arse for being more palatable to the TV viewing audience.
It's day will come.

Step one: Organize
Step two: Standardize
Step three: I don't know step three, otherwise I could head this plan up myself - at least try.

[tremis]

[Royal Assassin]

Tremis, now that was a damn good post!

You know your stuff!! F-1 now that's a racing league!

Royal Assassin

[Jonno06]

Obiously,tremis didnt see who won the world cup(dynasty)hence:they have alot of kids on that team,Also,teenager make up more than half of all paintball players in the world.

[BEEFYSAUSAGE]

well i can tell you a story

Ok im from Australia and over here paint markers are classified as prohibated weapons(same as ak 47`s and rpg`s)
paint markers can only be used on regestered feilds and transported by secure post or licenced people you cannot take them home you can not shoot them in your back yard,you cant even legaly own a gun that was in the country post 93 as i see it the only good thing i like abought it is it keeps kids from obtaining markers and doing stuff(drive bys,shootong road sighns, cats ,dogs ect)one day some ones going to get hurt , there needs to be changes everywhere so this sport doesent get baned(its sooo close)all it will take is one insident and BOOM! its all over folks..
oh and just a note you cant sell guns to people here
barells, air systems,parts,agis,grips ect are ok but if you try to sell full guns the feds will visit you (it has happened a few times)so be carefull in everything you do and say as it has a afect on all of us..
BEEFY.

[deded]

Ive said it before, I'll say it again.

Xgames ruins sports!

Look what its done to skateboarding!

Do a search to see my complaints...

[BEEFYSAUSAGE]

oh i forgot

you have to 18 years old to play in most states here

[LittMag]

Some good stuff here, I figured I'd revive it after all of the olympic and TV talk threads.

[cphilip]

Originally posted by Royal Assassin
How do you figure? I can't think of anything that ESPN airs that isn't a sport except the crap like Bud and Darrell's fishin' show.

Now hold on there just a minute!!!!!


a standard game length: Till the Beer runs out. Always.

a standard field: The Honey Holes and Drop offs

unbiased reffing: Well ya got me there. Take the size they say and devide by 10.

professional officiating: Got me again...

an objective governing body: Fish and Wildlife or DNR!

a set of rules which are enforceable: Again read your Size and catch limits!