Jump to content

National Professional Paintball League: Difference between revisions

From WikiPaintball
← Older edit

Admin (talk | contribs)

3 user groups
5,091 edits
undo
Expand NPPL history across 1993–2013, distinguish successive organisations, explain PSP's role and separation, document Super 7 and classification changes, correct Kansas City's revised result, and cover liquidation, USPL, restored branding, RaceTo formats and the 2014 hiatus.
 
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
The '''National Professional Paintball League''' ('''NPPL''') was an American paintball tournament league whose name was used by successive organisations from the early 1990s. Its history encompassed the original team-owned league, the ten-player national circuit, the [[NPPL Super 7|Super 7 World Series]], and a later tournament programme that adopted the NPPL name following the formation of the [[US Paintball League]].[1][2][3]


'''The National Professional Paintball League''' ('''NPPL''') was an American professional [[paintball]] tournament organisation established in the early 1990s. Originally organised by professional and amateur teams to establish consistent tournament rules and standards, the NPPL operated national competitions in 10-man paintball before becoming associated with the seven-man '''Super 7 World Series''' from 2003 to 2013.[1][2]
The original circuit held national ten-player tournaments from 1993 to 2002, alongside five-player competition. Following its separation from [[Paintball Sports Promotions]] (PSP), the NPPL introduced Super 7 in 2003. National competition continued under different ownership and organisational arrangements through 2013, followed by an announced hiatus in 2014.[2][3][4][5]
 
The NPPL was one of the principal organisations in American tournament paintball, sanctioning events including the [[NPPL Huntington Beach Open]], Chicago Open, Las Vegas Open and [[Paintball World Cup]]. Its history included several changes in corporate structure and ownership, a separation from [[Paintball Sports Promotions]] (PSP) in 2002–2003, and a bankruptcy in 2008.[1][3]
 
The league's final documented national season took place in 2013. Although attempts were subsequently made to revive the organisation, the established national tournament series did not return.[4]


== History ==
== History ==


=== Formation and early years ===
=== Origins and the ten-player circuit ===
 
The NPPL originated in the early 1990s when professional and amateur paintball team captains sought greater control over tournament organisation, rules, entry fees and prize distribution.
 
The initiative followed dissatisfaction with aspects of the tournament circuit operated by [[Jim Lively]], particularly tournament costs, refereeing and restrictions requiring teams to purchase paintballs from event organisers.[1]
 
The original NPPL was established as a corporation owned by participating teams. Rather than producing every tournament directly, the league sanctioned events organised by independent promoters.
 
The league established common rules covering field design, refereeing, minimum prizes and entry fees. One of its original requirements was that participating teams could bring their own paintballs instead of being required to purchase a particular brand from the promoter.[1]
 
The NPPL's national 10-man competition was established by the 1993 season, with major events held across the United States.
 
During the 1990s, the circuit included the Dallas Open, Chicago Open, Boston Open and Paintball World Cup, among other tournaments.[2]
 
=== Reorganisation ===
 
Although initially controlled by participating teams, the NPPL became increasingly dependent on independent tournament promoters during the late 1990s.
 
The original New York corporation was dissolved by the state in August 1999 following failures to file required tax returns. However, tournaments continued using the NPPL name.[3]
 
In 2001, players and promoters undertook efforts to reorganise the league.
 
At the Gettysburg Open, [[Tom Cole]] was confirmed as league president, with [[Chuck Hendsch]] serving as vice-president. Cole subsequently resigned, and Hendsch assumed the presidency.
 
Hendsch established a new California corporation under the name National Professional Paintball League, Inc.[3]
 
During the same period, several established tournament promoters combined their operations to form [[Paintball Sports Promotions]] (PSP).


=== Separation from Paintball Sports Promotions ===
The NPPL developed from efforts by professional and amateur team captains to obtain greater control over tournament costs, rules, refereeing and event standards. Their concerns included the quality of existing tournaments and requirements to purchase paintballs from event organisers.[1]


Relations between NPPL management and PSP became increasingly strained during 2002.
The original organisation was a corporation owned by participating teams. It sanctioned tournaments produced by independent promoters rather than directly organising every event. League requirements addressed entry fees, minimum prizes, field design and playing rules. Bring-your-own-paint competition was a central principle.[1]


Disagreements included event sanctioning fees, governance, committee appointments, promotional rights and the degree of control exercised by tournament organisers.[1]
The first national season was held in 1993. During the 1990s, the circuit included events in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois and other states, with [[Paintball World Cup|World Cup]] becoming a recurring season-ending tournament.[2][6]


In March 2002, PSP announced a separation from the NPPL. The parties subsequently resumed cooperation for the remainder of the season, but the relationship ended again ahead of the 2003 tournament calendar.[3]
The tournament programme changed between seasons. The fourth stop, for example, moved through Atlanta, Portland, Boston and Nashville before becoming the Atlantic City event in 2001.[7]


