Sunday, March 22, 2015

It's All About the Paint

Sometimes. Right after Dallas Damage player Jason FK Edwards posted a question on his Facebook page. As an independent Pro team this year that resurrected its fortunes late in the off season the team is buying its own paint. Seems they'd been using KEE but opted for GI on Sunday thinking it the better choice for the conditions--and GI wouldn't sell them any paint. Shocked? Surprised? Confused?
You shouldn't be. While I can't confirm it personally I'm sure working the paint angle dates to earliest competitive paintball. It's been a part of the game since I've been involved in the sport. And it isn't just the industry, it's the teams too. Look, it's a topic seldom discussed openly because everyone is so dependent on paint and more importantly, sponsorship paint but since Jason went public VFTD has decided to continue this conversation.
For a variety of reasons even good paint can be inconsistent from event to event. When it is there's an incentive among the Pros to try and balance out deficiencies. Now obviously a sponsored team can't very well openly use the competition's paint so deals get done. Frequently it's for OTB paint. Just enough to give your laners their best shot at getting early eliminations. And if Team A hooks up Team B they know Team B will return the favor somewhere down the road. That's just one example.
Perhaps less well known is the role the paint companies themselves play on occasion. While there is some outrage over the incident after it went public consider the situation from GI's point of view. Damage, a very good team, is about to play their flagship team, Heat, in an elimination match. Does it make sense to help the competition? OF course not but as soon as the option to manipulate who gets what paint enters the equation it necessarily lessens the competition and also creates the possibility of more egregious manipulations. Imagine a scenario where 3 of 4 semifinalists are sponsored by one paint company. They are in the money but what if they have preferences regarding the outcome? Could they, would they disburse paint to their own teams based on a desire to manipulate the final result? But why would they do that? Think of one reason and the possibility exists.
It's been one of top end paintball's dirty little secrets for a long time. I am told the PSP is going to address the issue in the near future. So instead of continuing to beat the bruised remains of the dead horse I usually flog unmercifully I'm going in another direction to close. Most of you should have heard by now that the rumored would be PSP competitor league is real and they are working to introduce a competing league. 

56 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is confusing to me. IF Damage is paying full price for paint, why not sell to them? If they win the event, GI will probably be wanting to talk about sponsorship and plaster their image all over about how "Damage won Dallas shooting GI Sportz" If Damage doesn't win, they are probably still making money over GI sponsored teams. If they get to the finals match, they are probably still going to want to talk to them about future opportunities. I would think any of these options would be better then the current situation and all of this visibility. It seems a little short sighted to me.

Anonymous said...

The next three letters you publish better be "NXL"

GI simply gave TBD the finger to make the PSP look bad on the way out.

And they used the full intention of their participatory powers as a manufacturer to do it- unbelievable.

YFA

Anonymous said...

I have been watching this blog to see your take on Dave youngblood leaving psp and the new NXL.
Interesting enough post, but there are bigger things to be commenting about.

Anonymous said...

The question is how will divisional teams compete?

NewPro said...

The real question is what will Kee do?

GI owns the NXL, will Kee take an ownership stake in the PSP?

Huge move by GI, leveraging their pro teams and sponsorship weight plus their affiliate leagues. This move wasnt made overnight

Dave Painter said...

Kee already has an ownership stake in the PSP

ThisISPaintball.ca said...

Paul really hope your feeling better soon and looking forward to reading your post on the NXL as maybe then there can be some actual facts like dates, format and locations since everyone seems to still enjoy showing up to PSP for their chance to get marketed via the PaintballAccess webcast and their shot at the $10,000. Not to mention still make equipment sales and paint sale at the event and to their current teams.

NewPro said...

Dave: Kee has an ownership stake in the PSP?, Other than their vendor/mfg fee.

How much pressure from GI to switch?

Coach, did you write this post in a time machine

The same guy from last week said...

Did you forget to click "publish" last week when you wrote this? Either you died and someone is publishing your last written piece in your name as if your Charles Schultz, or you're being lobbied from either league to take a side? Are you avoiding critical commentary because you want to make sure you have a chair when the music stops? He who attempts to please everyone pleases no one.

Anonymous said...

I feel like we're in 2000 - 2005 era...
Wait!?!
Does that mean we're back to shooting Laser-beams of paint?!?

PPPLEASE

All joking aside, it simply is just the Wild Wild West of Paintball. Each company is there to make some form of profit and whatever it takes to do that in an industry with really tight margins...
You'll simply bet on the sure thing prior to betting on a second or third hunch about new/old team that came back around.

I mean, there is a reason that team did disband...

Dave Painter said...

NewPro - it is my understanding they have an ownership stake outside of their vendor relationship. I don't know the hard facts - maybe somebody more in the know can answer more definitively.

Pressure from GI to switch leagues: ZERO!!!!!

Amount of people reaching out to me and other pro team owners for input into the league - everyone on the ownership group. It's been a very collaborative effort to work out all the league details.

Anonymous said...

So Dave, GI will provide paint for you at PSP events if you play it? If not, that's at least 10,000bucks worth of pressure.

They don't even have to dupe you if they just don't show up and say no sponsorship for you there, but sponsorship over here.

Anonymous said...

Dave,

Do you think Kee or Dye will eventually switch to the NXL if divisional teams seems to only play NXL down the line?

Dave Painter said...