For 2003, the organisations announced separate national tournament programmes.
Playing environments also changed. World Cup introduced a Hyperball field in 1996 and a Sup'Air field in 1997. By 2002, its conventional tournament fields used inflatable bunkers throughout.[8]


PSP continued operating its established tournament circuit, retaining five-man and 10-man competition while introducing [[X-Ball]] and events associated with the original [[National Xball League]].
=== Reorganisation and PSP's formation ===


NPPL, Inc. instead established a new seven-man tournament series supported by paintball manufacturer [[WDP]] and its event production company, Pure Promotions.[3][5]
During the late 1990s, declining participation in league administration left the tournament promoters carrying out much of its practical work. The original New York corporation was dissolved by the state in August 1999, although tournaments continued using the NPPL name.[1][9]


Both organisations initially asserted rights to the NPPL name, creating uncertainty over branding and tournament sanctioning.
In 2001, the separate event promoters combined to form [[Paintball Sports Promotions]]. Their joint organisation pooled resources for tournament production and infrastructure. The NPPL continued as the sanctioning and rule-making organisation.[1][7]


=== Super 7 World Series ===
Player representatives also worked to restructure the league. Tom Cole was confirmed as president and Chuck Hendsch as vice-president at Gettysburg. Cole subsequently resigned, Hendsch assumed the presidency, and a new California corporation, National Professional Paintball League, Inc., was formed.[9]


The NPPL Super 7 World Series began on 7 February 2003 at Huntington Beach, California, with an event organised by Pure Promotions.[5]
The 2001 professional series championship went to [[Chicago Aftershock|Aftershock]]. In 2002, [[San Diego Dynasty]] and the Southern California Ironmen shared the professional ten-player championship.[8][10]


The tournament introduced the league's new seven-man competition and established a beachside venue near the Huntington Beach Pier.
=== Separation from PSP ===


[[San Diego Dynasty]] won the professional division at the inaugural event, with Evil Factory taking first place in the amateur division.[5]
Relations between the NPPL and PSP deteriorated during 2002. Disagreements concerned sanctioning fees, contractual exclusivity, league governance and the accountability of promoters.[1][11]


The Super 7 series subsequently staged tournaments at prominent venues around the United States, including Las Vegas, Chicago, Denver, Tampa Bay, Boston and San Diego.
The Los Angeles Open operated with NPPL sanctioning before a season agreement had been completed. Las Vegas was promoted as a PSP event without NPPL branding. Although NPPL officials initially said its results would count, subsequent contemporary reports described it as unsanctioned. Las Vegas nevertheless appeared in the final NPPL season rankings.[11][12]


The league placed increased emphasis on spectator facilities, trade shows, television coverage and the presentation of professional paintball as a spectator sport.
An agreement announced on 21 May restored NPPL sanctioning for Chicago, Atlantic City and World Cup. The organisations subsequently developed separate programmes for 2003.[9][11]


The 2003 season was subsequently featured in a six-part television programme on Fox Sports Net, scheduled to begin airing in January 2004.[6]
The separation initially produced competing uses of the NPPL name. PSP retained control of NPPL.com and asserted rights arising from its promoters' previous use of the name, while Hendsch's organisation promoted its new seven-player series separately.[9]


Dynasty dominated the early Super 7 period, winning the first four professional season championships from 2003 through 2006.[7]
PSP continued five-player and ten-player tournaments and introduced [[X-Ball]], including competition associated with the original [[National Xball League]]. The NPPL's new programme was produced with [[WDP]] and its event company, [[Pure Promotions]].[4][9]


=== Pacific Paintball ownership ===
=== Super 7 World Series, 2003–2006 ===


In January 2007, the NPPL and the regional [[Xtreme Paintball Sports League]] (XPSL) were acquired by Pacific Paintball LLC.
The inaugural Super 7 tournament took place at Huntington Beach, California, from 7 to 9 February 2003. Pure Promotions constructed playing fields on the beach beside the pier, with spectator facilities and a trade exhibition. Dynasty won Professional.[4]


[[Shawn Walker]], previously associated with the XPSL, became president of Pacific Paintball.[7]
The first season comprised five American events: Huntington Beach, Las Vegas, Chicago, New Jersey and the Commander's Cup in Miami. Selected European tournament results could also contribute to NPPL series rankings.[13]


Under the new ownership, the NPPL continued the Super 7 series and expanded its live internet broadcasts.
The series subsequently used venues including stadium grounds, practice fields, fairgrounds and beachfront sites. Its event presentation incorporated spectator grandstands, individual team staging areas, trade shows and television production.[4][14]


The company also operated other paintball-related businesses and publications.
For 2004, Amateur became Division I, Novice became Division II and Rookie became Division III. The league also announced seven-minute games.[14]


=== 2008 bankruptcy ===
In 2005, Professional became a restricted eighteen-team division. Professional teams competed exclusively against one another, while Semi-Pro provided an open-entry route towards professional status. The system offered promotion to the leading three Semi-Pro teams and relegated the bottom three professional teams.[15]


In December 2008, Pacific Paintball announced that it and its subsidiaries would seek liquidation under the United States Bankruptcy Code.
Dynasty won the first six Super 7 professional season championships, covering 2003–2008. Its 2006 championship was decided by two points over [[Sacramento XSV]], despite Dynasty winning only the season finale that year.[16][17]


The affected businesses included NPPL LLC, XPSL LLC, PB2X LLC and several paintball field operations.[8]
=== Pacific Paintball, 2007–2008 ===


The liquidation ended that version of the NPPL organisation.
In January 2007, Pacific Paintball LLC acquired the NPPL and the [[Xtreme Paintball Sports League]] (XPSL). Shawn Walker became president of Pacific Paintball.[18]


The announcement followed financial difficulties and unsuccessful efforts to obtain additional funding during the broader economic downturn.
The 2007 season included an initially shared professional first place at Kansas City. [[Los Angeles Ironmen]] and [[Edmonton Impact]] declined the prescribed tie-breaker after their championship contest ended level. The postponed one-on-one was subsequently played at the Commander's Cup, giving Ironmen first place and Impact second.[19]


=== US Paintball League and NPPL revival ===
In 2008, four of the five scheduled national events took place. The Houston Open, scheduled for 19–21 September at Reliant Stadium, was cancelled following Hurricane Ike.[20][21]


Following the collapse of Pacific Paintball, a group of 16 professional teams established the [[US Paintball League]] (USPL) in January 2009.
Dynasty won the San Diego finale and its sixth consecutive Super 7 professional championship. The other series champions were Arsenal Evolution in Semi-Pro, Aftermath II in Division I, Miami Rage in Division II and CS Union in Division III.[17]


The new organisation retained seven-man competition and appointed former NPPL president Chuck Hendsch as commissioner.[9]
On 2 December 2008, WARPIG reported that Pacific Paintball and its subsidiaries had announced plans to enter bankruptcy proceedings to liquidate their assets and business operations. The announcement included NPPL LLC, XPSL LLC, PB2X LLC and associated field businesses. The company cited financial difficulties and unsuccessful efforts to obtain further investment.[3]


Its inaugural tournament was held at Huntington Beach on 3–5 April 2009, with [[DC Arsenal]] winning the professional division.[9]
=== US Paintball League and return of the NPPL name ===


Although the USPL continued elements of the former NPPL competition, it initially operated as a separate organisation.
Following Pacific Paintball's collapse, the [[US Paintball League]] organised a new tournament programme in 2009. WARPIG described it as a team-operated league centred on sixteen professional teams, under Chuck Hendsch's leadership.[22]


The USPL subsequently obtained the rights to the NPPL name, and the tournament circuit returned to NPPL branding for the 2010 season.[10]
The USPL retained seven-player competition and used an adapted version of the preceding NPPL rules. Its inaugural tournament took place at Huntington Beach on 3–5 April 2009.[22]


=== Final seasons ===
The USPL subsequently obtained rights to the NPPL name. The circuit returned to NPPL branding for 2010, with seven-player, five-player and pump competition represented at Huntington Beach.[23]


The NPPL continued operating national seven-man tournaments through 2013.
The 2009 USPL season forms part of the history of the later NPPL circuit, but belonged to a newly established organisation rather than the liquidating Pacific Paintball company.[22][23]


By its final season, the league faced competition from PSP and declining participation among established professional teams.[4]
=== Later seasons, 2010–2013 ===


In February 2014, the NPPL announced that it would suspend its national tournament series for the year while undertaking organisational restructuring.
The revived NPPL continued national tournaments through 2013. Its programme included Huntington Beach, Chicago, the D.C. Challenge and Las Vegas championships during this period.[24][25]


The Huntington Beach tournament continued independently in 2014 under the Surf City Paintball Open name, organised by [[HK Army]].[11]
Competition formats continued to develop. By 2012, Professional used seven-player RaceTo-5, while Division I used seven-player RaceTo-4. Traditional seven-player, five-player and pump formats remained available in other classifications.[24]


A further NPPL revival was announced in 2016, with plans to introduce a new national seven-man series in 2017. However, the first scheduled tournament was cancelled in February 2017, and the proposed programme did not restore the former national circuit.[12]
XSV won the 2012 professional series championship. Dynasty won that year's Las Vegas finale, illustrating the distinction between an event championship and the season title.[25]


== Competition formats ==
The professional field changed substantially for 2013. Contemporary reporting identified only seven returning teams from the preceding season and departures including XSV, Tampa Bay Damage, Edmonton Impact and Los Angeles Infamous, which concentrated on PSP competition.[26]


=== Ten-man competition ===
=== Hiatus and subsequent revival proposal ===


The original NPPL competition predominantly used 10-man capture-the-flag rules.
In February 2014, the NPPL announced a restructuring hiatus; Huntington Beach continued independently with help from [[HK Army]].[5]


Teams competed on large playing fields, initially incorporating natural woodland obstacles and later including purpose-built tournament fields.
A further revival was announced in September 2016, with plans for seven-player events in 2017. The first scheduled tournament was subsequently cancelled in February 2017.[27]


Tournament results contributed to national season rankings, with participating teams competing for event prizes and annual championships.
== Competition and classifications ==


The NPPL 10-man era is documented in surviving results covering the 1993–2002 seasons.[2]
The NPPL's formats and classifications changed over time and should be identified by season.