Anon 6:15PM - no paint pressure at the PSP - it's BYOP - I can have 5-star shipped to my hotel - remember :)

Anon 9:35PM - I don't know about DYE, but I imagine you'll see KEE at the NXL, it's an avenue to sell their product (paint primarily). The only reason I don't know about DYE is because I don't know what DYE's current situation is - Are they folding? Are they surviving? Are they thriving? I just don't really know.

NewPro said...

Dave,
After reading your comments on PBN, especially the one surrounding your personal business with GI (80-100 skids per year), you would be fairly shielded from being told what to do at risk of losing your business......However,Would it not be a logical assumption to think GI used leverage on the other "sponsored" teams to entice them to leave. The alternative being, "the psp is that bad" and this facilitated the mass exodus of all the GI teams,a little hard to swallow. Either way, i know no one is going to say , "yes", they forced us to leave but I just cant see it.

Dave Painter said...

NewPro,

Agreed - I may be a bit shielded.

Maybe for the divisional teams (I really don't know). But as far as the pro teams go when I was on the call with them there was zero mention of what GI wanted us to do and all the GI teams switched without hesitation.

splatkid10 said...

I think I would have walked up to some divisional players and asked them to buy us paint, then given them a few cases for doing us a solid.

#F-it

Anonymous said...

There's always flogging the spot where a dead horse once lay.

MQ said...

I forecast there will be a major announcement around the end of the week, Monday latest.

NewPro said...

It took years for the NPPL to die, it took less than a month for the PSP to die.

Format is the same, prizes are the same, pay-outs are the same....Only the name and ownership have changed.

Wow

Anonymous said...

"Paul is dead... Paul is dead..."

YFBeatles

PaBLo said...

He is being so sneaky....

NewPro said...

Coach, Paul.....are u alive?

Anonymous said...

This is just PSPs attempt at limited paint.
I hope everyone is alive as well.

Anonymous said...

You guys need to back off. Paul is very sick. This blog is way down on his list of priorities. Have some decency or at least act as if you do.

Anonymous said...

People posting here have no idea about that, and I am sure that now that we do, we all wish him the very best.

Your nasty comments are really not necessary.

NewPro said...

My Apologies, had no idea, Get better coach

Vijil said...

RIP Paul Richards.

Gutted.

Owen Ronayne said...

Terrible news. RIP Paul.
A good man who made a difference. You will be sorely missed my friend.

Anonymous said...

RIP. Going to miss all of his brilliant, honest, and insightful posts.

Reiner Schafer said...

One of the true ambassadors of our beloved sport. Rest in peace Paul.

Ken said...

Going to miss you Pual, thank you for your years of service in the sport. Rest in peace to a great man.

Jaime said...

R.I.P. Paul Richards

Anonymous said...

Legend

Anonymous said...

RIP Paul

sdawg said...

I can't believe it.

Godspeed, Baca Loco.

SSRoman said...

I'm very lucky to have had the opportunity to read this over the years. Thank you very much Baca Loco

k. said...

Only knew him by the thoughts he left here. And for that i thank You!
You'll be missed. RIP.

Jaccen said...

RIP Paul. I will miss your beacon of truth in the mire of paintball double-talk. You were refreshingly honest and it was a pleasure to read your work. The fact that the last game you coached the team won World Cup is a testament to your paintball knowledge. You will be missed.

kaz said...

I'm going to miss checking this blog every single day. RIP Paul. This breaks my heart. You were, by far, one of the greatest minds in our world.

Anonymous said...

Godspeed Coach Richards, and I am sure your watching the snake side in that big paintball field in the sky.

I am suggesting to the NXL stearing commitie, that they name their World Cup trophy after Paul.

ScotchMonster said...

To a dear friend, God speed you rest and your family comfort. Thank you for everything you contributed to so many lives in and out of paintball and on so many levels. While many will miss you, I hope more will celebrate you and your accomplishments by remembering to always better yourself, your game and everything you do! Salute old friend, looking forward to seeing you again, Cam.

Reiner Schafer said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Reiner Schafer said...

I have a feeling it will be a while before I will be able to delete VFTD from my "Favourites" list.

Grant Harrison said...

The paintball world has lost one of its most intelligent, humorous and respected paintball commentators, coaches, supporters, officials and friend. I hope this blog never gets pulled down because it was a great source of information and we had many laughs here - I hope you're in a better place now because I know what you were going through over the past few years. The paintball world won't be the same without you. RESPECT

Guam paint baller said...

I pray you are resting in peace. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insights. Thank you for saying things we wanted to say and for making us think outside the box. I will miss reading your posts on this blog. God bless Baca Loco

Justin Mason said...

Paul, you were a great friend and an awesome coach. My brother and I appreciate all the help you provided over the years. Your eye for sneaky shots on the field and your sense of perspective and intel off the field were unrivaled.

Rest in power friend.

Justin

Tiffany said...

Over the years I've been inspired and challenged to exceed my personal best. Thanks coach, sleep well.

Tiffany

Unknown said...

RIP - you will be missed.

-Bruce

jkapono said...

RIP Coach

- j

Anonymous said...

We miss you Baca, RIP

Carter said...

My condolences, RIP Baca

Paintball said...

It's a terrible story

ScotchMonster said...

Miss you old friend-God speed you coaching a fast field with great players.

Unknown said...

Miss being able to talk things out with you coach.

Holliday

Anonymous said...

In the realm of paintball, success lies not only in skill and strategy but also in the seemingly mundane choice of paint. It's an aspect that should not be overlooked or underestimated. As players continue to navigate the world of paintball, they must recognize that it truly is all about the paint.