=== Super 7 ===
{| class="wikitable"
! Period !! Principal competition arrangements
|-
| 1993–2002
| National ten-player competition, with five-player tournaments also offered
|-
| 2003
| Super 7 introduced Professional, Amateur, Novice and Rookie classifications
|-
| 2004
| Amateur, Novice and Rookie renamed Divisions I, II and III
|-
| From 2005
| Restricted Professional division and open-entry Semi-Pro classification
|-
| 2009–2010
| USPL and revived NPPL programmes included seven-player and five-player competition; pump competition was also offered
|-
| By 2012
| Professional and Division I used seven-player RaceTo formats alongside other divisional formats
|}


From 2003, the NPPL's principal format was seven-man paintball.
Sources: contemporary reports and league announcements.[4][14][15][22][23][24]


Games were played between two teams of seven players on symmetrical tournament fields, generally using inflatable bunkers and a two-flag scoring system.
Early Super 7 games awarded points for eliminations, surviving players, flag pulls and flag hangs. Tournament progression and tie-break procedures changed over time, as did the contribution of outside events to season rankings.[13][18]


Teams received points for eliminating opponents, retaining active players and capturing or hanging flags.
== Seasons ==


Events typically featured preliminary rounds followed by elimination stages, with season rankings determined through results at multiple tournaments.
Individual season articles provide calendars, tournament results and documented championship information.


The Super 7 World Series included professional and lower competitive divisions. The division structure changed over time, with professional, semi-professional and several amateur classifications used during different seasons.[7][13]
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Period !! Seasons
== Notable events ==
|-
 
| Original ten-player circuit
Major tournaments associated with the NPPL included:
| [[1993 NPPL season|1993]] · [[1994 NPPL season|1994]] · [[1995 NPPL season|1995]] · [[1996 NPPL season|1996]] · [[1997 NPPL season|1997]] · [[1998 NPPL season|1998]] · [[1999 NPPL season|1999]] · [[2000 NPPL season|2000]] · [[2001 NPPL season|2001]] · [[2002 NPPL season|2002]]
 
|-
* '''[[NPPL Huntington Beach Open]]:''' The beachside California tournament established in 2003 as the opening event of the Super 7 World Series.
| Original Super 7 organisation
* '''Chicago Open:''' A longstanding tournament associated with both the original 10-man circuit and the later Super 7 series.
| [[2003 NPPL season|2003]] · [[2004 NPPL season|2004]] · [[2005 NPPL season|2005]] · [[2006 NPPL season|2006]] · [[2007 NPPL season|2007]] · [[2008 NPPL season|2008]]
* '''Las Vegas Open:''' A recurring national tournament and championship venue.
|-
* '''Boston Open:''' A tournament held during both the 10-man and Super 7 periods, including the 2006 event at Gillette Stadium.
| USPL
* '''[[Paintball World Cup]]:''' A major tournament associated with the original NPPL circuit before the separation from PSP.
| [[2009 USPL season|2009]]
|-
| Revived NPPL
| [[2010 NPPL season|2010]] · [[2011 NPPL season|2011]] · [[2012 NPPL season|2012]] · [[2013 NPPL season|2013]]
|}


== Historical records ==
== Historical records ==


Tournament results from the NPPL's 10-man and Super 7 periods survive through contemporary paintball publications and archival databases.
Contemporary tournament reports, scoreboards and season rankings survive through [[WARPIG]], paintball publications and other archives. ClassicScores and Paintball Win Count also preserve historical results.[2][6]


[[WARPIG]] maintained event coverage including scores, rankings, photographs and tournament reports during both periods.
Event winners, season champions and results later revised by league decisions are separate records. The 2007 Kansas City professional final is one example where the initially published result was subsequently resolved.[19]
 
''Paintball Win Count'' maintains historical professional tournament indexes covering the NPPL 10-man circuit from 1993 to 2002 and the Super 7 series from 2003 to 2013.[2][4]
 
Some early tournament records remain incomplete, particularly for individual match results and lower competitive divisions.


== See also ==
== See also ==


* [[NPPL Super 7]]
* [[US Paintball League]]
* [[Paintball Sports Promotions]]
* [[Paintball Sports Promotions]]
* [[National Xball League]]
* [[National Xball League]]
* [[US Paintball League]]
* [[Millennium Series]]
* [[NPPL Huntington Beach Open]]
* [[Paintball World Cup]]
* [[Paintball World Cup]]
* [[WARPIG]]
* [[Paintball in the United States]]


== References ==
== References ==


# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/news/nppl_split.shtml NPPL League and Promoters Split]. ''WARPIG'', Bill Mills, March 2002. Contemporary reporting on the original NPPL structure, governance and dispute with PSP.
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/news/nppl_split.shtml Bill Mills, “NPPL League and Promoters Split”. WARPIG, March 2002.]
# [https://www.paintballwincount.com/nppl-10-man NPPL 10 Man League]. ''Paintball Win Count''. Historical event and championship index, 1993–2002.
# [https://www.paintballwincount.com/nppl-10-man “NPPL 10 Man League”. Paintball Win Count. Historical professional results index, 1993–2002.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/news/111802_pspdates.shtml PSP Sets 2003 Dates]. ''WARPIG'', Bill Mills, November 2002. Account of corporate restructuring, the NPPL name dispute and separate 2003 competition plans.
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/articles/news/nppl_liquidation_02Nov08.shtml “NPPL to Be Liquidated”. WARPIG, 2 December 2008.]
# [https://www.paintballwincount.com/nppl-super-7 NPPL Super 7 Series]. ''Paintball Win Count''. Historical professional tournament index, 2003–2013.
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2003/HuntingtonBeach/index.shtml “Huntington Beach NPPL 2003”. WARPIG, 7–9 February 2003.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2003/HuntingtonBeach/index.shtml Huntington Beach NPPL 2003]. ''WARPIG'', February 2003. Contemporary coverage and results of the inaugural Super 7 tournament.
# [https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/tn-dpt-xpm-2014-04-08-tn-hbi-me-0410-paintball-20140408-story.html Anthony Clark Carpio, “Paintball Tournament Smaller but Still a Blast”. Los Angeles Times, 8 April 2014.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/pressreleases/automated/122903nppl.shtml NPPL Annual Meeting]. ''WARPIG'', National Professional Paintball League, 6 December 2003. Review of the inaugural Super 7 season and television programming.
# [https://www.classicscores.com/ ClassicScores. Historical tournament results archive.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2007/hb/ NPPL Huntington Beach 2007]. ''WARPIG'', March 2007. Coverage of Pacific Paintball's acquisition, league rule changes and historical professional results.
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2001/atlantic/index.shtml “Atlantic City NPPL — Gambler's Open”. WARPIG, August 2001.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/news/nppl_liquidation_02Nov08.shtml NPPL to be Liquidated]. ''WARPIG'', Bill Mills, 2 December 2008. Contemporary report reproducing the liquidation announcement.
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2002/worldcup/index.shtml “PSP/NPPL World Cup 2002”. WARPIG, October 2002.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/uspl/2009/hb/ USPL Huntington Beach 2009]. ''WARPIG'', 3–5 April 2009. Coverage of the new US Paintball League and tournament results.
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/news/111802_pspdates.shtml Bill Mills, “PSP Sets 2003 Dates”. WARPIG, November 2002.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/uspl/2010/hb/ Huntington Beach 2010]. ''WARPIG'', 2010. Coverage of the restored NPPL branding and competition.
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2001/worldcup/index.shtml “NPPL World Cup 2001”. WARPIG, October 2001.]
# [https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/ocnow/tn-hbi-me-0410-paintball-20140408-story.html Paintball Tournament Smaller but Still a Blast]. ''Los Angeles Times'', Anthony Clark Carpio, 8 April 2014. Contemporary report on the NPPL's announced suspension and the independent Huntington Beach event.
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/news/052202_NPPL_PSP_rejoin.shtml Bill Mills, “NPPL and PSP Get Back Together”. WARPIG, 22 May 2002.]
# [https://paintballruinedmylife.com/2016/09/05/nppl-will-be-back-in-2017/ NPPL Will Be Back in 2017]. ''Paintball Ruined My Life'', Brad Johnson, 5 September 2016, updated February 2017.
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2002/ranking/ranking.shtml “NPPL Ranking 2002”. WARPIG.]
# [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/professional-paintball-tournament-takes-over-huntington-beach-ca-202018811.html Professional Paintball Tournament Takes Over Huntington Beach]. ''National Professional Paintball League'', press release, 8 April 2013.
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2003/miami/index.shtml “NPPL Super Seven — Commander's Cup 2003”. WARPIG, November 2003.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/pressreleases/automated/122903nppl.shtml National Professional Paintball League, “NPPL Annual Meeting”. Review of the meeting held on 6 December 2003, published by WARPIG.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2005/hb/ “NPPL Huntington Beach”. WARPIG, 18–20 March 2005.]
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2006/oc/ “NPPL Commander's Cup”. WARPIG, 20–22 October 2006.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2008/sd/ “NPPL San Diego”. WARPIG, 14–16 November 2008.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2007/hb/ “NPPL Huntington Beach”. WARPIG, 23–25 March 2007.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2007/sd/ Dawn Mills, “NPPL Commander's Cup”. WARPIG, 30 November–2 December 2007.]
# [https://spiderpainballgun.blogspot.com/2007/12/ National Professional Paintball League, “NPPL 2008 Dates and Venues”. Announcement reproduced on 21 December 2007.]
# [https://seburo.blogspot.com/2008/09/bad-month-for-paintball-nppl-houston.html?m=0 SEBURO, “Bad Month for Paintball. NPPL Houston Cancelled”. 16 September 2008.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/uspl/2009/hb/ “USPL Huntington Beach”. WARPIG, 3–5 April 2009.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/uspl/2010/hb/ “Huntington Beach”. WARPIG, 9–11 April 2010. Includes the acquisition of rights to the NPPL name.]
# [https://www.socialpaintball.com/2012/03/31/nppl-surf-city-usa-open-friday-coverage-and-photos/ Bea Paxson, “NPPL Surf City USA Open — Friday Coverage and Photos”. Social Paintball, 31 March 2012.]
# [https://www.socialpaintball.com/2012/10/08/san-diego-dynasty-wins-the-2012-nppl-world-paintball-championships/ Bea Paxson, “San Diego Dynasty Wins the 2012 NPPL World Paintball Championships”. Social Paintball, 8 October 2012.]
# [https://www.socialpaintball.com/2013/04/13/new-blood-in-the-nppl-pro-division/ Tim Cerruti, “New Blood in the NPPL Pro Division”. Social Paintball, 13 April 2013.]
# [https://paintballruinedmylife.com/2016/09/05/nppl-will-be-back-in-2017/ Brad Johnson, “NPPL Will Be Back in 2017”. Paintball Ruined My Life, 5 September 2016, updated 21 February 2017.]


== External links ==
== External links ==


* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.nppl.com/ NPPL official website archives]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.nppl.com/ Archived NPPL website]
* [https://www.paintballwincount.com/nppl-10-man NPPL 10-man historical results]
* [https://www.paintballwincount.com/nppl-10-man NPPL ten-player historical results]
* [https://www.paintballwincount.com/nppl-super-7 NPPL Super 7 historical results]
* [https://www.paintballwincount.com/nppl-super-7 NPPL Super 7 historical results]
* [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/ WARPIG tournament archives]
* [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/tournament/tournament.shtml WARPIG tournament archives]


[[Category:Paintball leagues]]
[[Category:Paintball leagues]]
[[Category:Paintball tournaments]]
[[Category:Paintball tournaments]]
[[Category:Paintball in the United States]]
[[Category:Paintball in the United States]]

Latest revision as of 13:30, 1 November 2026

The National Professional Paintball League (NPPL) was an American paintball tournament league whose name was used by successive organisations from the early 1990s. Its history encompassed the original team-owned league, the ten-player national circuit, the Super 7 World Series, and a later tournament programme that adopted the NPPL name following the formation of the US Paintball League.[1][2][3]

The original circuit held national ten-player tournaments from 1993 to 2002, alongside five-player competition. Following its separation from Paintball Sports Promotions (PSP), the NPPL introduced Super 7 in 2003. National competition continued under different ownership and organisational arrangements through 2013, followed by an announced hiatus in 2014.[2][3][4][5]

History

[edit]

Origins and the ten-player circuit

[edit]

The NPPL developed from efforts by professional and amateur team captains to obtain greater control over tournament costs, rules, refereeing and event standards. Their concerns included the quality of existing tournaments and requirements to purchase paintballs from event organisers.[1]

The original organisation was a corporation owned by participating teams. It sanctioned tournaments produced by independent promoters rather than directly organising every event. League requirements addressed entry fees, minimum prizes, field design and playing rules. Bring-your-own-paint competition was a central principle.[1]

The first national season was held in 1993. During the 1990s, the circuit included events in California, Texas, Pennsylvania, Illinois and other states, with World Cup becoming a recurring season-ending tournament.[2][6]

The tournament programme changed between seasons. The fourth stop, for example, moved through Atlanta, Portland, Boston and Nashville before becoming the Atlantic City event in 2001.[7]

Playing environments also changed. World Cup introduced a Hyperball field in 1996 and a Sup'Air field in 1997. By 2002, its conventional tournament fields used inflatable bunkers throughout.[8]

Reorganisation and PSP's formation

[edit]

During the late 1990s, declining participation in league administration left the tournament promoters carrying out much of its practical work. The original New York corporation was dissolved by the state in August 1999, although tournaments continued using the NPPL name.[1][9]

In 2001, the separate event promoters combined to form Paintball Sports Promotions. Their joint organisation pooled resources for tournament production and infrastructure. The NPPL continued as the sanctioning and rule-making organisation.[1][7]

Player representatives also worked to restructure the league. Tom Cole was confirmed as president and Chuck Hendsch as vice-president at Gettysburg. Cole subsequently resigned, Hendsch assumed the presidency, and a new California corporation, National Professional Paintball League, Inc., was formed.[9]

The 2001 professional series championship went to Aftershock. In 2002, San Diego Dynasty and the Southern California Ironmen shared the professional ten-player championship.[8][10]

Separation from PSP

[edit]

Relations between the NPPL and PSP deteriorated during 2002. Disagreements concerned sanctioning fees, contractual exclusivity, league governance and the accountability of promoters.[1][11]

The Los Angeles Open operated with NPPL sanctioning before a season agreement had been completed. Las Vegas was promoted as a PSP event without NPPL branding. Although NPPL officials initially said its results would count, subsequent contemporary reports described it as unsanctioned. Las Vegas nevertheless appeared in the final NPPL season rankings.[11][12]

An agreement announced on 21 May restored NPPL sanctioning for Chicago, Atlantic City and World Cup. The organisations subsequently developed separate programmes for 2003.[9][11]

The separation initially produced competing uses of the NPPL name. PSP retained control of NPPL.com and asserted rights arising from its promoters' previous use of the name, while Hendsch's organisation promoted its new seven-player series separately.[9]

PSP continued five-player and ten-player tournaments and introduced X-Ball, including competition associated with the original National Xball League. The NPPL's new programme was produced with WDP and its event company, Pure Promotions.[4][9]

Super 7 World Series, 2003–2006

[edit]

The inaugural Super 7 tournament took place at Huntington Beach, California, from 7 to 9 February 2003. Pure Promotions constructed playing fields on the beach beside the pier, with spectator facilities and a trade exhibition. Dynasty won Professional.[4]

The first season comprised five American events: Huntington Beach, Las Vegas, Chicago, New Jersey and the Commander's Cup in Miami. Selected European tournament results could also contribute to NPPL series rankings.[13]

The series subsequently used venues including stadium grounds, practice fields, fairgrounds and beachfront sites. Its event presentation incorporated spectator grandstands, individual team staging areas, trade shows and television production.[4][14]

For 2004, Amateur became Division I, Novice became Division II and Rookie became Division III. The league also announced seven-minute games.[14]

In 2005, Professional became a restricted eighteen-team division. Professional teams competed exclusively against one another, while Semi-Pro provided an open-entry route towards professional status. The system offered promotion to the leading three Semi-Pro teams and relegated the bottom three professional teams.[15]

Dynasty won the first six Super 7 professional season championships, covering 2003–2008. Its 2006 championship was decided by two points over Sacramento XSV, despite Dynasty winning only the season finale that year.[16][17]

Pacific Paintball, 2007–2008

[edit]

In January 2007, Pacific Paintball LLC acquired the NPPL and the Xtreme Paintball Sports League (XPSL). Shawn Walker became president of Pacific Paintball.[18]

The 2007 season included an initially shared professional first place at Kansas City. Los Angeles Ironmen and Edmonton Impact declined the prescribed tie-breaker after their championship contest ended level. The postponed one-on-one was subsequently played at the Commander's Cup, giving Ironmen first place and Impact second.[19]

In 2008, four of the five scheduled national events took place. The Houston Open, scheduled for 19–21 September at Reliant Stadium, was cancelled following Hurricane Ike.[20][21]

Dynasty won the San Diego finale and its sixth consecutive Super 7 professional championship. The other series champions were Arsenal Evolution in Semi-Pro, Aftermath II in Division I, Miami Rage in Division II and CS Union in Division III.[17]

On 2 December 2008, WARPIG reported that Pacific Paintball and its subsidiaries had announced plans to enter bankruptcy proceedings to liquidate their assets and business operations. The announcement included NPPL LLC, XPSL LLC, PB2X LLC and associated field businesses. The company cited financial difficulties and unsuccessful efforts to obtain further investment.[3]

US Paintball League and return of the NPPL name

[edit]

Following Pacific Paintball's collapse, the US Paintball League organised a new tournament programme in 2009. WARPIG described it as a team-operated league centred on sixteen professional teams, under Chuck Hendsch's leadership.[22]

The USPL retained seven-player competition and used an adapted version of the preceding NPPL rules. Its inaugural tournament took place at Huntington Beach on 3–5 April 2009.[22]

The USPL subsequently obtained rights to the NPPL name. The circuit returned to NPPL branding for 2010, with seven-player, five-player and pump competition represented at Huntington Beach.[23]

The 2009 USPL season forms part of the history of the later NPPL circuit, but belonged to a newly established organisation rather than the liquidating Pacific Paintball company.[22][23]

Later seasons, 2010–2013

[edit]

The revived NPPL continued national tournaments through 2013. Its programme included Huntington Beach, Chicago, the D.C. Challenge and Las Vegas championships during this period.[24][25]

Competition formats continued to develop. By 2012, Professional used seven-player RaceTo-5, while Division I used seven-player RaceTo-4. Traditional seven-player, five-player and pump formats remained available in other classifications.[24]

XSV won the 2012 professional series championship. Dynasty won that year's Las Vegas finale, illustrating the distinction between an event championship and the season title.[25]

The professional field changed substantially for 2013. Contemporary reporting identified only seven returning teams from the preceding season and departures including XSV, Tampa Bay Damage, Edmonton Impact and Los Angeles Infamous, which concentrated on PSP competition.[26]

Hiatus and subsequent revival proposal

[edit]

In February 2014, the NPPL announced a restructuring hiatus; Huntington Beach continued independently with help from HK Army.[5]

A further revival was announced in September 2016, with plans for seven-player events in 2017. The first scheduled tournament was subsequently cancelled in February 2017.[27]

Competition and classifications

[edit]

The NPPL's formats and classifications changed over time and should be identified by season.

Period Principal competition arrangements
1993–2002 National ten-player competition, with five-player tournaments also offered
2003 Super 7 introduced Professional, Amateur, Novice and Rookie classifications
2004 Amateur, Novice and Rookie renamed Divisions I, II and III
From 2005 Restricted Professional division and open-entry Semi-Pro classification
2009–2010 USPL and revived NPPL programmes included seven-player and five-player competition; pump competition was also offered
By 2012 Professional and Division I used seven-player RaceTo formats alongside other divisional formats

Sources: contemporary reports and league announcements.[4][14][15][22][23][24]

Early Super 7 games awarded points for eliminations, surviving players, flag pulls and flag hangs. Tournament progression and tie-break procedures changed over time, as did the contribution of outside events to season rankings.[13][18]

Seasons

[edit]

Individual season articles provide calendars, tournament results and documented championship information.

Period Seasons
Original ten-player circuit 1993 · 1994 · 1995 · 1996 · 1997 · 1998 · 1999 · 2000 · 2001 · 2002
Original Super 7 organisation 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008
USPL 2009
Revived NPPL 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013

Historical records

[edit]

Contemporary tournament reports, scoreboards and season rankings survive through WARPIG, paintball publications and other archives. ClassicScores and Paintball Win Count also preserve historical results.[2][6]

Event winners, season champions and results later revised by league decisions are separate records. The 2007 Kansas City professional final is one example where the initially published result was subsequently resolved.[19]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. Bill Mills, “NPPL League and Promoters Split”. WARPIG, March 2002.
  2. “NPPL 10 Man League”. Paintball Win Count. Historical professional results index, 1993–2002.
  3. “NPPL to Be Liquidated”. WARPIG, 2 December 2008.
  4. “Huntington Beach NPPL 2003”. WARPIG, 7–9 February 2003.
  5. Anthony Clark Carpio, “Paintball Tournament Smaller but Still a Blast”. Los Angeles Times, 8 April 2014.
  6. ClassicScores. Historical tournament results archive.
  7. “Atlantic City NPPL — Gambler's Open”. WARPIG, August 2001.
  8. “PSP/NPPL World Cup 2002”. WARPIG, October 2002.
  9. Bill Mills, “PSP Sets 2003 Dates”. WARPIG, November 2002.
  10. “NPPL World Cup 2001”. WARPIG, October 2001.
  11. Bill Mills, “NPPL and PSP Get Back Together”. WARPIG, 22 May 2002.
  12. “NPPL Ranking 2002”. WARPIG.
  13. “NPPL Super Seven — Commander's Cup 2003”. WARPIG, November 2003.
  14. National Professional Paintball League, “NPPL Annual Meeting”. Review of the meeting held on 6 December 2003, published by WARPIG.
  15. “NPPL Huntington Beach”. WARPIG, 18–20 March 2005.
  16. “NPPL Commander's Cup”. WARPIG, 20–22 October 2006.
  17. “NPPL San Diego”. WARPIG, 14–16 November 2008.
  18. “NPPL Huntington Beach”. WARPIG, 23–25 March 2007.
  19. Dawn Mills, “NPPL Commander's Cup”. WARPIG, 30 November–2 December 2007.
  20. National Professional Paintball League, “NPPL 2008 Dates and Venues”. Announcement reproduced on 21 December 2007.
  21. SEBURO, “Bad Month for Paintball. NPPL Houston Cancelled”. 16 September 2008.
  22. “USPL Huntington Beach”. WARPIG, 3–5 April 2009.
  23. “Huntington Beach”. WARPIG, 9–11 April 2010. Includes the acquisition of rights to the NPPL name.
  24. Bea Paxson, “NPPL Surf City USA Open — Friday Coverage and Photos”. Social Paintball, 31 March 2012.
  25. Bea Paxson, “San Diego Dynasty Wins the 2012 NPPL World Paintball Championships”. Social Paintball, 8 October 2012.
  26. Tim Cerruti, “New Blood in the NPPL Pro Division”. Social Paintball, 13 April 2013.
  27. Brad Johnson, “NPPL Will Be Back in 2017”. Paintball Ruined My Life, 5 September 2016, updated 21 February 2017.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://www.wikipaintball.com/index.php?title=National_Professional_Paintball_League&oldid=4347"